Let those who made the mess pay for it

THE current catchphrase used extensively by the media and the political and business establishment in the run-up to the budget is that everyone must “share the pain” for the good of the country.

Why should workers, the unemployed, the ill, disabled and carers suffer increased hardship and poverty to pay off the gambling debts (€50 billion to date) of the wealthy elite who created our current economic crisis and who continue to live extravagant lifestyles at the expense of working class communities?

This elite did not share their wealth with us. Why should we now “share the pain”?