POLICING FOR PROFIT

RE: "DRUG traffic gets busted both ways," Jan. 27. It was unsettling to
read that the Hinton Mounties are now bragging about swiping cash from
innocent citizens on our highways. This type of policing for profit has
been tried in the U.S. and is now facing a public and political backlash.

"Possession of money" charges are the latest examples of Canadian
authorities borrowing failed tactics from America's dopey war on drugs. It
is the ultimate victimless crime in our capitalist society.

Every Canadian who cashes a fat pay cheque just became a criminal. Add them
to the millions of criminals who prefer pot to alcohol, don't register
legal firearms, etc. Soon we will all be criminals. Good old Uncle Sam with
two million behind bars will be really proud then.

Norm Siefken

(Obey the law and avoid the hassle.)