The taxpayer wants to believe government has the best intentions with the policies they implement, like Urban Renewal for example.
In the wake of the alleged scandals with this programme one hears people say there is nothing wrong with the idea of the government helping the poor, they just expect the government to be accountable.
However, as more and more revelations come to the fore, the erosion of confidence in government and those charged with these onerous responsibilities mounts.
Tibor Machan wrote in The Freeman in 1989 that "As government grows beyond its legitimate functions, scandals become the norm."
And so, we've had government pledge to take us to the next frontier, government in the sunshine and more. Now we appear to have government by scandal, yet the Prime Minister and his Cabinet who are charged with managing the affairs of state remain silent.
It appears the government should consider H.L. Mencken's admonition that, "There is something even more valuable to civilization than wisdom, and that is character."
The first thing the Prime Minister should do is let the nation know the people responsible for any abuse will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.
Second, the government needs to pull in it's reigns and shut down programmes that are outside the normal and reasonable functions of what they are supposed to be doing.
If not, they can expect more of the same and confidence in them and their ability to do what is right will wane even more.
Then what?
