Madam, – I agree with Sean O’Cuinn (August 24th), that our democratically elected leaders are “entitled to our respect”. That does not mean, as alleged by Mr O’Cuinn, that when we do criticise them and hold them to account we are indulging in “begrudgery” or “negativity”. Given the cost that the mistakes of the present Government is imposing on each and every one in this country, that criticism is warranted.
The day in which the powerful celebrity politician was indulged and got the run of the media should be a thing of the past. If all of us were much more critical and less obsequious to those who were acting on our behalf in positions of power and influence perhaps the country would not be in as much trouble as it is.
Yes, we should show personal respect to our politicians. But we should be much more critical of their actions as leaders of our society than we have been in the past. – Yours, etc,