To no one's surprise, the unelected members of the Canadian Senate, the self proclaimed defenders of democracy, are placing self interest before public weal.

Their latest caper is to fend off efforts to create an office of Senate ethics.

"An office of what?"

Senate ethics.

"Surely you joke!"

No way. The outgoing Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien, who appointed over seventy unelected Senators, had a twinge of conscience during his last weeks in office, and pressed mightily for the appointment of real ethics overseers for both the Senate and the House of Commons as part of his political legacy.

The Commons was disposed to favour the idea. But the Senate balked, stubborn as a mule.

"Declare what we own? Show what we control? Reveal our assets? Strip us of our privacy? We aren't in the striptease business. We are Senators!

Let those mugs over in the Commons worry about ethics. We are Senators!

Transparency is for the Lower House. We are the Upper House. We are Senators!"

What about the democratic deficit?

"The democratic what? Don't talk nonsense. We are the real defenders of democracy. We are Senators!"

Did you ever think of resigning if Senators are forced to reveal their assets? You know, on a point of principle.

"On a point of what? Are you mad? Only Commoners resign on points of principle.

We are Senators! Can't you get that into your head? We are Senators! We have been appointed. Nobody elected us. We are not answerable to any vulgar electorate. You can't touch us! You daren't touch us!"

--30--