It’s time to get real about wealth and taxes

The long-established Irish political system received a major wake-up call last weekend, with the emergence of scores of candidates without a semblance of a coherent economic or social policy between them, other than to refuse to pay for vital public services and tax those with any semblance of wealth to the hilt.

I spoke to a well-paid professional during the week who was proud of how he voted. He doesn’t seem to get it that his candidate pretty much despises and resents everything that he stands for. People do not always act in their own self-interest, but it will be interesting to observe over time if he comes to regret his decision, particularly if this week’s results are replicated in a general election.

I canvassed for a friend who ran successfully as an Independent in Dublin over the past three months, and the views I heard on the doorstep were sufficient to convince me that this would be no ordinary election, and so it has turned out.