Thatcherism’s divisiveness lives on in bruised memory

It’s good to see Frydenberg is “inspired by Margaret Thatcher”. Closures of coal mines and a real concern about climate change are great ideas. – Sandy Thomas, Lilyfield

I can now see how the trickle-down effect works. A few tax cuts and James Packer can add a new heliport to his boat to help the boat builders and add a bowling alley to his new house to aid the house builders. Because boat builders in Italy and house builders in Mexico are doing it tough too. – Peter Bourke, Rockdale

No half-measures

If consumer spending in New Zealand is back to normal following COVID elimination, while Sweden, which adopted the opposite approach, is economically still struggling, it would appear that a large part of the economic evidence about how to manage the pandemic is now in: the economy does better in the longer term if elimination strategies, rather than half-measures, are applied. We need to ditch economic theorising and accept real world evidence. – Alan Garrity, North Narrabeen

‘Free markets’ can pilfer as well as provide

Tom Switzer rails against “the dead hand of the state” and “the heavy hand of government (“Dead hand of the state will be our JobKiller if we prolong it”, July 25-26). Around the world, there is no correlation between the size of government and economic, social and environmental outcomes. Government is good if it is focused on areas where it is more productive than the private sector, and there are many of them. The tax system should indeed “encourage entrepreneurship” but Switzer does not suggest that this should be paid for in part by much more efficient restructuring away from giving tax deductions and rebates to those who do not need them. We certainly do need relief from the “dead” and “heavy” hand of ideologically driven polemic. – David Hind, Neutral Bay

Switzer again simplistically casts the “invisible hand” of free markets as our saviour from the “dead hand” of the state. While something invisible can’t be proved, neither can it be completely refuted. Through this small window of doubt, Switzer and others drive an army of assumptions. An invisible hand can just as easily pilfer as provide. In the face of growing economic volatility, inequality, environmental degradation and social discord, we should insist on wresting back our destiny from such absurd fantasies. – Michael Hinchey, New Lambton

May I remind Switzer that the “dead hand of the state” was responsible for building all our roads, power stations, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, as well as our public schools and universities — all productive investments. Also, rather than relying on more deregulation to help the market economy (itself a misnomer given the amount of rent seeking that occurs in the Australian economy), the government would do better to support industries where there is a known multiplier effect in terms of job creation: local government, hospitals and universities. – Pauline Croxon, Undercliffe

I thought it might assist some of your readers if I offered up a summary of Switzer’s polemic that dresses up his five commandments as “suggestions”: (1) Government bad; free enterprise good. (2) Pare back workers’ rights. (3) Tax labour not capital. (4) Don’t worry about this disaster because you need to be ready for the next one (or switch off that ventilator just in case someone else might need it some day). (5) Inequality is not a problem; just ask someone who agrees with me. Of course, he may be right. But I remain hopeful that we can search for solutions free from such biases. – John Balazs, Randwick

High time refugees were released

Now that migration numbers have collapsed and the federal government is worried about slow population growth (“Birth rate to drop further”, July 25-26), surely it is time to release the refugees on Manus Island and Nauru from their indefinite, inhumane and soul-destroying detention. Seven years have elapsed — a very long sentence for people who have committed no crime. According to the Refugee Council, 436 refugees now remain on these islands and the ongoing cost to taxpayers is enormous. The government should accept the New Zealand resettlement offer, bring the rest to Australia and let them all resume their suspended lives. “Deterrence” can be maintained in other ways that do not shame us all. – Howard Dick, Toronto

Given the problems associated with “sluggish population growth”, due in large part to our reduced net overseas migration, it would surely help our economy if we accepted the many asylum seekers in community detention who have already demonstrated their capacity for hard work and their commitment to Australia. This would also enhance our image as a civilised nation and dramatically reduce the amount of money we presently spend keeping many in detention centres. – John Tyman, Murwillumbah

Wiz, give it a spin

I’m with Richard Glover in his growing republicanism (“God save the Australian republican movement“, July 25-26). But who for head of state? Clearly Australian politicians don’t trust the Australian people to elect a competent head of state. Nor do the Australian people trust Parliament to select a competent person. I would like to nominate the Wizard of Oz. Once established, the Wiz could then hand out courage to the Prime Minister, a heart to the Minister for Home Affairs and to the rest of them? Now what else was it that the Wizard handed out? – Neil Reckord, Armidale

