Sir, - Last week you headlined the expected the formation of an anti-sleaze political party (The Irish Times, July 7th). Like most political commentary these days, the article made little sense. Why was there a need for such a party, when there were two existing parties with a proven record of opposing sleaze and cronyism, namely the Greens and the Labour Party? What The Irish Times was welcoming, but refused to say explicitly, was the formation of an honest pro-capitalist party.
There seems to be a form of inverted political correctness that forbids any reference to our living in a class-based capitalist society. This is exemplified by the way that the recent scandals are discussed. There is vague talk about "golden circles" and "people who might know a Supreme Court judge". Can anyone think of a business or profession that could be said to have stood bravely against the suspect practices unearthed by the tribunals? We are not dealing with rotten apples or cliques, but an entire class of business and professional leaders who stand accused, a class known as the "bourgeouis" before it became politically incorrect to even advert to their existence as an entity.
Is it not obvious that they will not submit to the laws of the State until it is in their interest as a class to do so? Why should they give up their cosy benefits until there is some downside to the existence of golden circles?
The only curb on the freedom of the ruling class is the possibility of the election of a government vaguely hostile to their interests. This has never happened in Ireland. Until a government can be formed that is not dominated by Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, these people will carry on as they always have. There will never be an honest right-wing party in Ireland until there is a real threat of a left-wing government.
Does The Irish Times really think that the "cute hoor" tendency will undergo a Damascene conversion because a few yuppie boy-scouts get elected? Only the fear of a left-wing government, threatening taxation of profits and wealth, will concentrate the minds of these people sufficiently to make them give up their more objectionable practices. - Yours, etc.,
Tim O'Halloran, Ferndale Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.