Letters: Why you must vote this election

Rotorua candidates speak to Grey Power voters at the Bainbridge Centre this week. Photo/Supplied

Well done candidates at the Grey Power candidates' meeting. You all treated each other with respect. For everyone eligible to vote, please make sure you do, and if you think it's not worth the effort, ponder this.

We superannuitants will not live with the decisions politicians make on your behalf for nearly as long as you will.

We blindly clogged up our roads with a massive uptake of private motor cars as our preferred transport choice.

We built huge coal burning power stations that raised carbon dioxide levels sufficient to adversely and severely affect our climate.

We accepted the mantra that the market will rule, whilst failing to consider the costs of automating jobs out of existence, and importing goods made by others working for a pittance.

We ignored the tale by Dr Seuss, The Lorax, which ends with a verse beginning:

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not ..."

Please vote thoughtfully for your future. (Abridged)

ROGER LOVELESS
Rotorua

Tax a deterrent

One could tell by the picture in the Rotorua Daily Post that the mayor was all ears when a Labour candidate proposed a $25 tax for all tourists coming to New Zealand, especially when he said that Rotorua was going to benefit by this.

More spending money, this beats Christmas! She wants to "tap into the fund for environmental projects".

However, I don't think our overseas visitors will be so enthusiastic, Already New Zealand is an expensive destination and already they have to pay a $22 border charge. It gives us a bad name. Next time they will go elsewhere, anywhere.

HARRY BRASSER
Rotorua