There has been a lot of justified criticism of the US for voting for an abrasive convicted felon who among other things has pledged to increase the production of fossil fuels, encouraged miners to “drill baby drill” and promised cheaper petrol (Letters, November 8). In contrast, we have a leader who said he would end the climate wars. Unfortunately, however, the Labor government actually increased fossil fuel subsidies to $14.5 billion in 2023-24, and our emissions count continues to omit the huge quantity of fossil fuels we export. So far, the government has not set up the promised “independent national environmental watchdog”, the vehicle that could have prevented the massive expansion of coal mining in NSW, the expansion of fracking and the approval of logging in national parks. Are we really doing any better than America?
Penny Rosier, North Epping
Incoming president Donald Trump and vice-president elect JD Vance.Credit: Bloomberg
While we ponder what disasters await us after the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20 next year, it is well to remember that he is already 78 years old, overweight and, by all accounts, a lover of junk food. Despite frequent requests, he refused to release his medical records before the election. He is smart, but no genius. The vice president-elect, JD Vance, is just 40, trim, and an articulate Yale-trained lawyer who served in the Marine Corps. He is extremely ambitious and known for his racist and xenophobic outbursts. If we fear America might become a fascist state, this is perhaps where the most danger lies. Bernard Moylan, Bronte
The notion of elites versus workers seems a very simplistic explanation for the US election battle. Although I find Donald Trump abhorrent as a person, I do understand why those who have been left behind in the rush to neoliberalism have voted for him – any hope is some hope. The fact that Donald Trump was backed by billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, and many others who seem to care little about the working poor who made them wealthy, as well as tech billionaires who seem to have little empathy for their “customers”, suggests to me there will not be much improvement in the lives of the working poor in the United States any time soon. Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West
The groupies have come out in force to celebrate Donald Trump’s victory and spray their usual insults, calling anyone opposing Trump leftists, progressives, elites and woke. Just because someone wants the environment protected, education, health, wealth distributed equitably and people treated respectfully, doesn’t mean they are “elite”. It’s mystifying how they fail to see that their idols – selfish capitalists such as Trump, Murdoch and Musk – are the real elites to be feared. Mark Berg, Caringbah South
Born and bred in Tempe, the son of an unskilled labourer, I have had it up to here with being called an “elite” simply because of my political leaning – away from Trump. John Campbell, South Golden Beach
Donald Trump would be the first billionaire to be hailed as a man of the people. John Christie, Oatley
Former Hancock Prospecting employee James Radford, Sam Bjelke-Petersen, Gina Rinehart and former Liberal Party vice president Teena McQueen at a Trump rally in Virginia.
The US election did not spell doom and gloom for all. It was reported that the world’s richest 10 people – dominated by US tech billionaires – increased by $64 billion on Wednesday. And with our own Gina Rinehart commanding a front-row table at the Trump victory celebrations, the mega-rich are ready to let the good times roll. Mark Paskal, Austinmer
Many Australians raise their eyebrows at the low voter turnout for US elections. The final numbers for this week’s election are not yet out, but it is clear from the available data that Donald Trump’s support fell from 74.2 million in 2020 to 72.8 million this year. Harris’ 68.2 million so far is better than Hillary Clinton’s 65.8 million in 2016. However, the biggest question of this election is why the Democrats’ vote fell by 13.1 million from Biden’s 81.3 million in 2020. So much for the vaunted “ground game” to encourage voter turnout. The Democrats have some serious work to do to understand how Trump could win despite falling support, while their support crashed catastrophically from Biden’s high point. James Mahoney, McKellar ACT
It’s a little ironic that probably the main cause of Trump’s defeat in 2020 was the way he mishandled the pandemic, and probably the main cause of his victory in 2024 was the legacy of the pandemic: shortages, high inflation and high-interest rates resulting in the cost-of-living crisis. Gerard Baz, Kensington
Karl Quinn is right to doubt the efficacy of Kamala Harris’ use of celebrities in her campaign events (“Celebrities flocked to Harris, but was it a help or hindrance”, November 8). Celebrities, including sports stars and other lightweights, might get people along to the event for a bit of entertainment and worship, but why would that change the way they vote? I’m sure that most Americans, other than rusted-on fanatics, are actually more interested in the policy matters that affect their daily lives. In the US, those would include the cost of living and jobs. The Democrats got what they deserved and, apart from the celebrities, much of the blame should be directed at the present president. Mike Salon, Darlinghurst
Beyoncé (right) and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris embrace during the campaign rally.Credit: AP
