Madam, - Despite your Editorial of June 23rd playing down its significance, the current debate on the role of the Progressive Democrats in Irish politics and society is welcome, and long overdue. The PDs were born out of one man's unfulfilled political ambitions, and since its foundation this party has enjoyed a very easy ride, particularly in elements of the media which normally do not hesitate to scrutinise extremist parties.
In the past few general, local and European elections, the PDs have attracted approximately 3 to 4 per cent of voters. But in spite of its lack of electoral support, the party has two powerful Ministers in the current Government. This fact allows PD members to boast (without any hint of humility) that their party "punches above its weight" in Government. This boast is fundamentally anti-democratic and disguises a thinly veiled contempt for more than 95 per cent of the voters, who want no truck with the PD ideology of greed.
True, PD voters are over-represented among the great and the good of Irish business leaders, the professions, and - dare I say it? - the established media. These societal "leaders" appear to believe in a plutocracy of their combined intellects and unique insights on what is right and proper for a modern, deregulated economy.
This mindset is best revealed in Michael McDowell's pronouncement on the benefits of inequality. It does not take a genius to work out that the core PD ideology is that those who are morally and intellectually superior to the masses (i.e. the Progressive Democrats) should exercise an influence in Irish society and politics, that is in no way inhibited by their tiny electorate.
Thus multi-millionaire bullies in the world of Irish big business act as cheerleaders for this party of the hard right, and castigate anyone who dares to question the mantras of privatisation and rugged individualism. It is no coincidence that the increasing vulgar ostentation and materialism of Irish society reflects the rise in political influence of the PDs over the last two decades.
The vast majority of us who do not vote for the Progressive Democrats do not deserve to be subjected to policies driven by an ideology that is alien to the genuine republican principles of liberty, equality and fraternity for all. If there is one iota of principle remaining in Fianna Fáil, the party would pull the plug on this awful Government and let the people have their say on the type of society they want in 21st-century Ireland. - Is mise,
DENIS RODGERS, Edmondstown Road, Dublin 16.