I read Mr Bridge's article in last week's Weekend Sun (February 9). I am a pensioner and tax cuts would be welcome. But more welcome would be efficient hospitals, more hospitals, more staff; doctors and nurses. The ones we have are grossly overworked. We need more equipment ­– it's no joke to be in pain and wait four months for an MRI scan. To wait weeks and weeks for the visit of a district nurse because there are not enough of them.

There are many other needs in this country too; more police, more schools, more teachers etc., all paid for by the taxpayer.

As our population increases so do its needs. If you reduce taxes how do you propose to pay for these services?

Tax cuts are tempting but is the National Party so cynical about the intelligence of the populace? Do they think we are so stupid we cannot see the big picture?

Tax cuts­– is this the best you can do to catch votes?

V Dolden, Papamoa.