Just a note in response to the many requests for me to clarify my statements published in The Morning Star Anti-HST Provincial Public Protest Rally article stating that I think it needs to go to a government referendum, both federally and provincially, instead of allowing it to be rammed down our throats like all previous bad politics.

In the majority of legitimate, democratic governments, all public policy proposals are put before the government house for careful constitutional considerations and/or then put to a free vote of all the duly elected representatives of the people.

If this cannot be done, and/or there is no legitimate reason for it being forced upon the majority, then it must be put to the people in the form of a government referendum by all levels trying to impose it on the majority.

By all accurate available information, I believe that the Harmonized Sales Tax has yet to reach either federal and/or provincial government houses. I also sense that it could/should/would be a very good idea to make these government referendums into people-powered, public confidence votes on both governments.

If you just let them get away with bad politics now, who knows what they will ram down our throats next and/or how hard it will be to stop them because you made it so easy this time. I am also concerned that this bad politics will later be thrown out by either justice systems and be a huge waste of government money on all levels.

The only way I sense this has any chance of working is if the "Poor Majority" that results from all this bad politics is given Third World status and be allowed to apply to the United Nations for financial assistance.

Bruce Gurnsey

angry voter

Eric Foster has joined the trough, along with all the other politicians, and can now comment on things he knows nothing about, and also try to look intelligent with his buddy, Campbell.

So Buffy Baumbrough needs more money to attend meetings. Anyone getting into local politics should know what it takes and the time it takes before putting their hand up to get elected.

Unfortunately, if you are a do-gooder and get on to every committee, it will take lots of your time.

All these meetings make me wonder what is really accomplished. Nothing is my best bet, so Mr. Mayors of Vernon, Coldstream and all those other crazy boards, committees, areas and the such, stop them.

Everyone get to work and accomplish something.

The extra money paid out for useless meetings could be put to fixing up the North Vernon Visitor Centre for next summer. Now there's a no-brainer — no visitor centre entering Vernon, no wonder tourists pass through.

Imagine how much your taxes could drop if we got rid of some councils, boards, NORD, GVSC, and the list goes on. That would mean fewer $100,000 a year bureaucrats and $30 per hour employees. Also, there wouldn't be so many committees working on the same thing, accomplishing nothing.

Ever wondered why we are short of water? Really, there's no shortage, just a shortage of infrastructure to contain the water, but nobody would think to plan ahead.

The landfills are an eyesore and filling up quickly, but is anyone looking at alternatives? I think not. These bureaucrats are satisfied to sit back, collect their hefty salaries and do little until another position becomes available in another location with more money.

Not to worry though, we'll sit back and let things ride. Really, what can we do other than be like me and write useless letters and, no, I don't want to run for council because I would get frustrated and want to quit like one good Vernon councillor did.

There are a few good councillors left in Vernon. In Coldstream, there are a bunch of lame duck councillors that do nothing and a mayor who is trying, I guess.

Jeff Miller

appreciates column

Although I may not always agree with your (Richard Rolke) viewpoints, I take off the proverbial hat to you for your frankness regarding your anxiety – you are braver than most of us.

Helene Morgan