Sir, Vincent Browne's call for the "eradication of inequality" (January 17th) serves as a reminder that intelligence confers no immunity against the deceptive charms of socialism. Someone should sit down quietly with Mr Browne and explain that socialism has never worked and never will. The futility of using the tax system to redistribute income is well proven in countries like Sweden and Belgium incentive is stifled, talented people emigrate and the actual redistribution is negligible. In Ireland, when even a modest management salary is taxed at 48 per cent it is hardly surprising that so many entrepreneurs move abroad, taking their talents and ideas with them.
As much as he is in favour of penal rates of taxation, Mr Browne seems to be against privatisation and competition, when the sclerotic state of so many of our public services cries out for more of both. Mr Browne's faith in the ability of the State to organise our lives for us would be touching if it were not so depressing. Yours, etc., Victoria Court, Ennis, Co Clare.