A chara, - Can one sense a growing confusion in the mind of the Tánaiste? Mary Harney's embrace of New Right philosophy as detailed in your edition of August 2nd effectively contradicts her assertion in your newspaper on July 26th that "notions of left and right are outdated".
On both occasions she sought to address the rejection of government parties at the recent local and European elections by articulating an "equality of opportunity" outlook on behalf of the Progressive Democrats. However, while the earlier article attempts to justify the PD position by listing some of the more centrist Government policies, her advocacy of a regime that refuses to tax the super-rich is perhaps a more accurate measure of her party's distinctly right-wing approach to politics.
While notions of "left" and "right" are undoubtedly simplistic and cumbersome, by its common usage the latter can surely be applied to the PDs. Their platform has its foundations in the economics of Hayek and Friedman. It is reinforced with Thatcherite iron on social policy and finished with a thin veneer of "equality of opportunity", disguising a sharp rightward tilt.
Given her confusion over her true political identity, might I suggest that Ms Harney stop codding herself that her party and Government stand for the same society as the rest of us, drop the "meritocracy" nonsense and openly admit their promotion of wealth, greed and inequality. It's the right thing to do. - Is mise,
DERMOT LOONEY, St Columba's Road, Greenhills, Dublin 12.
Madam, - It is useful that Mary Harney has stated in concise terms what her party's philosophy is: that life is a competition with winners and losers.
Irish voters who do not share this cut-throat ideology should focus their dissent not on Mary Harney's tiny band of extremists, but on Fianna Fáil, the silent and powerful collaborator which allows it to be implemented. - Is mise,
BARRY McCREA, Yale University, Connecticut, USA.