Equality needed in age of austerity

PROTEST marches like the recent one in Dublin against further austerity measures in the next budget have their place, but we can march ‘till the cows come home for all the good it will do in terms of influencing government thinking.

We have, however, one powerful weapon in our armoury that will certainly effect change quickly but we must be prepared to use it collectively and effectively, and for however long is necessary. We can simply refuse to pay or delay payment of the €100 household charge on a nationwide basis which will starve the government of €360m. Our demands, though simple, must be based on common sense, justice and on spreading the pain of the current lopsided austerity measures in a more equal and fair manner, for instance:

* All grotesque and unsustainable severance packages, perks and pensions paid to all retired politicians, senior civil servants and bankers to be retrospectively taxed at the rate of 90%.