We need to take to the streets

We now know 87,000 people emigrated in the year up to April 2012.

Up from 80,000 the previous year.

It is revealed that our TDs were paid travel expenses during their eight weeks of holidays. State-owned AIB bank announced it is increasing its variable mortgage interest rate by half of 1% (€60 per month of an increase on a €200,000 mortgage).

More frontline public sector redundancies on the way, our already shrunk numbers of nurses, guards and teachers once again to be cut.

And the big one, on Monday last another big windfall for some lucky nameless unguaranteed, unsecured bondholder, who received a payment from AIB/us, the people of Ireland and our children and our children’s children, of €1bn. It brings our handouts to bondholders up to €18bn so far this year.

That is why I ask when will the people of Ireland wake up and take the power back from these corrupt, back scratching, mind each other politicians and bankers? Are people going to wait until it is too late and we are left with absolutely nothing to feed our children and our unborn children?

Look at it this way, if you are unfortunate enough to be an AIB variable mortgage interest rate holder and have a mortgage of €200,000, this will mean an extra €60 per month, and if you are in this mortgage situation then chances are you also have young children, and as we well know there is also a lot of scaremongering going on at the moment surrounding children’s allowances which will add more to the ever-growing list of outgoings in what is most probably an already struggling household.

It also leaves less money to spend in our local economy which will force more businesses to the wall.

Come on and take to the streets before they take the last bit of bread off our tables.

Mick O’Brien

Doneraile

Co Cork