Letters to the Editor: It will take more than main-party policies to tackle the cost-of-living crisis
Cost-of-living crisis will be tough to crack
As your front page (Sept 28) points out, the election will be about the cost of living. Depending on their political leaning, correspondents blame either this Government or the past one for the cost-of-living crisis. However, both governments have one thing in common: they have governed the same country.
A country that produces less value per work hour than its peers is at the wrong end of nearly all statistics, yet claims a living standard equal to that of others.
I bet a bottle of Champagne against a pair of old slippers that the cost-of-living crisis will remain with us for a long time, regardless of who wins the election.
K.H. Peter Kammler, Warkworth.
Why the scaremongering?
While there is likely to be more than one new tax that voters will incur under a left-wing block, the nine-tax scaremongering by National seems desperate, and I expect voters are already tired of it.
Why doesn’t National just campaign on its record? On most measures, the coalition has achieved what it said it would. Crime is down, school attendance up and the curriculum reformed, the RMA is gone, the India free trade agreement is signed off.
The cost of living and healthcare are still major concerns but (taking fuel price out of the picture), things are improving.
Eric Wolters, Tauranga.
What elections are about
Why is the coalition so terrified of a Labour-led Government? Their mantra of “keep Labour out” suggests that this is their primary unifying concern.
It seems that billionaires and their friends are having conniptions about paying a fair level of tax, and having their self-serving fast-track laws repealed.
Shock, horror!
They don’t care that most people want a well-functioning health system and a reduction in poverty, unemployment and homelessness. Instead of more prisons, we want our public funds spent on positives such as better housing for all. But they don’t think like that.
This Government’s use of urgency to override and bypass public debate has broken even Sir John Key’s record during his regime. Shoddy law-making has been the result.
Instead of spending their time and money trying to discredit the progressive left, why don’t they give voters their vision of a better future for the whole country? Isn’t that what elections should be about?
Vivien Fergusson, Mt Eden.
Stuck in the middle ...
As our politicians swing fervently into election mode, the policies and promises appear increasingly inventive and improbable.
I can’t help but be reminded of those lines from Gerry Rafferty of Stealers Wheel way back in ’72:
“Clowns to the left of me;
“Jokers to the right;
“Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.”
It’s a good time to hang on to a sense of humour, even if challenging at times.
Barry Watkin, Devonport.
Problem with MMP
MMP, introduced in New Zealand in 1996, has been overwhelmingly an unmitigated disaster for voters, with unintended consequences.
It was never intended that the minority parties could band together and dictate their policies and pet crusades and subsequently hold to ransom the major party.
Until MMP is modified to avoid these consequences, it is a complete waste of time, money and energy bothering to hold an election and voting when one has no control over the result.
Bruce Tubb, Ngātaringa Bay.
Theft on a grand scale
Late last month, President Donald Trump announced the takeover of the oil reserves in Venezuela as the biggest oil deal in history. It is actually theft on a grand scale.
How would the US population react if the Russians had kidnapped Trump and taken him to Russia against his will? And what if the Russians then decided to take over the US oil industry?
Johann Nordberg, Paeroa.
Trump disaster
Republicans are heading for defeat in the mid-term elections because of the Donald Trump disaster.
I am offering my expertise to save them. Get rid of Trump and people will start to believe again (in the American dream or whatever it’s called).
Ian MacGregor, Greenhithe.
Nice try, Dane
Dane Giraud’s column (Sept 28) defending the Free Speech Union from the spotlight Nicky Hager’s book shone on it used the term elite class when referring to people on the left.
This is a term straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook and hardly represents working people in this country.
Nice try though.
Geoff Leckie, Flat Bush.
Backing Black Ferns
The Black Ferns test match against England was a thoroughly entertaining display and a fantastic advertisement for women’s rugby.
It is a sad indictment, however, that as much as New Zealand promotes itself as a rugby powerhouse, crowd numbers for home games pale in comparison to that Twickenham festival.
The French are coming. Allez les Black Ferns!
John Bower, Mairangi Bay.
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