Is there anybody in this country who isn't on the take?

OKAY, SO what's the next shoe to drop? Martin may have bought the NDP with $4.6-billion of your money, but to survive a vote of confidence -- if that is in fact his aim -- he has to bring all three of the independents on board. What's their price? Or are they even the issue?

CTV Ottawa bureau chief Bob Fife said while the Liberals appear to be languishing on the ropes: "Only a fool would count the Liberals out." Although they don't have enough votes on their own to stay alive, said Fife, "they control the purse strings and patronage." He said the Liberals aren't just hard at work wooing the three independents, but are even working on some Tory MPs.  "The Senate is called the pot of gold under the parliamentary rainbow," said Fife. "And they're working at offering some Tory MPs some Senate seats." One rumour on Parliament Hill last week was that some Trudeau-era Liberals were urging Martin to appoint some Tory MPs to the Senate to further lessen the chance of a successful non-confidence vote. "And certainly the Tories tell me they're worried about that happening," said Fife.

Jesus. I know I've mocked this idea before, but Fife's a serious journalist. It's not possible, is it? No one's that sleazy, right? ACTUALLY, YES THEY ARE: Burkean Canuck has more. PoliticsWatchDATE:

In other developments, speculation is growing around Ottawa about the possibility that Martin may use his patronage power to ensure he has enough votes to survive in the House until the fall.  That speculation grew after the prime minister wouldn't rule out appointing sitting Conservative MPs to the Senate or other government agencies in an interview with CanWest News.  "If you look at the senate appointments that we've made in the past, I think I was the first prime minister who appointed an NDPer," the PM said. "We appointed Conservatives in the past. So to a certain extent, I've already answered your question."

To a certain extent, yes.