Glover writes: “Stranger still, a large group of Australians, previous supporters of Whitlam, switched sides in the election of December 1975”. Perhaps not so strange. There were those, including myself, who voted for Whitlam in that election believing that the constitutional issue was more important than the economic issue. But there were also many who were very frightened by the equally unprecedented economic situation. Inflation and unemployment had doubled in a year. Mortgage rates had almost doubled in five years. Then there was the Khemlani affair. It is easy to forget, after 45 years of relative prosperity, how very worried many people were and how sincerely their views were held. This does not excuse the actions of the Governor-General or justifies the continued role of an absentee monarchy in the Australian constitution, but it perhaps goes some way to explaining the 1975 election result. – Penny Ransby Smith, Lane Cove

Learning a lesson

I am finding it difficult to maintain the motivation to keep working. So many people are at home collecting $1500 per fortnight, yet here I am working my guts out as a teacher, constantly getting sick from children, having my wage frozen, having never received one cent in stimulus money to bring home a little over $2000 per fortnight. – Greg Adamson, Griffith

Anyone recall this?

What has happened since the standing-down of the police officer who was responsible for slamming an Indigenous youth into the ground in early June? Remember that NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller stated the officer may have been “having a bad day” and Police Minister Elliott was more concerned that the youth had used “abusive” language. Also, there is no evidence that any of the earlier Black Lives Matter demonstrations, which were responsibly carried out, have caused any COVID-19 infections. For Fuller to claim that the proposed march may cause an “outbreak of complacency” is a cop-out (“Protesters vow to march after any court outcome“, July 25-26). – Robert Dillon, Bathurst

People who run protest marches never quite understand when they’ve reached the public’s tipping point. With COVID-19 hovering threateningly over the collective public shoulder, nerve ends fragile, and fear of transmission considerably ramped up, the last thing a sensible/sensitive public wants are dissident mobs trampling over one another to make points temporarily removed from front burners. – Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield

Time to mask crowds

The government’s recent directive that only one parent is allowed to attend children’s sporting fixtures means that we are unable to watch our grandson play AFL. Yet one sees several thousand spectators at NRL matches who are not socially distancing. Surely common sense should prevail, especially at outdoor venues, if spectators agree to be socially distant and to wear masks. – Bruce Maiden, Castle Hill

Cheese name anger

I understand the concerns of Stephen Hagan about the use of the word (“Coon cheese to be retired after fight to change name“, July 25-26). The name was derived, in 1926, from the founder of the brand, Edward William Coon, so I don’t believe that there was racist intent. It would be a shame if this link with history was lost. Perhaps it could be renamed EWC cheese. – Graham Russell, Clovelly

People have a right to be upset by the name change of Coon cheese, but they also need to understand that if ignorant, hate-filled racists did not use the word as an insult, the move would not be necessary. So if you are angry about this, blame those responsible for the change, not the victims of their ignorance and hate. – Doug Steley, Heyfield

Apples with grapes

It’s a bit unfair of Callan Boys to compare non-alcoholic wine with the real thing (“From zero to hero? The verdict on booze-free vino’“, July 25-26). Rather like comparing the smart car to a Rolls Royce. One purchases the former for practical reasons, likewise, I drink non-alcoholic wine for medical reasons. For me, it’s literally a life-saver, so I choose the taste that suits me, within the accepted parameters of the product’s limitations. – Hugh O’Keefe, Elizabeth Bay

Art-felt observation

Bravo, John McDonald, for your brilliant piece (“In the neighbourhood“, July 25-26). He sums up in his opening five paragraphs what so many of us are thinking with regard to how our political leaders view the arts. Compulsory reading for anyone with the nation’s cultural health in mind. – Colin Piper, Lane Cove

The one in control

I very much enjoyed Moir’s ad rem cartoon (Letters, July 25-26), but need to make a technical correction: in every dual-control aircraft everywhere, the left seat is always the captain’s. Even Scotty from marketing can’t change that. – John Greenway, Wentworth Falls

Treasurer Frydenberg was drawn in the captain’s seat, with PM Morrison in the first officer’s position. Does Moir know something we don’t? – Peter Purches, North Balgowlah

No wonder we’re about to crash. – Keith Sutton, Leichhardt

Just to confuse matters further, the co-pilot occasionally pilots from the right-hand seat. – Dave Horsfall, North Gosford

US bound

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds are off to the US for major talks on measures to counter disinformation campaigns by authoritarian states (“Australia, US to fight Chinese influence”, July 25-26.) Destination: Washington, home to the Office of the President of the United States. How appropriate. – Anne Carrick, Port Macquarie

And here I was thinking that I had nothing in common with Donald Trump. (“‘I was devastated’, Trump reflects on becoming president“, July 25-26). – Rod Hughes, Epping