Viva Gold Card

David Seymour’s Right Uppercut (‘‘Gold Cards take public for a ride’’, Focus, January 15) is so far off the mark I am surprised he did not fly over the ropes, and a good example of single issue thinking leading to severe unintended consequences. How much more would we have to pay out in mental health and medical care for older folk trapped in their rooms by limited finance and slowly sinking into the depths of depression?

Sure there are a few on the Waiheke ferry and it is probably the best therapy they will ever get. How about the elder who could either afford to ride the bus to town and then do nothing, or use their Gold Card to get to town and spend the saved fare supporting a local business. Is that not a win-win?

As a taxpayer I have no objection to the Gold Card and wish those who use it a long and happy retirement and good weather for their trip to Waiheke. Steve Jenkins, Wellington Long live the Gold Card. Can we remind all our MPs that the approximately 700,000 over-50s in New Zealand vote. Our members can help change any government. Mate Marinovich, President, Waitakere Grey Power Association Has Seymour ever seen elderly people struggle against the disability of age to get on a bus so they can go shopping or visit a friend? Without the Gold Card they’d be isolated at home.

Seymour’s more concerned about his rich mates having to pay tax to help these disadvantaged members of our community. The richer they are, the more they hate paying taxes. Vincent Matthews, Auckland