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%.

* Not a cent more to be paid to any of our zombie banks. They have had more than three years by now to correct their balance sheets, not to mention billions of taxpayers’ money.

* All salaries for politicians including the President and the Taoiseach, the public service including semi-state bodies and our zombie banks to be capped at a handsome €100,000 per annum.

* All monies saved to be used for job creation and relief for those who need it most. Nothing unreasonable in that in our current dire circumstances. We are living in a time of extreme emergency and the Government, if it discovers the will and the courage, still has some moral authority as well as sufficient numbers, and has a duty of care for all our citizens, not just the elite.

Like de Valera in 1939, the Government could invoke emergency powers legislation focused on getting control of the economy and introduce a range of emergency measures such as those outlined to balance the pain.

These proposals would spread the load in a more equitable manner and give the so-called elite who banjaxed the country an opportunity to experience some elements of austerity at first hand.

They would also short circuit any urge for less benign marches and violent street protests which are inevitable in the near future if the current policies continue.

To achieve the objective all we have to do is to decide to do nothing, collectively.

John Leahy

Wilton Road

Cork