How can the Democrats lead a nation they’re busy tearing down?

In his excellent piece “Trump v Biden over what constitutes virtue” (2/9), Paul Kelly wonders whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden possesses the personal magnanimity or political ability to heal the nation.

While the minority progressive-left in Australia virtually mirrors the headline issues of their counterparts in America — white privilege, inequality, racism and climate armageddon, luckily we have a leader in Scott Morrison who, with his belief in fairness, commonsense and pragmatism, is more than capable of uniting the majority of Australians.

As with Biden, Anthony Albanese’s dilemma is that his attempts to seek the middle ground are thwarted by the progressive-left legions supporting him who are seeking radical change. The contrast of the police crackdown in Victoria on anti-lockdown demonstrations as opposed to the Premier effectively condoning the Black Lives Matter demonstrations betrays how ideology can influence fundamentals such as law and order.

Trump is correct when he questions how the Democrats could lead the country when it spends so much time tearing it down.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Paul Kelly’s assessment of the polemic battle for the White House somewhat aligns with the views of an American friend of mine, a noted author and resident of Denver. He submits “that Biden is a Trojan horse for the radical left”, that the contest is “deeper than Biden v Trump, or Democrat v Republican”, rather it’s “Marxism v a free republic”. He makes a point of looking past the personalities of the candidates to focus on which man’s philosophy will best serve the country in its hour of need. It is relevant to point out that only six months ago a Gallup poll revealed that 90 per cent of Americans were satisfied with their lives. Events since then have turned the country on its head but the perception of who is the most likely to return them to that satisfied state will decide the outcome in November.

Kim Keogh, East Fremantle, WA

Unravelling unis

It seems that there is, indeed, something rotten in the state of our universities, Judith Sloan (“Our universities would fail any basic ethics test”, 1/9).

In the thrall of postmodern ideology, they offer a third-rate, single-lens education to our humanities students. Obedient to the religion of climate change, they persecute those who dare question the creed. Seduced by the siren of income from abroad, they pass substandard work from international students. And in the search for ever more sources of funding, along with the mistaken belief that egalitarianism means everyone should go to university, they enrol and therefore must pass the work of students who are unsuited to the academic requirements.

Just as the Peter Ridd case and the current resistance to even discussing the use of hydroxychloroquine give us cause to lose faith in the integrity of our scientific discourse, so does Sloan give us reason to lose faith in those who lead our universities. What has happened? More importantly, what can we do? A royal commission, even with expanded parameters, leaves me underwhelmed.

Jane Bieger, Brisbane, Qld

Palliative myth

That 124 suffering Victorians opted for voluntary assisted dying is no surprise and a signal of success (“Euthanasia laws outstrip forecast”, 2/9).

Opponents to VAD will bleat safeguards and wrongly claim that palliative care can ensure a peaceful death. There is little compassion in their arguments for those who preferred a peaceful death over unrelenting misery. Sadly, the restrictive eligibility criteria in Victoria continues to deny access to others with incurable illness. When that flaw is corrected the law will be an even greater success.

Marshall Perron, Buderim, Qld