More taxes not the answer

I WOULD like to respond to Mr Charles Kingston’s letter (Jan 29).

As a former exile of this country for nearly two decades, I would agree with Mr Kingston’s view that emigration for most young people is a positive and rewarding experience.

However, I believe Mr Kingston is missing the point. Firstly, unemployment and emigration due to the economic mismanagement of this country is a social injustice. Secondly, the migration of our intelligent, ambitious and well educated young people is a social, economic and morale loss to Ireland.

Thirdly, it is not just young single people who are forced to migrate in these circumstances, but also families and/or parents of young families. It is a heartbreaking decision for any parent to have to make.

You cannot tax your way out of a recession. Increasing taxes will deepen and prolong our recession.

We cannot hope to repay any government borrowing without economic growth. Yet the collection of established parties running for the current election differ only on the degree to which they will further increase the tax burden on this battered economy.

For this reason, I recently joined the newly formed Irish Democratic party. This party has committed to a liberal agenda (tax reducing).

Even though they will not be putting forward candidates for the upcoming election I hope they will be able to influence policy in the near future.

Sean O’Keeffe

Mallow

Co Cork