Sir, – Two articles in The Irish Times on September 1st highlight the reasons why the gap between image and reality contributed to the economic collapse in this country and why we should be wary of the extremist reaction against the consequential austerity.
The first article, in the Business section, is by Paul Krugman, who writes about "political poseurs with a knack for public relations" who had "the good luck to hold office during a huge housing bubble" but when the bubble burst "now look pathetic".
The second article, in the Opinion & Analysis section, by Paul Mason, talks about the European left waging an "economic war" by "taking to the streets and rioting".
However, the problem is that this tactic in Greece led to “a humiliating retreat” and a third bailout.
Too much of the media coverage of our current situation consists of cheerleading the demands of every vested interest and denouncing the very idea that vital public services have to be paid for.
The gap between image and reality is still too wide for comfort in a very uncertain world. – Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.