This letter is in response to Lloyd Goodleigh's article 'The law is an ass' in In Focus, December 27.

I just read your insightful column, and thought I would ask a few questions.

Do we, as a country, believe in being held accountable or responsible for our actions?

Why is it that PMs, MPs or political parties have difficulty in admitting wrong and resigning if the magnitude of the mistake demands it? Political/party infalibility?

Are incentives and concessions not just legalised corruption?

Are bribes seen by the 'bribers/bribees' as their concessions in a land of 200,000 incentives/concessions?

Are there any MPs that do not benefit from concessions?

Should the laws of the land not be applied to everyone impartially?

Do statements such as "The law is not a shackle" and "He who plays by the rules get shafted" say we do not want to be accountable?

Why amend the Pension Act which sets a maximum pension of 75 per cent of final salary, and before the ink is dry the PM gives himself a pension of 100 per cent of final salary plus future increases?

Were most MPs not self-employed prior to being MPs, and therefore, were part of the majority that did not pay taxes?

Do we expect the main beneficiaries to change the system?

Do we have the fortitude as a country to implement the necessary solutions and not look for a 'deus ex machina'?

I am, etc.,

Earle Howard

howardearle@flowja.com