Ill-considered medical card cuts just like FF’s ‘mad manifesto’ in 1977

I enjoyed Ivan Yates’s column (October 23) and I agree totally with his view of Fianna Fáil and its lust for power for power’s sake at all times.

I believe the party lost its way the day Seán Lemass retired from office. The present mess they created bears out the adage ‘you reap what you sow.’ The implementation of the medical card scheme for over-70s was not thought out and was just like the mad manifesto of 1977, purely for political gain irrespective of the consequences.

Now, hopefully, people will wake up before they vote next year in the local and European elections.

Your columnist is right also about Micheál Martin. He is really a very good example of another politician who sang dumb during the devastation of the health services in the 1980s.

The unfortunate thing about all of this for ordinary working people is that these so-called legislators are still laughing all the way to the bank and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives. Next year is we have local and European gravytrain elections. This time say no to Fianna Fáil on all fronts and let it be a foretaste of what they can expect at the next general election. Let’s elect those who will ensure that the people who created the mess carry the burden of putting it right.

Damien Scott

Chickley’s Road

Youghal

Co Cork