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Exposing big lies

Bravo to Sidney Green and the Free Press for speaking and printing the truth (The value of public spending, June 16).

First, Green exposed the big lie that wars end recessions and depressions. Government spending ends recessions, and that is the point he so clearly makes. We don't have to make tanks, guns and bullets to end economic stagnation, but we should spend money on education and infrastructure.

Second, Green attacks head on the unbelievable notion that you can end a recession through cutbacks. Even a novice student of economics sees the absurdity of this notion.

Cutbacks create unemployment and hence reduce spending. Remember John Maynard Keynes? This increase in unemployment increases inequality. Witness the omnibus bill war in Ottawa.

To be sure, Green's is a voice in the wilderness. That's how big lies work. They are perpetuated by huge monied interests and the political parties that represent them. Dissenting views are rarely featured in the media and honest debate is suppressed. Believers in more government spending and higher taxes for the rich are branded as socialists, and we wouldn't want socialism, would we?

BOB MILAN

Winnipeg

Bearing the truth

Animal rights activists decry province's release of bear cub (June 20). Makoon the bear cub has only himself to blame for his exile. He forgot the most important rule of government officials -- if you want something from our provincial government, you have to supply Jets tickets.

The only explanation I can give as to why he did not offer this incentive is he that was an honest cub. Notice I said "was." The bush does not take any prisoners if you cannot fight back.

JACK MARTIN

Winnipeg

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I think that we should accept the experts' opinion of when to release a wild animal back into its natural environment. In the same way, we should accept the expert opinion of when to release a puppy back into its natural domestic environment.

Trust, or at least try to trust, the experts. No one wants either animal to fail when released into its natural environment, but timing, I think, means the difference between survival and failure.

KAT THOMPSON

Winnipeg

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Why has no one tied this government's hypocritical stance on this wildlife and nature issue to their "holier than thou" stance on wildlife and nature when trying to defend their ludicrous decisions on the hydro line paths?

ROB WALKER

Winnipeg

Uninformed policy

Moira Honey asks the question, "Have city-dwellers become so far removed from our food sources that this could actually occur at a garden centre?" (Food for thought, Letters, June 14).

To answer; yes, and then some. As a food producer, what concerns me even more is that some of these uninformed individuals will get into politics and become our future leaders, dictating policy as to how our food is to be produced. Oh, it's too late, it's already happened.

MICHAEL CISZEWSKI

Sandy Hook

Time for debate

In their June 18 letters (Undemocratic action), Gerri Thorsteinson and Doreen Kerr deride Bill C-38 as overreaching and undemocratic. They tell us that the bill is too large to debate but produce no reason why this is so.

The bill was introduced on Jan. 23, 2012. There were Commons debates at second reading on May 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 14. The standing committee on finance met to consider the bill on May 15, 16, 17, 28, 29, 30, 31, June 1, 4 and 5. The committee report was tabled June 7. The Commons met to consider the report June 11, 12 and 14. The bill still has to be presented for third reading in the Commons and then go to the Senate for full consideration there.

A dozen sound arguments, properly presented, could have swayed public opinion in favour of the opposition. Creating more than 800 motions to delete clauses from the bill was ridiculous. The highlight of the ensuing voting marathon was when Elizabeth May lost track of proceedings and found herself voting with the government.

Opposition members failed to capture public attention and support. They failed democracy through their inability to articulate reasons why the bill should not pass as presented. Democracy survived; the official opposition might not.

JOHN FELDSTED

Winnipeg

Good time to deal

Re: Eavesdropping in airports on hold: Toews (June 20). I am intrigued to read that the plan to eavesdrop on passenger conversations at airports is on hold until the federal privacy commissioner conducts a review. I trust the government is not really that interested in knowing whether I go to the bathroom one more time before boarding.

Since this news has been splattered across the pages of every major newspaper in the country, however, I'm sure individuals wishing to make a drug deal will head for the nearest airport.

VIC UNRUH

Winnipeg

Too quick to judge

We look at how the Greeks have handled their economy and wonder how they could be so stupid. They even hired experts to cook their books, and they surely had to know that the consequences would be bad, probably extremely bad, and possibly calamitous.

But maybe we're too quick to judge. The Government of Canada is cutting environmental research, and action on climate change is minimal. The oil companies have even hired experts to tell us climate change is imaginary.

And for years credible scientists have informed us that the consequences of inaction will be bad, probably extremely bad, and possibly calamitous. How stupid can we be?

HARTLEY STINSON

Winnipeg

Ignoring family pain

Re: Getting away with murder (June 16). So defence attorney Greg Brodsky admits to helping some criminals get away with murder. But he does not seem to consider what this does to victims' families.

Of course, Brodsky's excuse is that he finds and uses all the legal technicalities in our imperfect laws. Why doesn't he use his talents to help victims and their families get justice instead of giving more pain to the families?

No, that's the job of the prosecution and, he'll say, it's the fault of our lawmakers. But it still hurts.

ARSENIO HUYPUNGCO

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 21, 2012 A15