Dear editor,

I note in your Dec. 29 edition one letter and one editorial, each decrying the problems with the judicial system.

Only the Nanaimo Bulletin comes close to the core of the problem — a lack of resources, but even they ignore the cause.

People who complain about the problems of the judicial system need to be reminded that for years now, Ottawa and Victoria have been cutting taxes to the wealthy and the corporate world while increasing taxes on the rest of us, like increased MSP premiums, fees for hospital stays and the HST.

Next time a politician from Ottawa or Victoria waxes eloquent about getting tough of crime, remind him his government has cut taxes to the point where we can’t afford enough police (and the resources they need to fight crime), we can’t afford enough judges to judge criminals, we can’t afford enough prosecutors to prosecute criminals, we can’t afford enough courthouse buildings to try the criminals.

But we can afford new prisons?

Tax cuts mean service cuts. If you like the tax cuts, don’t complain about crime! Cliff Boldt,

Courtenay