Recently, I found one more example of how crooked (according to a thesaurus: dishonest, criminal, corrupt, fraudulent, unlawful, underhanded, questionable) our government really is.

On July 15, I obtained $500 in Canadian money from my bank. I was told there was no exchange rate. I handed them $500 U.S. and I was given $500 Canadian. I had a wonderful trip to Canada. One week later, I went back to the same bank with $35 in Canadian funds to exchange back for $35 in U.S. currency. But no; no even trade.

“The US Treasury,” I was told, “requires us to collect 15 percent when you exchange it back.” Excuse me! This is the very money I just paid $500 for the week before at the very same bank. I was told I could buy more Canadian money and there would be no exchange rate, but to bring it back I lose 15 percent.

The U.S. is charging top dollar for Canadian money and making 15 percent when a traveller brings any leftover money back.

I took my $35 Canadian back. I’ll use it on my next trip to Canada, and I’ll spend U.S. dollars up there next time.

If my government is going to penalize me, then I’ll pay a little more to the vendors in Canada and not give the U.S. government another 15 percent of my hard-earned money.

Stacie Lowe, Poland