This editorial was featured on NL Radio in Kamloops, on Monday, August 12, 2013.

It’s August, and politicians are detoxing after months of endless paper and divisive debate. City Council is on a break, the Legislature on hiatus, the House of Commons in recess. Like a fog lifting, the partisan rhetoric around them is clearing up.

These politicians will be out and about at various events in the coming weeks, shaking hands and kissing babies. August is a taxpayer’s best chance to bend their ear – and actually have them listen to us.

So let’s get to work, taxpayers. When you run into Cathy McLeod, ask her what the Conservatives are doing with the Senate expenses mess. Challenge her on why we even need an unelected, unaccountable body like the Senate in the first place. What value do Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau and Mac Harb really deliver for everyday Canadians?

When you see Terry Lake and Todd Stone, ask them why the Pacific Carbon Trust isn’t the first program to go under the BC Liberals’ core review. How can they support sucking $1.4 million out of Interior Health hospitals and Kamloops schools, and handing that cash over to some of the biggest companies in B.C.?

When you run into city council – especially Nancy Bepple – don’t forget to remind them how they broke faith with voters by giving themselves a pay raise in the middle of their term. They knew the salary that came with the job they were running for – why didn’t they debate it during that election campaign? And if they give you a line about Kamloops councillors being underpaid compared to other B.C. cities, challenge them to go run for office in those other communities. If they’re not willing to move, any comparison of salary is irrelevant.

In August, it’s our turn – taxpayers’ turn – to remind politicians who’s boss.

For NL Radio, I’m Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.