The absolute stupidity and lack of priorities when it comes to federal spending was magnified yet again this past week in our nation's capital.

To begin, CTV National News used the Access to Information Act to uncover the fact that over $2.5 million was paid out in bonuses and raises to a select group of 160 senior patronage appointees. Amongst this select group were Deputy Ministers, the heads of crown corporations and other patronage appointees.

In fact, over 98% of the people who were eligible to receive bonuses did! This prompts one to ask: What do these people have to do not to receive a bonus

This is just one more example of the government taking care of its own. Whether its pay raises for MPs or padding senior patronage appointees' wallets, it's painfully obvious where the government's priorities lie.

On the subject of waste and mis- placed priorities, we need look no further than Parliament Hill.
It is a massive construction zone at the moment. Now there's no doubt that this work is needed, but the pricetag and some of the frills must be questioned.

Recent Ottawa Citizen reports show that this project is spiraling out of control. Original cost estimates of $460 million are now projected to double to over $800 million and will probably top out at $1 billion by the end of the project. Let's look at some of the questionable items.

First it was a 128-metre tunnel from East block to the Centre block so a handful of Senators and MPs wouldn't get cold in the winter. The pricetag, a mere $1.4 million. Then it was a Senate committee room duly appointed with marble floors, deluxe washrooms and other trimmings for the bargain basement price of $3 million. And to top it all off, we now hear of renovations to a sauna, that's right, a sauna, for a mere $40,000.
As if we didn't have enough hot air on the hill already.

With pay raises for hacks and runaway construction costs on Parliament Hill, we shouldn't be surprised to learn that the Department of Veterans Affairs has no money left to send 30 WWII Italian campaign veterans for a reconciliation dinner in Italy this Christmas with former German soldiers.

This past May the government found the money to send 17 Liberal MPs to Italy on the "Tortellini Trade Tour" which was simply a sightseeing and photo-op boondoggle. But the government can't find $100,000 to help send 30 vets to Italy

A government spokesman said "there is a limit to what can be cone and we're pretty much at that limit." This is utterly shameful. Especially when you consider the fact that over
1,400 Canadians were killed at Ortona in 1943, representing nearly a quarter of all Canadian WWII fatalities in Italy.

Opposition Veterans Affairs critic Peter Goldring is helping to spearhead a campaign for individual Canadians who may wish to help our vets in this important trip. Cheques can be made out to the Three Rivers Regiment Veterans Association and can be sent to Goldring's office: 619 Confederation Building, House of Commons, Ottawa ON, K1A 0A6. No stamp is required. I know I'll cut a cheque.

By the way, on the day that the veterans story appeared in the Ottawa Sun (August 20), the Veterans Affairs Minister Fred Mifflin was in his home province of Newfoundland handing out money for a variety of tourism projects including a hiking trail and a golf course.

Somebody needs to remind our politicians that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. LEST WE FORGET.