ISN’T it now perfectly clear that governments do not run the world but the rich and powerful?

For now as investors (the rich) pull out their capital from stock markets all around the world, the global economy is in free-fall, punishing most of humanity in the process.

Therefore the ‘capitalist’ system as an economic system is highly unstable and volatile. For what the rich investors do affects us all through capitalism and super-capitalism (globalisation) and the effects brought about by them alone. This system is therefore bankrupt in human development terms, as it harms everyone on this planet except the very rich who undeniably perpetrate this harm on humanity.

Therefore, when we are all over this human disaster, governments around the world have to change the economics of the world from basically just being there for the rich to that of human sustainability and need. If we do not, the world will continue to be enslaved by capitalism, which makes the very few rich beyond their wildest dreams and the majority unsustainable.

In this respect over half the world is still living in poverty and more will be so in the future due to the dictates of the capitalist market system. It is the majority of humankind therefore who really suffer when things in this system fail, go so very wrong and where the few who instigated the problem go scot-free.

But overall, we have to change completely for our own good, our mere existence and for the lives that our young will now inherit, or maybe not.

Dr David Hill

Huddersfield

Brown has never shown interest

“WE have no interest in running British banks,” says Gordon Brown. Well that rings true. For 11 years he’s had no interest in running the British economy. Just meddling, and leaving others to pick up the pieces and clear up the mess.

Now he has put the destructive element of the trade unions back at the heart of British politics, and the British economy. When jobs start disappearing the unions reaction will be, “you bailed out the banks, now bail out our jobs – or else.” And the “else” will be, cutting off Labour party funds. The taxpayer will then be expected to fund political parties.

Twenty years of effort to bury Socialism, destroyed by the greed of those promoted beyond their educational and intellectual capabilities. Game, set, and match for the Stalinists!

Alan Carcas

Liversedge

Blame head office, not the workers

I WORK at a high street bank in Huddersfield that has just been involved in the government plan.

In the last week or so we have constantly been told by the bank that no further funds were needed and the bank had funds to use and indeed we sent letters to all our business customers a few weeks ago saying we were very much open for business and have been doing business-lending deals.

Today we have been told that we at branch level are not to blame for anything that has happened, which I was very happy to hear.

It is the guys in the head office, investment and money market operations of banks that have brought the current situation by swapping debt between themselves based on what they thought was a good stream of income, possibly without fully understanding the full deal and it all started to go wrong when US Banks lent to people with no income to speak of.

Let’s just hope that what has now been arranged puts the whole financial world back on its feet and that these guys do not do silly deals like this again and everyone gets back to lending funds to people who can afford to pay back and they know who they are lending to.

However, the FSA and Bank auditors must take some of the blame here for not spotting the possible problems with what has been going on for the last few years. It is just possible, I suppose, that some of the deals done were so complicated that these guys just could not interpret things correctly.

The FSA, as part of the deal done, needs to get much tougher. Let’s hope confidence returns quickly.

Name and address supplied

Jodie spent two years at college

WITH reference to the article on Jodie Whittaker (Examiner, Oct 9, by Andy Welch), the Examiner, not for the first time, has omitted reference to a significant part of Jodie’s education.

Jodie did not go directly from Shelley to the Guildhall as implied, but rather she came here to the Technical College, now Kirklees College, where she spent two important years gaining valuable experience, and completing the Btec National Diploma in performing arts.

We have numerous photos and videos of Jodie taken during her time here, so we know we didn’t dream it!

Peter Sunter

Theatre Manager, Highfields Theatre, Kirklees College

When cane and common sense ruled

WHEN schools were kept to a reasonable size the head knew the names of all the pupils. Consequently there was respect and discipline and very little truancy. Common sense prevailed and there was a cane on the teacher’s desk.

Jack Lockwood

Honley

Don’t demolish this fine hospital

WE ARE told that St Luke’s Hospital at Crosland Moor will be demolished within the next four years. I have to say that this hospital is one of the best in West Yorkshire and no money could over compensate for its loss.

If it is sold for building land, the powers that be will regret their actions for the rest of their days.

It’s a necessity for the people of Kirklees and perhaps one day for all those who want to see it go. Think about it, you are not going to stay young forever.

H Barrowclough

Waterloo

There’s no excuse for living in a tip

IN response to “Couple’s despair at grotty flat” October 9. Yes you have leaks and an ant infestation, and this should be sorted by Kirklees council. But does it excuse you for living in a tip? Unmade bed, watering can, dirty pots on the floor, magazines thrown around? There’s no excuse – just tidy up. You can still do housework when pregnant.

beverley littlewood

Elland

Gore’s forecasts taking the rise

Of all the panic stories fed to us by the Al Gore supporters, one of the most ridiculous is that of the rise in sea level around the British coast which would be the result if the whole of the Arctic ice melted.

Forecasts are many and varied, and range right up to 6m (20ft). Yet the Arctic is a sea; there is no land at all, and all that ice is floating on the sea. Ice displaces its own weight in water, I seem to remember from my schooldays physics; also that a sealed bottle of water in the freezer will split as it freezes, as ice has a greater volume than water.

Therefore if all the Arctic ice melts the result will be no discernable change in sea level – or to be precise, there will actually be a very slight fall. (QED?)

Arthur Quarmby

Holme

Help pedestrians and motorists

UNFORTUNATELY I couldn’t get to the meeting of the Civic Society about developing the town centre, so I hope I can add my thoughts by writing to you.

Pedestrian entry points crossing the ring road would be eye-catching and effective if they were footbridges across the road rather than underpasses, as at present.

Yes, prioritise pedestrians – but also make it easier for the motorist, not harder. If possible, reduce the number of traffic lights on the way in and then give them cheap, easily accessed parking near to pedestrian and bus or tram access to the town centre.

Link the train and bus stations - good idea: let’s think horizontally here - just widen the existing train tunnel and create a walkway directly to the bus station with steps and lifts underneath the bus station.

andy macdonald

Shelley

Think again about road humps

BEING disabled and a wheelchair user I attend Paddock Day Centre four days a week.

I am transported to the centre in specially adapted vehicles. Even with the wheelchair securely fastened and with careful driving in the main it is still disconcerting and uncomfortable travelling along roads that have traffic calming measures (humps).

I would urge all planners and planning officers to think very carefully about the needs and wellbeing of all disabled persons when planning any future projects.

sandra shaw

Huddersfield

Improvement over commerce

YOUR headline on October 3, about “rivalry” between schemes for town centre developments is wholly inappropriate. Any plan for municipal improvement should have precedence over a plain commercial project.

The Queensgate proposals embrace a much-needed new public library and art gallery, the preservation of an architectural distinctive Market Hall, with the improvement of adjacent properties.

Kingsgate simply means more shops.

There should be no question of choice between the two. The public interest should always and unquestionably come first.

philip charlesworth

Waterloo

Happy memories of nursery days

I RECENTLY received a cutting from the Examiner dated September 30, forwarded to me by my stepmother, as I now live in Scarborough. I was delighted to see the photograph of Leeds Road Nursery from 1953 as I am in the picture and I believe my brother is also. What memories it brought back to me.

Playing with the sweet shop was a highlight, it was fought over with relish. I remember having to have an afternoon rest whether we wanted to or not. To this day I can recall the smell of the plastic cups and the pervading smell of fish after lunch on certain days.

I would love to hear from any others who may have been in the photograph. My address is 73, Main Street, Irton, Scarborough, North Yorks YO12 4RJ.

Mrs Ann Wootton (nee Free)