LAURIE Bullas (Your Letters, Dec 29) makes some very valid points in his comments on the state of the nation and our local communities.

This is in marked contrast to Ray Honeyford (Your Letters, Dec 22) who claims that "Marxists and feminists are wrecking our society".

We hear a great deal about "rights" in our society although, regrettably, less about responsibilities. Perhaps this lies at the very heart of the moral malaise that exists as we start the new millennium.

Politicians do not always lead by example. Those that do champion the vulnerable and serve unselfishly are the exception rather than the rule. Unfortunately, certain politicians prefer to hide behind a facade of respectability which is more a case of "do as I say, not as I do". That cannot be good for democracy nor, indeed, people's perception of politicians.

Some are fully aware of the privilege of serving the community and do the job with great dedication while others use the title to shamelessly pursue their own narrow agenda at the expense of principle or respect for the people they were elected to serve.

The self-seeking greed (as commented upon by Dr. Findon in the Bury Times last month) that has eaten into the fabric of the nation should give us cause for sadness. We need to nurture the next generation of citizens with an emphasis upon values for life and not merely confined to materialism and secular wants and desires.

That places great responsibilities on all of us, especially those of us who are parents and particularly those who serve the public as ambassadors of the community.

Self-interest must give way to service and doing what is right rather than going for the easy option. That lesson starts in the home and should be reinforced by those who purport to serve our community and our nation.

CONCERNED PARENT