JUNE 9, 2009

       I’ve taken a couple shots at the government lately and it looks like I’m not alone in my thoughts.

       Lots of emails from people agreeing with my beliefs, and some people agreeing with me on my thoughts but disagreeing with how non-fired up I am about the whole thing.

       People are outraged governments have been flip flopping lately. In this column I pointed out several examples but didn’t really lay into anybody in particular. Of course, I’m not saying I like getting screwed around by politicians, but after reading some of your messages I think I might need to change my pussycat approach.

       “For the reasons you mention in the (newspaper) and many more is why I refuse to file taxes and report to the government,” one unnamed writer said. “So many people are pissed about the public getting taken advantage of but it seems like our hands are tied. It’s sick we are powerless compared to these people we vote in (to office).”

       That’s a good point. But, doesn’t that make us the ones to blame then?

       Not according to another reader.

       “If we were more tuned into what the governments are doing with respect to our laws and decisions being made, perhaps we wouldn’t be so shocked,” said Sandra, who describes herself as a faithful reader of this paper.

       Sandra has a point, however, with the whole Manitoba birth certificate debacle, the government admitted to not mentioning the paperwork change. I will agree with Sandra that if we paid closer attention to what happens at the legislative building, we might not be so ignorant about what’s going on around us.

       Guilty! I’m just as much to blame. I was offered a job at Hansard, and prior to the phone call I’d never even heard of it. Have you heard of it? If not, look it up. After all, it involves the lives of you and your family.