The Age Letters
JULY 09
The young, and the old, vote every three years
12:00 AM Readers discuss columnist Piero Moraro's suggestion that we should grant more votes to younger citizens and fewer to older ones.
Chilcot report: Where's the remorse for the terror they inflicted?
Readers discuss Britain's Chilcot report, which found the Iraq invasion was not justified.
JULY 7
The Coalition: Lies about McGowan in Indi are sure to backfire
As an Indi constituent for most of my life, I supported Cathy McGowan's campaign. Assisting her team at three booths in Wodonga on election day, I was disgusted to see large unauthorised banners at each of the booths screaming "A Vote for Cathy is a Vote for the Greens & Labor" accompanied by four false "facts". The AEC officer at these booths and other across the electorate ignored requests to remove these Liberal Party banners. The Liberals also sent misleading brochures with the same lies, but with no obvious link to the party, to voters throughout the electorate prior to the election. Imagine my disgust when I heard Malcolm Turnbull's hysteria about Labor's Medicare "lies" when his party had blatantly, strategically and comprehensively lied about Cathy McGowan in the lead-up to, and on, election day. Now Malcolm may need the support of that Independent to form government … you reap what you sow, Malcolm.
JULY 6
Electoral commission: AEC failed to ensure the election ran smoothly
The AEC comes under fire for its handling of the voting process and outdated systems.
JULY 5
The election: Fear, anger behind the votes can't be ignored
As the commentariat and chatterati dissect the result, an issue that dare not speak its name is ignored.
The election: Coalition exacerbates the challenges we face
The program the Coalition offered not only does nothing to tackle the two greatest challenges our nation faces, but will continue to exacerbate them. Climate change is happening at an even greater rate than that predicted by the world's climate scientists. Yet in response the Coalition offers us its discredited Direct Action policy and continues to promote and massively subsidise the use of fossil fuels. Inequality in Australia is now greater than at any time since World War II; increasing inequality is surely the true story behind Brexit and the rise of Donald Trump. Yet the Coalition proposes $50 billion of company tax cuts, pandering to the ideologues who continue to espouse the long-discredited theory of trickle-down economics.
JULY 3
Brexit: The ludicrous half truths did voters a disservice
I am working in Britain. As someone for whom politics has always been my life blood, I was surprised at how disgusted I was with the whole procedure and the ludicrous half truths, writes one reader.
JULY 02
We should celebrate our freedom of choice
Not surprisingly, readers discuss the federal election.
JULY 1
Society: Brexit vote a warning shot across the bows
The Brexit decision was a warning that people are beginning to understand the impact of globalisation – that their lifestyles, but not those of the born to rule, are being sacrificed on the altar of economic rationalism. The destruction of Western manufacturing and primary industries and the corresponding exploitation of workers in the developing world is a crime of profit put before people. However, the greater crime of globalisation is not the inequality between capital and wage growth and worker exploitation but the massive acceleration of pollution and damaging greenhouse gas emissions. It started with the US/Canada Free Trade Agreement in the mid-1980s and continues at reckless pace to this day.
JUNE 29
Federal politics: Notes on personnel changes of Australia Inc
Readers' cynicism about politicians here and overseas takes a witty turn.
JUNE 29
Brexit: Citizens want to feel in control of their destiny
Our readers continue to deliberate over the fall-out from Brexit.
JUNE 28
Coalition launch: Steady hand on the tiller but heavy water ahead
Malcolm Turnbull claims the best solution for the potentially chaotic times ahead is the Coalition's steady hand.
JUNE 27
Sadly, it was a case of 'us versus them' mentality
Not surprisingly, readers have mixed views on Britain's decision to leave the EU.
JUNE 26
UK experience highlights dangers of our plebiscite
Readers weigh in on the shock Brexit result and whether it has ramifications for Australia.
June 26
Faith: Connection is our key
Evelyn Heard It is in knowing and being known that we find and embrace our humanity.
JUNE 25
The truth is Medicare needs to be reformed
Readers discuss whether the Coalition government intends to privatise Medicare.
JUNE 24
It's wrong to impose your beliefs on others
Readers discuss Treasurer Scott Morrison's claim that he too has experienced bigotry.
JUNE 22
Counterproductive to students' learning
Readers discuss the Prime Minister's call for maths and science to be compulsory for all students finishing high school.
JUNE 22
The standard defence, 'But it was just a joke'
Readers discuss the Triple M segment where Eddie McGuire 'joked' about drowning Caroline Wilson.
JUNE 21
Letters: Eddie McGuire, jokes like these are no laughing matter
Time to grow up, Eddie, or time to go! You apparently didn't learn from your appalling comments about Adam Goodes and have repeated this by "joking" with your bogan mates about drowning Caroline Wilson.
JUNE 20
A plea for victims to speak out about abuse
Readers discuss Michael Bachelard's articles about the secretive Exclusive Brethren.
june 19
Letters: Spotlight on live animal exports
Readers debate if it's possible to operate a humane live animal export trade.
JUNE 18
I will remember this abuse on election day
Readers are angry and horrified at the latest revelations of cruelty in the live animal trade.
JUNE 16
Importance of checks and balances on power
Readers discuss the validity of protest votes, how-to-vote cards and voting on a 'mandate'.
JUNE 15
This was an act by a home grown terrorist
Readers continue to discuss the horrific mass shooting in Orlando.
JUNE 13
LETTERS: Focus on assisted death
I am 84 and in palliative care at a fairly advanced stage of terminal lung cancer.
JUNE 12
Australian Christian Lobby in the spotlight
If, as Michael Short suggests, the Safe Schools Program is 'simply about combating injustice by raising awareness' then I, like most Christians, would have no trouble with the program.
JUNE 11
The basic human right to choose our death
Readers debate the merits of whether some terminally ill patients in Victoria should have the right to choose death.
