She lives alone, and became concerned that her hot water service had developed a drip from a pipe joint.

She found a plumber willing to do small domestic work, and she was happy to have someone look into the problem.

He was there for only 25 minutes and only needed to tighten up the joint.

The total cost of the job was just over $500 cash.

He didn't accept the Seniors Card for call-out work.

She withdrew all the money from her savings book to pay him.

He took off smiling at the payment he got for doing next to nothing.

I am still pressing her to name and shame the plumber, but she is absolutely scared of this outcome.

I am telling the story anyway, as Australia will sink lower in the mire of greed until politicians pass legislation to protect our seniors.

Dave Cox, Corrimal

Professor Dirk Moses says “we are more interested in reasoned arguments than high culture as an object of worship”.

The cold war was about an ideology not high culture.

It was the ideology of a “cultural Marxism” that he says cold war defeated.

Wars, cold or hot, have never defeated an idea.

In particular an idea that promotes the inclusive society.

An idea that inspired past struggles that changed past societies.

The Ramsey bequest money is aimed at reversing history.

Universities founded on the Socratic dialogue provides the space for all ideas to contend.

Modern technology has provided the space for all, young and old to contend.

Reg Wilding, Wollongong

Barnaby , as the old saying goes, “ You reap what you sow” .

Peter Tornaros, Oak Flats

According to the Californian Energy Commission, the new “building energy efficiency standards” will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 700,000 metric tons over three years.

It would be equivalent to taking 115,000 fossil fuel cars off the road.

In view of the government incentive, the state is hoping to cut energy use in new homes by more than 50 percent.

Let these words sink in Gladys.

If the NSW government adopted the same principle with an incentive for battery storage, there would be a dramatic drop in customer need for power company generated electricity, plus a reduction in “poles and wires” supply areas, bringing down costs.

It time to deliver the state from the “dark age” and move into the 21st Century.

John Macleod, Berry

JETGO IN DEBT UP TO $32 MILLION

So due diligence was undertaken before Shellharbour Council approved JetGo?

_ David

It’s been nice and quiet with no planes going over my house …

_ Josh

PRINCES HIGHWAY TO UNDERGO MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADE

There is nothing wrong with the roads its the idiots who drive like morons that cause accidents. Use the funds in areas that need them.

_ David