Please, Santa, put the boot in

Dear Santa, I have been a very good boy these last few years.

I didn’t make any noise when the Government signed a bank guarantee that in reality has only guaranteed pain to the population, while bankers continue on high wages and pensions.

I didn’t stand up when I heard of the ridiculous allowances, pensions and expenses our TDs get. I never moved when AIB bankers said there would be no magic bullet for people in debt, but AIB got a €24bn magic bullet.

I said nothing as soup kitchens opened around the country, while ministers drank wine in Doha. I remained quiet when the Government decided to attack the disabled, elderly and children, but not people earning over €100,000. I hid under the covers as homeless people died in doorways. I held my tongue while the bankers that caused this continue to walk our streets and the ex-TDs that aided them relax on huge pensions. I remained schtum as the Government decided I should pay for these failed banks.

Santa, all I want for Christmas is a good pair of boots and a warm jacket, as I plan now to start shouting on the streets. Not in support of the opposition parties or independent TDs, but in support of my neighbours, the elderly, the children, the disabled, the homeless, the working poor, the sick; basically everyone who’s not a banker, a politician, an ex-property developer or speculator.

I have decided that being a good boy is no longer an option, it’s time to get noisy.

But Santa, what I’m really looking forward to, is the Dáil break... I will have four weeks of peace and not have to listen to the blather that Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore and his team utter every day.

Please Santa, save us from this crowd.

Conan Doyle

Pococke Lower

Kilkenny