Mike Baker, Tauranga.
Ugly attitudes to leaders
I am not a contributor to social media but often visit some of the websites to observe what some are saying and various responses and comments.
What seems increasingly clear is that we are becoming a nation much like the United States – full of diatribe and hatred.
This is particularly the case when past and present political parties and their leaders are concerned.
We may not like a party, its policies and/or its leader, and we are certainly entitled to openly criticise each of these.
However, it is just plain wrong to go further with hostility and denigration (and worse). Remember these parties/people are (for those in power) genuinely doing what they believe is best for the country and its people.
Those who do not think so and become nasty and aggressive really need to get a life – and this includes some of those within said political parties.
Rob Peterken, Golflands.
Driving knowledge
With the arrival of the holiday season, we will no doubt be subject to a barrage of reminders to “drive carefully”.
These are the same reminders dished out whenever there is the possibility of bad weather.
I thought we all knew we should drive carefully all the time, not just if road conditions are a little different from the norm.
Sadly, whatever the conditions, you don’t have to go far to see someone who is not “driving carefully”.
Greg Cave, Sunnyvale.
Passing interest
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is closing passing lanes over the holidays. They say this is to improve traffic flow. Yeah, right.
What it will do is force drivers who need to overtake slower traffic to do so where there is no dedicated passing lane. Probably while feeling frustrated by this strange decision.
I wonder if anyone other than NZTA believes this is a sensible and safer alternative for holiday travel.
Graham Carter, Herne Bay.
Disrespect for customers
The big three supermarkets in New Zealand are showing their complete disrespect for their customers.
Despite their huge profits (Foodstuffs’ $53 million in 2023), they cannot afford the courtesy of efficient service, over what is a busy time for us all.
Instead of supporting their communities and paying minimum wage ($23.15 per hour) to staff one of their empty check-out lanes, they think it’s acceptable to have long waiting times and make their customers form long queues that extend down the aisle of the supermarket.
Come on, Pak’nSave, Woolworths and New World – show us, your customers, some respect. Support your communities and staff the facilities you have over this busy period.
Kim Jobson, Waiuku.
Thought for Christmas
At the risk of sounding Pollyanna-ish, and for those who may have missed them, may I reiterate the words of Sir Cliff Richard (Canvas, December 21): “All humans are born babies – exactly the same. Somehow the world separates us and makes us think in different ways; we should simply all get together and say we love each other.”
What better message for Christmastime?
Glennys Adams, Waiheke Island.
Act-ing out
The Act Party has been exposed as libertarians just out for themselves, says Roger Douglas, attacking his own party as selfish to the core.
Leader David Seymour doesn’t believe in welfare, he says.
I disagree. Landlords are entitled to $3 billion of taxpayers’ money.
What’s that if it isn’t welfare? Welfare for the wealthy is called no capital gains taxation, but perk write-offs are welfare.
Act-ing out school lunch cuts to save money we don’t have for a hospital building to give back to the wealthy landlord class.
They know they’re wealthy and sorted with Seymour in charge.
Steve Russell, Hillcrest.
