The Editor,

Re: "Politicians embarrassing democracy," the Now, July 5.

While I agree with most of Michael Booth's comments, I take some exception to his minimization of Bev "the poster child for spending excesses" Oda's offence.

In terms of the dollar amount, of course a $16 glass of orange juice is nothing compared to $20 million to commemorate the War of 1812. Whether the war is worthy of any commemoration or not, regardless

of the price tag, is debatable. But, right or wrong, spending $20 million was "a government" decision, whereas most of Bev Oda's offences were, apparently, unilateral individual/personal decisions.

Bottom line: The degree to which we are offended should have little to do with the dollar figure and much more to do with the principle.

Errol E. Povah, Delta