Wha’s like us?

Almost every human being has the same desire for fairness, but in a strict order of merit.

First – self and family. Second – local community. Third – wider community. Fourth – other humans.

We help others in strict order because of the reciprocation factor – “I may need help some time too” – and there’s a  greater chance of getting it if those I help are as local to me as possible.

Sure, it’s great if the state hands out cash to those in need and the recipients of such largesse will be forever grateful and will make every effort to be worthy of such kindness.

But we all know that is simply not true; it becomes an accepted state of affairs and many take as much as they can by any means they can.

We are no different to our English, Welsh and Irish friends, and those who try to peddle the fairness myth have ulterior  motives.

So, the answer to the question “Wha’s like us?” is … everyone.

Stan Hogarth

Palmerston Place

Edinburgh

Allan Massie (Perspective, 30 September) rightly observes that Alex Salmond over-played his hand by claiming ownership of Scotland and its Saltire and well deserved Gordon Brown’s damaging rebuke.

I was especially offended by the claim that No voters did not care about justice or fairness when that was the very reason why I voted to preserve the Union.

The First Minister’s proposed leap in the dark, his facile white paper and his irresponsible “Peronist” pledges appeared to me the very last route towards a more egalitarian society.

The fact is that many institutions north of the Border, including the Scottish Parliament and – it pains me to admit – the Kirk, have a deserved reputation for cronyism and nepotism.

Scots will be far better served by a quantum leap in local council autonomy than by yet more power being centralised in an unrestrained Holyrood devoid of a second chamber.

(Rev Dr) John Cameron

Howard Place

St Andrews