After listening to Winnipeg South MP Reg Alcock's spin on the radio on behalf of his new boss PM Martin, one conclusion came to mind - politicians are clueless. When will they realize that what Canadians want most from government is value for their money and the need to feel comfortable with how their tax dollars are being spent It seems like a reasonable request, but falls on deaf ears of politicians at all three levels of government.

At this time of year, taxpayers are acutely aware of how much of their money is going to government and what little value they get in return. For Winnipeg residents paying some of the highest property taxes in the country, we get a Mayor that spends two million dollars on a toilet and a public relations campaign, while repeating the tiresome old mantra that they've cut costs to the bone. We are under a constant threat of tax increases, yet money abounds for street festivals, a controversial arena project and increased funding for arts and culture.

Provincially, Manitobans don't get an easy ride either as the NDP has given nanny-state a whole new meaning. In 2003 Tax Freedom Day (the day Canadians finally start working for themselves) fell on June 24th for Manitobans, three days later than in 2002. As we continue to pay some of the highest income taxes in Western Canada, Premier Doer stands on his publicly funded soapbox declaring that all is well in the world and Manitobans receive the best value for their money.

Alright Mr. Premier, here is your "value" litmus test: half a million dollars for an empty building, $35 million for laundry facilities, $300,000 for a sandwich factory, $9 million for a failing bus company, multi-million dollar package for a furniture company (run by one of the richest families in Manitoba), $48 million for ethanol plants and a $1 billion increase in health funding since 1999.

Now to the mother of all valueless scandals in recent Canadian history - $100 million of taxpayer's dollars siphoned to Liberal-friendly ad firms. The entire sponsorship scandal is playing out like a soap opera gone awry. The person left to clean up much of this fiasco, Winnipeg's own Reg Alcock (Paul Martin's "mop & pail guy" as Charles Adler aptly refers to him) has been up to his elbows in this mess for the past two weeks.

The newly anointed President of the Treasury Board has been defending his boss in Parliament, and has now vowed to protect federal employees if they offer information on misuse of public funds. But there is no actual whistle-blower legislation in place to protect all civil servants at all times. We will know that Reg Alcock and Paul Martin are serious about cleaning up Ottawa when they change the law to allow public servants to expose waste and report fraud without fear of losing their jobs.

So will taxpayers see any of this money returned Not likely. Meanwhile Manitobans will continue to work half the year to pay their taxes then watch millions wasted at city hall, ditto for the golden boy and billions up in Ottawa. Mr. Alcock will have to carry his mop and pail everywhere he goes because it's enough to make taxpayers sick.