THEY say that a good laugh strengthens the heart leading to a longer life, and for that sole purpose may the letters from Susan Thomas (Oxford Mail, August 29) continue.

This lady’s reason for recent rioting really does take the biscuit. Apparently half the rioters are bored and starving youngsters.

She gives an example of a young lad allegedly stealing a computer to sell for two pounds, as he was so starved he wanted to buy some chicken wings...

If this young person did what he did, it was probably because he had been educated under a socialist government and was therefore not able to figure out that instead of stealing a computer to sell, he could have stolen a whole chicken from the local KFC.

I don’t profess to know all the causes for recent problems but two of the reasons for sure are bad parenting and lack of discipline at home and schools.

Yes unemployment does play a part, but this is happening all over Europe and America, most of which are governed by socialist governments and they have not had youngsters rioting there.

The other problems, according to Ms Thomas, are the freezing of child benefits and the cuts this co-aligned Government is making. Cuts are taking place in other countries as well, some more so than here (Greece for example).

As far as child benefit is concerned, I think it should be limited for the first three children only, and before the religious lobby start complaining, I am not saying that every family can only have three children.

Every family can have as many children as they like, but after the third child they pay for them and not the taxpayer.

So Ms Thomas, go on sending in your letters, who knows they might go some way towards enabling me to receive a birthday card from the Queen.

NORMAN V ROPER, Stow Avenue, Witney