Your letters correspondent sanctimoniously opines that Harris and her supporters were stupid for demonising their opponents and supporters because it only made them stronger. I refer him to Maureen Dowd’s column (“I was wrong about Donald. We must accept the truth about him and America”, November 8), which includes a comprehensive list of the vicious insults that Trump, Vance and his supporters hurled at Harris. I guess if you’re going to hurl insults, make them big ones – that obviously works. Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow
I’m not sure where people are getting their information from, but it’s ridiculous to claim the Democrats were focused only on “liberal elites” and celebrities when Kamala Harris did numerous events with pro-lifer Liz Cheney, focused on elder care and first home buyers. What cost them votes was their focus on chasing the “Nikki Haley Republicans” and sidelining concerns from the Democratic base. Samantha Chung, Kensington
Look on the bright side of Trump’s re-election. If he’d lost, he’d be back running again and again, depriving a better candidate from doing so. Now he can’t run again. After this, he won’t be back. Sure, it’s a high price, but in four years’ time we’ll all be rid of him for good. Gordon Drennan, Burton (SA)
When will the Democrats storm the Capitol? And when will Trump demand a recount? Isn’t that what’s supposed to happen in a democracy? Les Bienkiewicz, Kensington
I guess we can all be grateful that Elon Musk was not born in the United States, and hence cannot ever run for president. Small mercy. Dale Bailey, St Leonards
Billionaire Elon Musk donated at least $US132 million ($198 million) to Donald Trump and his allies.Credit: AP
Nobody has mentioned how relieved the cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio must be. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
To quote Bertrand Russell, “The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt”. Des Carmody, Bourkelands
Inevitably there will be an influx of immigrants to Australia from the US, escaping the rule of Trump. However, some may end up in New Zealand – most people in the US think it’s part of Australia anyway. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights
I don’t understand why the word “progressive” is used as a pejorative by Trump supporters. If there were no progressives, we would still be living in caves. Manuela Epstein, Pyrmont
There is an old Turkish proverb: “when a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king. The palace becomes a circus”. Charles Hargrave, Elizabeth Bay
Ignore vaccination at your children’s peril
One wonders how many children are at risk because of parents’ neglect, sometimes outright rejection, of vaccinations (“Whooping cough epidemic the worst on record,” November 8). The question is how many other dangerous childhood diseases, for instance diphtheria, might again proliferate for the same reason? Advances in medical science have greatly improved the health of the community, but, sadly, there are still too many people who listen to ignorant opinions and conspiracy theories. Derrick Mason, Boorowa
Powerhouse travesty
Oh the irony (“Powerhouse’s ‘otherwordly’ tin shed scoops design award”, November 9). The “big tin shed” at the Powerhouse Castle Hill storage facility wins the prestigious Sir Zelman Cowen Award and is lauded by the museum’s CEO for the public’s positive response and for the architect’s “attention to longevity”. Meanwhile in Ultimo, the 1988 Powerhouse Museum has won multiple top architectural and industry awards over the years. Yet these accolades and the popular success of the people’s Powerhouse Museum – more than 20 million visitors – have not yet saved it from a wasteful, unnecessary $500 million, deeply unpopular “heritage revitalisation”. In fact, the plan will demolish the 1988 Powerhouse Museum, leaving only three large voids. The museum was built for a life of 100 years – an innovative, adaptive reuse of the already century-old former Ultimo Power House, an achievement that won one if its many awards. Why is the Labor government destroying the cultural jewel of their legacy? A decade of protests to save our much-loved museum will not be dispelled by a shed in difficult-to-access Castle Hill. Stop the fake Powerhouse Ultimo revitalisation, do the repairs and maintenance, renew the exhibitions and reopen the people’s Powerhouse Museum. Jennifer Sanders, Powerhouse Museum Alliance
Powerhouse Castle Hill by Lahznimmo Architects won the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture.Credit: Rory Gardiner
Chemists in cahoots
Two years ago, I wrote to my local federal member with concerns about the lack of competition in the supermarket sector leading to higher prices and less choice for consumers. The response from MP Sally Sitou suggested supermarkets operated in a free market and were free to do as they pleased, and if I didn’t like it I should shop elsewhere. My concerns were simply disregarded. Six or so months later it became such an issue for the government that a senate enquiry is now being held. But now the government has allowed the merger of Chemist Warehouse and Sigma health (“ACCC clears Chemist Warehouse and Sigma’s $8.8b mega deal”, November 8), thereby removing competition from the pharmacy industry and raising the cost for consumers. We now know the government has no intention of easing the cost of living for Australians. Todd Hillsley, Homebush
Save the seabirds
