Bay of Plenty Times

Greed is back in town once again

- Tauranga Bethlehem

It strikes me often and everywhere. Greed is back in town. The big banks are getting a pasting for it (in Australia) but they’re not the only ones doing it.

Insurance companies operate in a sea of greed, where only the foolhardy dare swim.

Even government­s local, central and internatio­nal seem to want more than their fair share.

And don’t forget the rich individual­s and companies with offshore trusts here, there and everywhere. Everywhere you look you can see it. Greed. It is the Achilles heel of capitalism.

And capitalism underwrite­s our democracy.

It is the way we have created it.

Sure, it has its issues, but it is way better than the alternativ­es out there. So let’s not be too greedy, otherwise we might lose it all.

And that would be a shame. Graeme Martin

Before consultati­on with the community on State Highway 2 speed reduction there are serious questions needing answers.

Approval for the Northern Link down to two-laning; how will bus lanes to be provided; how can congestion be relieved; and no time as to when work will commence.

Peter Williams was right when he wrote “The barefaced cheek of politician­s”, as they have adopted a desktop look through centralise­d decision-making, which on the one hand cuts the local NZTA budget by at least 25 per cent, when the Government wants more houses, more affordable houses, improved

road safety, and that is all happening at Omokoroa.

A few years ago, restrictio­ns were put on developmen­t on the Minden by the NZTA because the congestion on SH2 couldn’t cope.

What a fiasco, and an example of the poorest infrastruc­ture planning and muddled thinking ever inflicted on a subregion. In my opinion the congestion on this SH2 will not be solved with speed reductions, and certainly with no timelines as to when we can look forward to sound infrastruc­ture being provided.

As we have an MMP environmen­t, how can NZ First sit back and allow this substandar­d decision be thrust on this subregion? People need to speak up. Margaret Murray-Benge

 ?? Getty Images. ?? Greed is the Achilles heel of capitalism says a reader.
Getty Images. Greed is the Achilles heel of capitalism says a reader.

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