Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – The banks have slunk off with £1.3 trillion of our money, UK businesses, large and small, are hoarding £742 billion of profit amassed through the efforts of their workforces, the real producers of wealth, the con-dem government continually insists on reducing wages and cutting public expenditure, yet the ”great and the good” scratch their collective heads in bewilderment as to why unemployment continues on its inexorable rise.
All of the mainstream political parties continue to promote policies which will emasculate the social wage to the level of the 1930s and drive poverty to depths not seen since the1920s.
It is time to give them all, bosses and politicians, their P45s and usher in an economic and social system built from scratch on the basis of meeting human need instead of greed.
If banks and businesses will not invest, if government refuses to intervene and direct investment, then it is up to the organised working class to step up to the plate, especially when thousands of families live in fear of the next fuel bill falling through the letterbox and parents struggle to feed and clothe their children.
Increases in wages and benefits are the best drivers of demand, generate a massive boost to economic activity and are most effective in redistributing wealth from profits to wages.
The rank and file trade union activity of the 1960s and 1970s, led by the shop stewards movement, recognised that demands for increased wages were the cutting edge of the struggle for economic and social justice.
This tidal wave of resistance, supported by notable sections of the official labour movement, eventually led to the defeat of the bosses and their political allies with the Times headline declaring ‘We Must Engineer the Engineers’.
Such a wages offensive is desperately needed now to rescue our people and their industries and services.
Raymond Mennie.49 Ashbank Road,Dundee.
Time for us all to speak up for what is good
Sir, – May I applaud both The Courier and John Miller for his excellent column on Friday, March 16? It was so good to read an article of such truth and sense.
If only our Governments (both in Holyrood and Westminster) would take note that the majority of people support marriage between one man and one woman.
It is outrageous to seek to redefine this God-created, God-given family way of life.
It really is time for us all to speak up for what is good and right, as we are forced to see this once ‘Great Britain’ rush headlong down the way of horror and destruction.
When are we going to see some moral backbone in the leadership of this nation? When are we going to stop pandering to the vocal minority who want to force their perversions on society?
I am English, and in my youth we looked up to Scotland as a land of Godliness and a country to be proud of. Now, having lived in Scotland for more than 27 years, I find the need to pray earnestly for the revival that John Miller speaks of.
Yes, indeed ”Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people”.
Christine Heron.9 Marygate,Pittenweem.
Area should be preserved
Sir – Residents and visitors to North East Fife concerned at the development of a quarry at an environmentally precious area known locally as Kirkton Woods should register their objection to Fife Council’s planning department in Kirkcaldy, before March 30.
The area, with an abundance of wildlife and in close proximity to the unique Morton Lochs, should be preserved not only for the current population but for future generations.
The B945 road that passes through the area is inadequate for the present-day traffic that uses it and the addition of heavy lorries servicing a quarry would make it dangerous and insufferable.
R Mulheron.28 Cowgate,Tayport.
Tidal power a better option
Sir – I read the letter from Calum Wilson, managing director of the Forth Energy electricity partnership (Courier, March 15) in which he speaks of the benefits that will accrue from biomass.
However, I still think that it is dreadful that his company is prepared to build such an enormous wood and waste burning incinerator plant so very near to a built-up city area and by so doing endanger the health and well-being of thousands of people for many years to come.
I therefore hope that the Forth Energy electricity partnership will cancel their unhealthy incinerator plan and for the sake at least of the many young children who live in this area and seriously consider the healthier option of generating a smaller amount of electricity from some tidal water-powered turbines in the fast-flowing water of the River Tay.
Robert Addison.11 Forthill Place,Broughty Ferry,Dundee.
Such arrogance
Sir, – I am astonished at the arrogance of Donald Trump criticising the Scottish Government’s policy of trying to make us self-sufficient in renewable energy.
It is none of his business. He should also learn the facts about windfarm statistics before making rash statements.
Alister Rankin.Methil, Leven.
Propaganda
Sir, – As the debate continues to rumble on about the future of the RAF base at Leuchars, I am sure this is just the usual operation of the political propaganda machine and that there is no intention of ever closing such a strategically placed base as Leuchars.
John McDonald.Kirkcaldy.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.