ECONOMY IN DECLINE
Now retired, I consider myself to have made a success of my life, being self employed since 1987.
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The reasons for my success should be accessible to future generations of Australians.
Growing up in public housing in Western Sydney and the Illawarra I had a good public education, access to healthcare and vocational training at TAFE all of which led me to success in life.
The policies that Labor are fighting for are the same ones that assured my future.
It is exasperating that the Turnbull Liberal government’s cuts to education and health will destroy the chance for more young people to reach their full potential.
How is it that the conservatives tell us that things are different now even though the economy is in decline?
Workforce full time permanent jobs are almost non-existent, gross debt has increased by $150 billion, interest rates have fallen a full 1per cent in a failed effort to stimulate activity, our trade deficit is now in excess of $2 trillion, we are experiencing a wages recession and our GDP growth is totally reliant on our exports.
Surely we can’t have three more years of this?
Don Kelly, Kanahooka
RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCE
I found John Frey’s letter “Religion not the problem” (Illawarra Mercury, June 22, 2016) incredible in its audacity and illogic.
Somehow, Mr Frey has managed to link the decline in the observance and institutionalisation of christianity in Western states with economic stagnation, unemployment, a slowdown in population growth, and “moral decline”.
In the case of the first three, the purported cause in the decline of religion is absurd.
Following his logic, the Middle Ages, when Europe was regulated lock, stock and barrel by the Catholic Church, must have been a time of immense economic growth and full employment.
In the case of the latter, “moral decline” is in the eye of the beholder.
Whereas Mr Frey might lament the loss of the strictures and conformity of a more religious society, I welcome the greater respect for difference and dynamism of our more secular age.
Moreover, in criticising the “materialism” of humanism, he also fails to recognise the profound ideological role played by the Protestant reformation in the development of a selfish and inward-looking world-view within emerging capitalist societies.
Brett Heino, Koonawarra
CARE ON TRACK
We often read negative experiences about the Wollongong Hospital so I thought I would add some positive feedback on my experience.
I recently spent seven days recovering from a total bilateral knee replacement in Ward B4W.
I cannot speak highly enough of the staff from the moment I awoke from my operation until the time I left
All the staff from the doctors, physios and nursing staff were so professional and caring.
Your professionalism and caring in my opinion is second to none.
I’m absolutely certain our public system is all the better for your attention to detail and commitment to ensuring all you patients are looked after in professional & caring manner. Keep up the great work.
John Williams, Horsley
- Letters on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by Fairfax Illawarra and South East NSW group managing editor Kim Treasure, 77 Market St, Wollongong. Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations and include their telephone number for verification. Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.