Sometimes the smallest things say the most about what's wrong with government intrusion in our lives. The Duck Mountain flower scandal speaks volumes about the inherent generosity in human nature, as well as the consequences of steadily expanding government.

Community residents in Duck Mountain Provincial Park mobilized after budget cuts prevented staff from planting and maintaining flowers as they had in previous years at the entrance to Kamsack Beach. Cottage owners rolled up their sleeves, bought hundreds of flowers, and planted them. Members of the group tried to contact park officials to give them a heads-up, but their calls weren't returned.

How did provincial park staff react to this spontaneous expression of community pride The very next day they uprooted every single flower. Why, you ask, would they do such a stupid thing To protect their own jobs.

Needless to say, cottage owners are outraged and bewildered.

In one of the most idiotic quotes this writer has ever seen, park maintenance supervisor Larry Schiefner justified the destruction of the flower beds to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix by suggesting that if the province sees residents voluntarily working in the park, they might see his staff as expendable.

"Who knows where it will stop " Larry said, pointing out that four or five maintenance positions have already been eliminated. "It [the flower planting] doesn't help the situation much."

Rarely there is an issue that so clearly illustrates the perils of government intervention in our lives, and the perverse incentives that exist for our public servants. These taxpayer-funded union employees didn't act in the interest of the provincial park and the taxpayers that put bread on their tables, they acted overwhelmingly in self-interest to defend their cradle to grave jobs and benefits. In the process, they betrayed the community members whom they are supposed to serve.

Government running our parks removes individual responsibility and choice from our lives. It supplants our community spirit and pride. Except, in this case, the good people at Duck Mountain showed some initiative, unlike the petty public servants manning the park.

The Duck Mountain flower scandal poignantly illustrates the great public good that can be done by concerned citizens, when left to their own devices. It also illustrates the alienation caused by sprawling public sector unions who are only out for their own greedy self interest, even if that means betraying the taxpayers who pay their salary.

To the union guys who pulled out the flowers: replace the flowers on your own dime, and do it on your own damn time.