Letter to the editor: An omnibus bill with disaster lurking inside

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Farmers in Medieval Europe sought high-traffic areas such as the intersections of main roads or a confluence of rivers as suitable places to erect market stalls. One of the items in great demand was the suckling pig. Such an animal could feed a family of four for a month. In anticipation of the demand, farmers would usually bag several such pigs in burlap early in the day. 

With the passage of time, unethical farmers would sometimes substitute stray cats in place of the pigs to take advantage of the unwary buyer. This practice gave rise to two admonitions:

“Don’t let the cat out of the bag” and “Don’t buy a pig in a poke.”

Today’s pig in a poke is an omnibus bill with disaster lurking inside.

Tell your legislator not to buy it.

Thomas Higdon, 



Vancouver