State of the nation not as good as it’s painted

WE are told by those who claim to know that our society is becoming ever more prosperous and progressive. Not a day goes by without somebody hyping this country up as shining example for others to follow.

However, the truth is elsewhere. Official reports have pointed out that many people still live in poverty while serious crime is growing rapidly — so much so that our prisons can’t cope and early releases are becoming the norm. Murders, vicious assaults, rapes and burglaries are a daily occurrence.

You are more likely than ever before to be robbed or assaulted while the perpetrators are more likely to get leniency from the courts.

Social injustice is also more evident now. Public housing lists are swamped with applicants who wait for years, often in vain, for a roof over their heads. Meanwhile, property tycoons get huge tax breaks for building shoe boxes on small pieces of ground.

Thousands of people, especially the young, have taken to drug and alcohol abuse and many may never recover from their addiction.

Marriage break-up has never been more prevalent as selfishness, greed and aggressiveness have almost become national characteristics. Our easy-going and benevolent society is a distant memory. There’s no doubt our modern culture is mean and nasty. If things are as good as some claim they are, then why are they so bad?

Maurice Fitzgerald

Shanbally

Ringaskiddy

Co Cork