How do you solve a problem like Karlheinz?

The German-Canadian arms dealer has lurked in the shadows of Canadian news for years, occasionally emerging for a headline, and our readers either find him enraging or as dull as a phone book.

This week, Karlheinz Schreiber returned for a public inquiry into his murky dealings with former prime minister Brian Mulroney. Like a soft-voiced P. T. Barnum, he promised to reveal "seven scandals in one."

Finally, we would hear why he paid Mulroney in envelopes stuffed with cash, exactly what Mulroney did for that money, and when they made their deal.

But none of that impressed our first reader to comment on the story. "Sherry" wrote: "Boring ... This whole thing has had its 5 minutes of fame."

The second comment, from "P. Bussey," argued with the first: "This is boring and has had the proverbial 5 minutes of fame? Government ineptitude and the Self-Serving Corruption within it...is worth all the coverage/exposure it can get, to not only 'clean up' or 'clean out' those that think people vote for them 'only' to satisfy 'their greed' or 'own agenda,' but to make Government answerable to those that elect."

That set up a debate that simmered throughout the week. But one issue that troubles both groups is the sheer cost of the inquiry. According to The Canadian Press, the final price may be $14 million. That's 62 times the amount of cash Mulroney received from Schreiber -- or 46 times, depending on whether it was $225,000 or $300,000.

Mulroney called for the inquiry to defend his reputation. But the cost seems even higher if Schreiber is only promising "seven scandals in one" to stay in Canada. Germany wants him extradited to face charges of tax evasion, but he remains here to testify.

As "Oscar in Ottawa" wrote: "Mr. Schreiber will say what he has to in order to avoid jail in his native Germany. Mr. Mulroney has been found innocent of allegations of wrongdoing in the past pertaining to this. Mr. Schreiber's claims have allowed much needed tax payer's money to be bled from the government for this inquiry in favour of 'transparency.'"

We are also in a recession. What was once a large amount of money -- $14 million -- is now an obscene amount. For Canadians struggling to keep their heads above water, the inquiry is more wasteful theatrics from Ottawa.

As "Jason" wrote: "Is all the money spent to find the so-called truth from Schreiber going to help the economy get back on track or give jobs to those who need them, or provide better health-care for Canadians? No, it's just a political witch hunt that will only tarnish reputations here and there ... This should have been done the last time around; not having to wait so long with high costs that will do nothing for Mr. and Mrs. Canadian."

The inquiry has also become politicized. While Mulroney wanted the inquiry, some readers say it was forced on him by the opposition parties to embarrass the Conservatives. Others say Prime Minister Stephen Harper granted the inquiry to get at Mulroney, because of some perceived, undying division between the old Progressive Conservatives and Reform Party.

That last theory gained traction when rumours surfaced that Mulroney was no longer a member of the Conservative Party. And earlier, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff had personally wished him a happy birthday while Harper did not. It confirmed what some Canadians believe in their hearts: Parliament Hill is a high school.

"Prof. Pye Chartt" wrote: "All good conspiracy theories are delightful, because they artfully defy basic logic and common sense. (Additionally, they provide politically biased instigators with a means to stick a plastic fork in someone's eye.)"

I will give the final say to "Robert Kury," who said the cost of the inquiry is not only understandable but necessary because it goes beyond one man's reputation and another man's purported fight to stay in Canada.

He wrote that in the end, the inquiry is about Canadian values and ensuring our elected officials conduct themselves honourably. Surely that's worth our taxpayers' money?

"I am not bored with all of the reporting of the Mulroney Schreiber affair," "Robert Kury" wrote. "I was shocked and became cynical of our government when this affair was not investigated properly in the first place. Those that complain about the cost of this investigation do not really understand the cost of our 'justice' system. The 'system' is expensive. What are the alternatives (??) and what are the costs?? ... The conduct of our government and what our government does with the information from this inquiry/investigation, are and will be just as important to Canadians as the investigation itself. Values are at the heart of who we are as Canadians."