The heart-wrenching mass deaths of mutton birds have been attributed to warmer oceans and associated changes in weather patterns (“Killer bird flu ruled out after ‘mass mortality’ of mutton birds”, November 11). These changed conditions are most certainly endangering the very existence of not just the shearwaters, but multitudes of fauna and flora species as the world continues on the destructive path of global warming. Unless there is a dramatic reduction in emissions, the population of Australia’s most common seabird, and many other species, will be driven to extinction. Roger Epps, Armidale
Horror of child abuse
Too many children live in fear because they are abused by family members. It’s a common crime that must be faced. Professor Caroline Taylor, a survivor herself, will address the first Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children this week (“Survivor on mission to tackle child sex abuse in the home”, November 8). The response must not be just words, but concrete plans for action. The documentary Unbreakable tells of former tennis star Jelena Dokic’s life of daily physical and emotional abuse. “Every day I woke up thinking how do I make sure he doesn’t hurt me today,” she says (“Lifting the veil on the horror abuse tennis ace faced”, November 8). Unfortunately, too many victims don’t get the chance to expose this shameful reality – they should just leave home as soon as they can. Society must stop turning it’s back in horror at child abuse. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
Swim and survive
It’s November and, tragically, the annual drowning season has begun (“Body found in search for missing boy swept off Central Coast beach”, November 6). It is also the season when many people resolve to learn to swim. Unfortunately, they will be taught freestyle, a stroke that’s good for swimming fast in a pool, but difficult to master and tiring when swimming in the sea. We should instead be teaching side-stroke, a variant of breast stroke which allows the swimmer to swim into an oncoming sea with ease. A side-stroker can swim for hours with very little effort. They might not win any races, but they are unlikely to drown. Nicholas Reid, Hughes
Swimming lessons save lives.Credit: Steven Siewert
Union tricks
While I agree that 24-hour public transport is now necessary for a city like Sydney, what on earth has this got to do with pay negotiations (“The threat to stop Sydney’s trains, unless they run 24 hours a day?“, November 8)? It’s not up to unions to decide policies, it up to our elected officials. Making left-field demands like this sounds like a tactic to prolong the dispute until they get what they want. Next they will be demanding new overtime conditions to accommodate the extra hours worked. Tim Douglas, Dulwich Hill
Headstone humour
Your correspondent’s mention of eulogists (Letters, November 6) reminded me of a cousin who lived to a very ripe old age and thought eulogies were a dreadful idea. She described the situation as one in which there is one person lying in a box, and another lying in the pulpit. Meg Vella, Wentworth Falls
Keeping it simple, I’d like to have engraved on my headstone “date produced” (followed by my date of birth), then “best before”, followed by the date of my demise. Alicia Dawson, Balmain
In response to recent letters on death notices, I should add Mrs Mary Smith once rang Herald classifieds to insert her husband’s death notice and was told she still had three words left at no extra charge – so she added “Volvo for sale”. Paul Totman, Mittagong
Postscript
Fairness and equity have been on the minds of readers this week as a series of stories about changes to HECS generated a storm of letters. The argument in economist Chris Richardson’s opinion piece, Why Albanese’s HECS gift is a reverse-Robin Hood, was hotly contested.
“If Richardson wishes to campaign against tax breaks for those on higher incomes, he could choose to start with superannuation, family trusts, negative gearing, capital gains discounts and franking credits,” wrote Rodd Point’s Ross Butler.
The biggest story of the week, however, was the election of Donald Trump, with many readers drawing comparisons with Australia. A Trump-like candidate is unlikely in this country, due to preferential and compulsory voting. But, as Vivienne Parsons pointed out, there are lessons for left-leaning governments.
“It’s dangerous to ignore the working class in favour of the progressive elites; it’s a mistake to hang out with celebrities when your core constituency is struggling to pay the rent; it’s dangerous to continually denigrate your opponents as garbage or deplorable; and it’s unwise to ignore the religious sensitivities of wide sections of the community. The Trump victory will be very unpopular with many people; it is not a narrow one, but one from which similar democracies can learn a great deal about the danger of taking core constituencies for granted.”
Robert Hickey said the Trump victory “means the real challenge for Australia is coping with the tens of thousands of Americans who’ll be looking to emigrate. I imagine they will adjust willingly to our health, education, industrial relations, voting and welfare systems. Vegemite is an acquired taste, anyway. But who is going to hold their hand up to explain the rules of cricket?”
John Cregan wrote in this week, making me laugh out loud. “I’m 86 with plenty to live for, but ready to go if I can take Donald with me,” he penned. This sacrifice would not be necessary, I replied; we cherish all our readers and letter writers! I’m looking forward to celebrating John’s 90th birthday – and a new US president – in 2028.
Margot Saville, letters editor
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