Round up the usual suspects
Details of the 16 young people who ram-raided the mall in Ormiston (NZ Herald, April 27) are sketchy so far, but let me help fill in the probable details.
It will be reported that all 16 were about to turn their lives around that very morning -
but perhaps after they'd done the ram-raid first. The fact they used stolen cars will somehow be the fault of the car owners - perhaps lax security? Or maybe the cars were just parked out on the street, begging to be taken?
The young people themselves will be blameless because they may have had a disadvantaged upbringing and, of course, their parents will bear no responsibility whatsoever, despite the fact their children are out stealing cars in the small hours of the morning.
The shop owners will be told they just need to get, and pay for, more security.
Fault will be found with the police every step of the way.
I was talking to a military person the other day, who expressed surprise that anyone was willing to join the police considering the criticism they come under on a regular basis. And suddenly that, to me, spoke volumes about where our values are as a society.
Fiona Gray, Remuera.
Crime wave
The ram-raids the young teenagers are carrying out are frightening and it won't be long before an innocent person is seriously injured or killed.
The editorial "Stop ram raiders in their tracks" (NZ Herald, April 27) was spot on. Part of the editorial states, "Ram-raiders need to be chased down and dealt with in a way that spreads the word that such crimes are not 'cool' and certainly not worth it".
Now is not the time for the "bleeding hearts" to wring their hands and say they are only young and don't know what they're doing. Of course they do.
Unfortunately, they also know as juveniles they will not have to face the consequences of their actions in an adult court, just as the adults who are behind what is happening know they can get away with using youngsters to do their dirty work.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
Value of money
Regarding the case against the Reserve Bank and Finance Minister (NZ Herald, April 27) by Robert MacCulloch.
Money allows a complex society where humans do different jobs instead of all munching in the same field like cows. The transactions make an economy.
So what makes a sound economy? First, proper money backed by real wealth - something people agree has value, like gold, land, and food.
Divorcing money from wealth was bad enough, but why on earth did politicians allow the creation of the new fake money to be in the hands of private banks, whose aim is to maximise profits for shareholders?
Of course, they lend it to the wealthy to make more money, no matter how or the cost to society.
Dennis Horne, Howick.
Serious wealth
The National Opposition is presently wringing its collective hands at the prospect of hard information being collected through Minister David Parker's proposed Bill about the real tax paid by the seriously wealthy.
Given the mass of data on inequity and the upward migration of wealth already available here and globally, it is extraordinary that a party claiming to be our country's naturally- superior economy manager should resist the search for real facts and information, the only valid basis for sound management of anything.
Instead, it demonstrates and tries to project, fears of imagined outcomes that could impact its electoral base and financial support, irrespective of wider issues of social fairness.
This instinct to bury its head in the sand gives us the true answer to the question of National's long-term economic competence.
Peter Black, Newton.
Just inadequate
Regarding the rapist's "lucky break" (NZ Herald, April 27). Another totally inadequate sentence of 12 months home detention and 12 months supervision for sexually violent crimes the judge described as "appalling".
As usual, the perpetrator has name suppression.
Jacinda Ardern campaigned during the last election on "30 per cent less in prison". This would be one area she has excelled in.
Violent crime has rocketed and will continue to do so as there is no custodial punishment. Police are wasting their time apprehending offenders as once they come to trial we know the result - name suppression, no custodial sentencing, summed up with judgemental
whitewash. All this makes victims wonder was it worth it, or did they just waste police time and taxpayers' money.
The same article displays information on "where to get help". There may be some help but please don't expect justice.
The way forward is now up to us. I know how to start. The first is non violent and involves a total withdrawal of any type of service to the criminal.
Ann Shields, Remuera.
