Letters to Editor: Europe outweighs small issues

On Monday I was once more coerced to read the distorted view of your left-wing, sad-sac socialist columnist Bruce Bissett as he once again parodied disillusionment that the majority of voters actually think differently to him. Poor Mr Bissett. Seems to me Hawke's' Bay Today should find themselves someone worthwhile to read instead of the usual diatribe.

On Tuesday I read with more interest your finance columnist Caroline Ritchie as she flirted with the European financial crisis in terms that were acceptable to mainstream financial circles, even if they disguise searching truths.

She does deserve credit for attempting to discuss issues that undoubtedly will easily far outweigh the small-town issues that Left Hook bemoans at the time.

Ritchie refers to to the prospect of a permanent resolution to a financial crisis in Europe, a crisis some argue that if not solved successfully is highly likely to render the whole world to another depression.

Glibly, newspapers report "austerity" in Europe as the solution to impossible debts run up by governments and populist politicians, the like that Bissett might perhaps feel more comfortable with in delivering a "fairer society".

However, take note if you will what austerity in Europe now means to millions upon millions of Europeans today. It's huge unemployment, slashed benefits and pensions, slashed welfare programmes, slashed education funding, slashed medical care, slashed everything actually, in short comparative poverty, as governments are forced to stop borrowing money, falsely delivering socialism to the masses - the "fairer society".

I have referred previously in other comments about the powerful forces that are really in play now in Europe. Remembering that it was less than 70 years ago that the world fought Germany with massive bloodshed and millions of lives lost as Germany sought to control the world and build an empire that would last 1000 years. What do we now observe going on in Europe?

Without a single shot being fired and a single death attributed, Germany stands to rule Europe like never ever before with financial subservience by all 27 member states of the European Union to German ways.

As Ritchie points out, Britain has seen this movie before and has said no thanks, but stands alone and is now isolated.

France with a technically bankrupt banking system has no choice and falls to the ways of Angela Merkel, even arguing for her stance.

She projects to the world as "Saving the euro" while all along it's enforcing German attitudes and financial control upon all other European countries.

Or is she preparing to disband the European Union to create something new that meets German aspirations only?

Germany got to where it is today, bombed out as it was at the end of World War II, by the hard work ethic, financial discipline, control, measured debt management, pride and excellence in what they do.

A "fairer society" along socialist lines was not part of the "rise and rise" of Germany.

They fear inflation and printing money as a solution to life's problems like no one else - the Weimar Republic haunts their psyche.

Now the world watches as this industrial power switches to megladomination of all around her and I'm not sure what all this means, apart from if you want to stay part of Europe you will now do it the German way - this includes France. How long will this go on?

Considering how volatile the European continent has been historically, at war with one another for century after century, I wonder how all this is going to turn out for the rest of the world fighting for our economic future and place in a "fairer society"?

Can Mr Bissett shed some light on this one?MALCOLM EVESHavelock NorthPromotion on cardsOh joy! A Christmas card from Craig Foss. On one side emblazoned with the National Party logo, the other filled with self-serving photos of his rare visits to his electorate.

And all of it conveniently paid for by Parliamentary Services - in other words, the taxpayer. In tough times like these, I would think a better use for public money could be found than this sort of blatant personal promotion.

Isn't it a little early to be campaigning for the next election?RIKKI MENZIESHastings