Politicians, developers and banks ruined Ireland, not 'our greed'
Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Sir, I was struck by the difference in how two prime ministers came across at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. The Danish prime minister uttered two profound statements, worthy of a leader.
She said, "austerity should be spread fairly", which was a very moral sentiment indeed. She also added a statement Confucius would have been proud of: "Some people said the financial institutions and the banks were too big to fail, but we have a term or saying, that some feel people are too small to matter."
Enda Kenny on the other hand decided to blame our greed for the state of the nation. It would be no harm to remind Enda that, as every election approached in 'boom' times, his party and the Labour Party tried to outdo reckless Fianna Fáil in promising even more cuts in taxes. Has he forgotten this so quickly?
No Enda, politicians, developers and the banks ruined Ireland.
Tell the young couples who, even with two salaries, had to get assistance from their parents to buy a modest house, sometimes no more than a glorified matchbox, that they were greedy.
Tell those of us who lived in 'rip off Ireland' during that period that we were greedy in trying to keep up with the cost of living.
Tell those who have had to give up private health insurance and rely on a dysfunctional health service that they are greedy.
Tell the hard pressed parents who now see no future for their children, because of your unwillingness to take on the ECB, that they were also greedy in trying to provide for those children.
Instead of feeling honour bound to pay an unjustly imposed debt why not come to your senses and feel honour bound to the innocent people who pay your generous wages. Sincerely, Gerry Cournane, Tralee.
