Madam, - A report by Deaglán de Bréadún quotes PD leader Ciarán Cannon as follows: "We have triumphed and in our triumph we are leaving the field with a degree of grace and dignity" (The Irish Times, September 17th).
It is somewhat ironic that the party which was to the forefront in advocating the primacy of market forces as a means of ensuring prosperity should be leaving the field at this moment.
With the global credit crunch and the volatility in world markets it is abundantly clear that unbridled capitalism is totally inadequate in the management of modern economies. In both the US and Britain governments have in effect nationalised financial institutions in a vain attempt to protect both homes and pensions of ordinary citizens. The anarchy of the market has stripped tens of thousands of people of their dignity and reduced them to penury and homelessness.
Given the inordinate power and influence that the Progressive Democrats have wielded over the past 20 years and their pernicious role in the privatisation by stealth of health provision in this country, the party's demise is not just timely but desirable. - Yours, etc,
SEÁN and RÓISÍN WHELAN,
Ormond Keep,
Nenagh,
Co Tipperary.
Madam, - Is there not exquisite poetic justice in the perfectly synchronised demise of both the Progressive Democrats and market capitalism, as evidenced by the nationalisation of AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? It looks as if the social democrats were right all along.
As J.K. Galbraith said, there is something wonderful in seeing a wrong-headed majority assailed by the truth. Boston 0, Berlin 2.
Now that this particular tail will be no longer wagging the dog, is there any chance that the Government might finally see the need to reinvigorate the economy, which has been wrecked by inane neo-liberal ideology, and set about providing employment through a programme of major public investment in the State's public infrastructure?
Ireland needs a new deal. - Yours, etc,
GERRY BURKE,
The Cloisters,
North Circular Road,
Limerick.
Madam, - Michael McDowell's love for his country may be beyond question, but having led the Progressive Democrats into the election that would ultimately scupper them, he abandoned the ship first, not last. His absence this week from his parliamentary party's last rites compounds his abdication of responsibility last May. His country, his party and he himself deserved a better legacy. - Yours, etc,
ROBERT ROONEY,
Oristown,
Kells,
Co Meath.
A chara, - The leadership of the Progressive Democrats has decided to call it a day as a political party.
When the pundits and politicians debate the influential role played by the PDs in government, they should also reflect on the wider questions posed to our electoral system and to our democracy when a party that gained less than 3 per cent of the popular vote held two of the most important seats in government. - Is mise,
ERIC CREAN,
Shandon Gardens,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.