Sir, – Your supplement, After the Bailout (December 13th), gave us insights into the thinking and views of the many contributors on the bailout. For the majority of the citizens of this country the exiting of the bailout meant nothing but continuance of survival in a barren society where families suffer food poverty and suicides occur at a rate of two per day.
Your Front page headline (December 14th) tells us that EU leaders were told to stay away on exit day. It was stated that a visit would be inappropriate: which I read to infer that the four who deign to rule our country needed to show that they were in charge without their masters in attendance.
Edna Kenny’s address to the nation, published in full in your Monday edition (December 16th), was that of a puppet ruler to an oppressed people. A people ruled by compliant non-leaders at the behest of our European masters and taxed beyond reason “to show investors, and markets and our international partners that we were serious about our economic problems” with no regard for social, economic and health well-being of the citizens.
We have many commentators who direct their attention at the wrongs within our systems and institutions and offer possible solutions within the present boundaries and structures. The 10 per cent are comfortable within these structures because they are not discommoded and fear change.
Our Constitution is not fit for purpose; nor are our institutions, political system or electoral system. We need to question all aspects of our society and transform our lives on this island as one people.
A starting point would be for the citizens to be engaged, identify the changes that need to occur and set about creating change beneficial to all. “What can I do?” is the usual refrain, with a shrug of the shoulders.
It is a duty and responsibility of every citizen to use their vote at election time, otherwise we will continue to hand the power to govern to rulers who rule by fear and continue to oppress while garnering excessive rewards of office for themselves and their friends. –Yours, etc,
HUGH McDERMOTT,
The Rise,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.