‘This climate grandpa wholeheartedly supports you’ and ‘It is a somewhat strange construction to impose a fine on the tax authorities’: these are some reactions to news topics that interest readers. Below are the letters that appeared in the newspaper of Thursday 9 December. You can send in a response yourself via [email protected].
Medical care | What are we prepared to do for public health?
A large part of the hospitals have now scaled down plannable care. This irrevocably leads to health damage and a lot of personal suffering. That goes without saying. How did we make it this far together? And perhaps more importantly: do we want to prevent this in the future? I really have no idea. It seems we are all patiently accepting this. How great is the support in the Netherlands for the collective ideas, being one together for the benefit of the group and the individual? How much value do we attach to the health of ourselves and that of others? What are we willing to do for that? What sacrifice is worth to serve our collective health? What influence do you and I have to ease the suffering of others? How much courage does that take? How much trust does that require? What degree of independence does that require? My hope is that the collective always triumphs. Not for the largest group, but for everyone.
Ron de Vries, Leiderdorp.
Climate | This climate grandpa wholeheartedly supports you in the fight
‘Enough of consumerism, deforestation and plastic pollution’ (AD 7-12). I had to shed a tear at Mark van Assen’s story about his daughter and climate activist. I also have a daughter who believes that our economic system is based on exploitation and destruction. She has become minimalist and vegan, she no longer throws anything away and thanks to good arguments the whole family listens. We will not save the earth with market forces Rutte and many old boys. Come on boys and girls, name and shame! Long live Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace. This climate grandpa wholeheartedly supports you.
Piet Hartman, Altena.
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Cabinet formation | Dream of culture change will soon shatter
‘Informants: an agreement before the Christmas recess’ (AD 7-12). Does this sound like a redemption to the population? I have my doubts about that. It was clear that the parties had the ‘goal’ to reach an agreement. They kept their election promises for months, but when the polls showed a loss of seats for a number of parties, it was decided to give it a lot of water. Government participation is considered much more important than keeping promises made to voters. The proposed change of political culture will shatter like a dream and its consequences will be felt in the next election.
J. van der Spek, The Hague.
Tax office | Fine that fine, but we’ll pay it ourselves
The tax authorities will be fined 2.75 million euros for violating privacy legislation during the allowance affair. A good thing I think; let them bleed for all the misery the service has caused by being unlawful and discriminatory. The fine is deducted from the budget of the Tax Authorities. It is a somewhat strange construction to impose a fine on the tax authorities, since we all raise money that the government has at its disposal to keep the Netherlands running. In fact, we pay that fine. Or am I wrong?
Pim Middelraad, Zwijndrecht.
Atmosphere of the House of Representatives | Do they have any idea what picture they paint themselves?
‘Sylvana Simons complains about intimidation in the Chamber’ (AD 8-12). Yesterday’s AD extensively discussed the tone of the recent parliamentary debates and the often poignant lack of mutual respect among MPs. The reason was the embarrassing battle of words between chairman Tellegen and BIJ1 politician Simons. In this case I am not concerned with who is to blame for the childish bickering, but mainly with the answer to the question whether all those arguing politicians ever wonder what image this nonsense conjures up in the people. While the Netherlands is on fire and there is still no new cabinet, the quarrels are polluting their own nest more every day. And that at a time when the distance between the Binnenhof and the people seems to be rapidly becoming unbridgeable. That’s pretty smart. Just kidding.
Harry Verheul, Alkmaar.
Organman | Hope this profession continues
‘Typical Dutch, but how much longer?’ (AD 8-12). Is the organ grinder going to disappear too? What is left for fun in this world? If there is something nice, it disappears. These people have done it for generations. Not to make a living from it, but it’s in their genes. When I walk in Schiedam on a Saturday afternoon, the organ man is often there. Nice music, chat and feel free to dance. It cheers people up in this coronat time. Oh well, those pennies can go in the bowl, just stretch out your arm. I hope that this real Dutch profession will continue to exist and that they will also receive a subsidy.
Cocky Duym, Schiedam.
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