Madam, - With the recent jailing of the "bin protesters" I could not escape the feeling that I wasted my vote when supporting the Progressive Democrats in the last election. The bin charges represent a concrete example of what I had presumed the PDs to stand for: minimal income tax, increased power and responsibility for local government, and individuals paying their own way.
I know ideology is a dirty word in modern politics but a party must have some beliefs, must represent something. The opportunity to nail colours to the mast arrived and what did the party do? Absolutely nothing. Instead of making this a political issue the PDs allowed it to become a legal issue and a public relations disaster. It is very difficult to see beyond a breast-feeding mother being led off into custody.
Why are no PD members knocking on doors in Fingal and stating the case for service charges? Why did they not see this issue coming and act before the loony left jumped on this cheap chance to gain attention? With the jailing of ordinary citizens in a State whose national legislature houses drunk drivers and tax dodgers, a rational exchange of ideas is next to impossible.
However, with local elections on the horizon, there is a solution. Suspend the charges and turn the local election into a mini-referendum. If local politicians believe strongly enough either way, then they can state their case and let the citizens who will have to pay the charges decide.
It is up to the PDs to be meaningful. The anti-charge campaign has the moral high ground, the working-class accents and real conviction. If they are not taken on by people who are equally willing to do time for their own beliefs and opinions, we will quickly become a country dominated by the loudest voices, not the most representative. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL BOWLER, Rathnew, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - The bin-charge protesters have hit upon a novel approach to collective governance: à la carte taxation.
In my own case, I watch only the news and a bit of sport on RTÉ, so I'd like 50 per cent off my TV licence fee, please. Likewise, my car sits idle in the driveway three days out of seven; where's my motor tax rebate? And when this principle is applied to the general tax pot, the implications are even more interesting.
For instance, why should childless couples be obliged to contribute to the education system? And if someone hasn't seen the inside of a hospital for 10 or 15 years, shouldn't they be entitled to a tax break?
I'll be waiting expectantly to see if my bin is emptied this week. In the meantime, perhaps a protester or two might take the time to address my modest proposal. - Yours, etc.,
STEVE CORONELLA, Shankill, Co Dublin.