Some MPs, rather smugly I feel, state they have nothing to hide over their Westminster expenses and that they have not been involved in the nefarious practices of their fellow legislators.
Yet I find them just as culpable as those who have been taking everybody for a ride.
Don’t tell me they didn’t know what was going on. Of course they did and it is to their credit they did not join in.
However, they stood idly by while their fellow MPs let greed dictate their theft of taxpayers’ cash.
Why do we send people to parliament? They are there to be our representatives and to look after our interests.
Yes there is party politics, but stealing from the taxpayer appears to be the one item on the agenda where consensus was reached.
Meanwhile the debate goes on about ways to reform the system. There is not actually anything wrong with the present system.
What went wrong was that people expected MPs, who claim to go into politics to help others, to not let greed lead them to become cheats.
When people milk the benefits system they quite rightly end up in court. And those politicians who fiddled should be charged with fraud and those that did nothing should be charged with aiding and abetting them.
Come the next election I will not be voting for my sitting MP and I urge others to do likewise irrespective of party. — Honest.
Faith lost
Every morning it seems there are new revelations about the expenses claims of our elected MPs.
At a time when the country is suffering the effects of an economic downturn, it is not at all surprising that the universal response has been one of anger and disbelief.
I have seen various politicians trying to justify their claims by saying they acted within the rules. Maybe so, but morally, there is little doubt they were acting selfishly and without a hint of consideration for the taxpayers they are supposed to be serving.
It will take a lot to restore our faith in politicians following this debacle.
No amount of platitudes about staying within the rules will change the public’s opinion. — Eyes Open.
Fine people for leaving bins out
Bins in South Road.
We hear a lot about people being fined throughout the country for not putting their black bins away from the streets once rubbish has been collected.
Why is Dundee City Council not doing anything about black bins left out on the street?
I am sure there are a lot of places where bins are left out and look unsightly. I can name South Road as a perfect example.
If you start off at the Lynch Centre end it looks like a decent enough area until you hit half way along just past the school where the tenements start then the rest of the road is just littered with bins and various bits of rubbish.
This is a continual sight along this area. Even when bins are emptied there always seems to be rubbish and bins knocked over. Not only is it unsightly, it is also a health hazard, not to mention the same people who leave it like that also allow their children to play around the area.
The council go around town handing out fines for people dropping cigarette ends because they are littering but maybe they should fine people for leaving a health hazard first. — Annoyed.
We all can make difference
Like many readers, I watched The Secret Millionaire visiting Dundee. I felt the programme did a good job in highlighting the reality of poverty and deprivation in many parts of Dundee, and like many readers felt sad that only a few people or projects could be helped by one willing person.
But I was also glad to see that the programme showed volunteers in churches and church halls giving what they could to do something about meeting the needs in the city.
If those who are angry because only some people were helped got involved in volunteer programmes, they would be able to make a difference too. — Catherine Collins, Broughty Ferry.
Give them a break
After reading the letters page regarding The Secret Millionaire programme I am amazed and embarrassed at the sheer jealousy of some of my fellow Dundonians.
Can they not be happy that a hard-working family would benefit from a generous millionaire? What difference does it make if they are from Dundee or Poland?
At least the man works for a living to support his family. Please show a bit of compassion and give them a break. — I. P., Dundee.
Her cash, her prerogative
Various people have written in disgruntled by the way the Secret Millionaire Roison Isaacs splashed her cash around the city of Dundee.
Firstly three local organisations benefited from the visit of the secret millionaire. Regarding the donation to the Polish family, you’ll always find someone worse off than the next person so where do you draw the line?
Roison Isaacs was touched by a young family struggling and helped them out, her cash, her prerogative. In true Dundee style the Polish family are now being targeted after receiving some good fortune. — Embarrassed Dundonian.
Staff woes
The resignation of President Obama’s staff is a stain on his first 100 days in office.
Several of his appointees had to resign before taking office due to tax problems or immigration issues involving employees.
Now, Air Force One’s low-level recce of downtown Manhattan sees him apologising once again while a key aide is forced to resign.
Workers feared it another 9/11 terrorist attack.
The insensitivity of such a stunt truly beggars belief. – Politics Watcher.
Banner search
Almost a century ago thousands of people marched through Edinburgh in the hope of winning the vote for women. Preparations are under way in Dundee to march again in Edinburgh to mark the centenary of the last one, but there’s just one thing missing — the original Dundee banner.
Anyone with information about the banner, or who would like to know more about the upcoming event, should email Evelyn Cairns on evelyncairns@number10.org — Evelyn Cairns, Voluntary Sector Information and Development Worker.
THE ADDRESS for readers’ letters is - Readers’ Page, Evening Telegraph, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. They can also be placed in our post box at our offices in Albert Square, Dundee, emailed to us on letters@eveningtelegraph.co.uk or faxed on 01382 454590. We ask correspondents using a nom-de-plume or sending by e-mail to provide a name and address for reference purposes. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit any letter. Please keep letters as short as possible.*
