IN response to Gillian Hearn’s letter in the Times last week (‘We can all contribute to a more humane Britain’), I fully support her views — surely no caring person could not be moved by the endless news reports of the suffering and distress of people around the world.

In simpler times the answers would be simple, but those times have passed. Most politicians don’t care about the plight of others. They only care about how they are perceived, because if they did care there are many issues for them to address on their own doorsteps. In times past those in power at least gave lip service to higher ideals; now they don’t even bother, because we don’t expect or demand better of them.

I believe for any nation to help others to their feet they must first be standing themselves.

In my lifetime individuals have stood on the moon, been to the deepest part of our oceans, found cures for many deadly diseases, mapped DNA and genetically engineered sheep and tomatoes, yet as a species we seem incapable of rising above petty indifferences, or addressing the main issues of our times. A greater percentage of people than ever before now go to bed hungry and fearful for their safety and more are washing in puddles by the side of roads than when I was a child.

I believe that until we look at what most people aspire to and re-educate ourselves about the important things in life, there is little hope for the less fortunate. How can people look up to individuals who are selfish enough to have acquired wealth in excess of the poorest 50 nations and instead of trying to relieve suffering and hunger just put their wealth into even more money-making endeavours.

Greed is not a good thing, nor is selfishness or an uncaring attitude. Empathy and kindness is now seen as a weakness, but only because we allow it to be. We as a species seem to be cyclical, times and events keep repeating themselves without us learning from them.

The Native Americans said of the white man ‘The earth has enough resources for man’s need, but not for man’s greed’. The truth, however unpleasant, is relevant at any time in history and we must stop trying to reach into our neighbours’ pockets and instead reach for a higher degree of understanding.

Michael Fife Cook

Mary Tavy