Accountability card on the table

I WONDER how many of Donald Trump’s 70 million voters are now claiming, “Well, I didn’t vote for him”. Shame on you and those who have timidly stood by and let this megalomaniac do whatever he likes for four years without any accountability.

Well the accountability card is now well and truly on the table. What a shameful legacy he leaves.

Neil Cranston Battery Point

US BROUGHT LOW CONFEDERATE flag-waving purported patriots breaking up the US parliament illustrates how much lower Trump has brought the United(?) States. I can’t help wondering what the reaction by the police would have been if Trump adherents were predominantly black.

Australia has its faults, but our selfrespect was never likely to be improved by adopting the American ethos.

Jim Heys South nipaluna/Hobart

GIVE BACK THE MEDAL

NOW would be an appropriate time for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to return the military Award of Merit he recently received from the current President of the United States.

What an embarrassing situation for Australia, after Trump’s attempted coup on the foremost democracy on Earth.

David Rowe Battery Point

MAKING IT HARDER TO VOTE

A REPORT on the last federal election was tabled in Parliament in December. One of its recommendations should be rejected by all Australians, adding a new requirement to produce ID to vote.

From the secret ballot to the democracy sausage, Australia’s electoral system is the envy of the world. There has never been any evidence that people vote falsely or multiple times in Australian elections. The electoral commissioner puts the incidence of multiple voting at 0.03 per cent of votes.

Despite this, Coalition members have raised this issue for decades. Rather than increase the integrity of Australian elections, this proposal should be seen for what it is, an attempt to make it harder for Australians to vote.

Australians have just witnessed an excruciating election in the United

States, followed by the fatal occupation of the US capital by a frenzied mob.

This is the result of years of voter suppression and political polarisation in US politics. When groups decide that some of their fellow citizens’ votes should not be counted, democracy breaks down.

Australians should be wary of the thin edge of the wedge. We should protect our democracy and keep red tape away from our ballot boxes.

Pat McConville Blackmans Bay

INSURRECTION STOKED

THE world is mesmerised by the siege and insurrection stoked by tens of thousands of pro-Trump supporters storming the Congress building on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. America is the beacon for all democratic countries and human rights around the world. Mr Biden implored President Trump to go on national television to address the nation and quell the situation. President Trump’s televised speech was ambiguous. Although he told protesters to go home, the emphasis was on the stolen election he lost. Have you ever thought of a politician saying one thing and meaning another? Read Mr Trump’s body language.

Trump has 12 scant days to turn things around before Mr Biden is sworn in as president. Can the election be overturned? Can President Trump be reinstated before Mr Biden is sworn in? The situation is volatile. Is this an ominous civil war looming? America has been split in two before. The pandemic is also exacerbating the situation. May God bless the United States of America. Wayne McDonald Taroona

EVERYONE, STAND UP

WELL said, Cassy O’Connor (“Chaos shows democracy is vulnerable”, Talking Point, January 8). Every individual Tasmanian has a responsibility to peacefully expose and persist in exposing lies, bullying, lack of transparency, dissembling and mismanagement in all levels of government. This will eventually ensure that the interests of local communities are prioritised, misbehaviour has consequences, and our democratic processes enjoy good health. Joanne Marsh

Bellerive

CONDEMN TRUMP

WATCHING the riots in the US made us realise that we live in one of the safest countries in the world, but what I can’t understand is why our PM used such mealy-mouthed words when speaking about the events. I guess because he was honoured by being given a medal from the worst president in American history he felt he had to excuse that man’s vitriolic words and deeds. It’s about time ScoMo followed other word leaders in their condemnation of Trump’s words and actions in encouraging hate-filled cult followers. God save America for the next two weeks.

Glennis Sleurink Launceston