Property-owning politicians

Richard Meadows (Budget Buster) says truthfully that many of our MPs are landlords and property investors. What he fails to point out, however, is that none of the top five Labour MPs own anything beyond their own home, and that only one Green MP has more than that. This may sound like nit-picking, but not when you consider the number of investment properties owned by the National front bench and leaders of NZ First. Is it a coincidence that these parties were so much in opposition to a capital gains tax, which would have benefited most of us?

That those who own and sell property for profit don’t pay tax is an insult to hardworking, taxpaying New Zealanders.

Lora Mountjoy, Coromandel

Elderly and drugs

In response to Tony Wall’s series ‘‘Drugging the Elderly’’ and the grieving widow who is upset with the drugging of her husband in a rest home, I want to perhaps look at the drug Risperidone from another perspective.

I have taken leave from work to care for my mother in her own home as she has dementia and could no longer live alone. Risperidone has aided our situation greatly and made life and home a much calmer place to be. My mother began to have random panic/anxiety attacks throughout the day, sobbing and lost, not knowing what was happening to her. After consulting with her GP she was placed on a low dose of Risperidone twice a day. Although this makes her sleepy all day she is calm, she has peace.

I’m sure those residing in rest homes would prefer to be sleepy and calm than flailing, biting, being aggressive. It does benefit staff but I believe benefits the patient much more – if I was in a rest home I know what I would prefer as a patient.

Justine Craig, Tauranga

Women write

In response to Tracy Watkins’ request for letters from women (Editorial, January 19), a question:

Much has been written in the press about the negative effects of economic ‘‘globalisation’’ such as the accumulation of wealth in very few hands, but very little about its positive impacts such as the lifting of millions out of poverty in China and India and the promise of similar in Africa and other parts of the planet.

What do your economic commentators have to say about this, especially in regards to the changes in US foreign policy in response to this and its impact on New Zealand?

Narena Olliver, Greytown

Thanks for raising your concern about the lack of letters from women. I wonder if your own paper is sending out something of a dog-whistle in this regard. I note that in this week’s paper you have opinion pieces from Tom, David, David, Luke, Jordan, Damien, Cameron, John, Mike and Richard. On the other side of the ledger there is only Meg and Danielle. That is 16.67 per cent female representation. I have been noticing for a while that your opinion writers mainly come from the white male stable, although they show other diversities. Your new year’s resolution should be a genderequitable, diverse range of opinions with a good smattering of Ma¯ ori and other cultures. By the way, I often get screamed at on social media and quite enjoy it. Don’t be shouted down, women!

Liz Gordon, Christchurch

Maybe potential women letter writers are more sensitive to their feelings of their families.

Children are not generally fussed about seeing Mum’s name and views in the paper especially if they are making their own way in the world.

Although a successful applicant for the job, my son was told once at an interview, ‘‘Your mother writes letters to us’’.

Also, is it their name or opinion the potential letter writer wants to get across?

Now a Labour MP, Jamie Strange got his name well known in the Waikato with very regular letters to the local newspaper.

When people say ‘‘I saw your letter in the paper’’ ask them what it was about and frequently they have no idea.

Blatant self-promotion is not what many women want.

Danna Glendining, Taupo

Watkins’ editorial hit a note. I’m not here to debate the reasons why, but Damien Grant’s column hit the second note.

Such an edifying historical analogy of the royals of today. Maybe it’s not quite British to ‘‘knock your brothers off’’ but surely it is time to loosen the protocols that dictate an almost impossible lifestyle in this modern generation.

While we (still) debate the flag, can it now be time to debate the validity of holding on to the expectations to both Britain and the Commonwealth?

I may be too old to see the results of any debates in our tiny Commonwealth country but heh! Just make a stand and let it happen.

Kate Gore, Rotorua

Pressure on Wanaka

I agree with Meg Taylor in ‘‘Slow Down, Tourism Ahead’’ (Focus, January 19) that the development of a new airport at Wanaka is undesirable. Already well travelled by the time we went to school together, Meg knows her Machu Picchus from