Madam, – Micheal Casey’s article on crony capitalism and public sector jobs for the boys (Opinion, March 1st) sums up why this country is doomed to failure unless there is fundamental change to our political system.
I would like to suggest that Mr Casey and 47 other intelligent respected individuals stand at the next election on a taxpayers’ manifesto. They would form a one-issue, one-term party dedicated to thoroughly overhauling the way our nation spends the hard-earned taxpayers’ euros. The notion of the taxpayer, working and funding Government spending is the basis of all western nations, yet the taxpayer is taken for granted in Ireland; and vast amounts of his/her money wasted in innumerable ways.
“No taxation without representation” was the slogan of the American leaders over 200 years ago. It also perfectly sums up how I – and I daresay numerous other taxpayers feel at present – as we watch our money disappear down a black hole of quangos, corrupt banks, inefficient archaic procedures, satisfying cliques and vested interests.
A five-term or 10-year plan should be sufficient to implement best practice and meritocracy across the public sector, and encourage the creativity and entrepreneurship to make Ireland a dynamic success once again. Standing for one term would mean being free of the usual gaggle of vested interests, and all decisions would be taken in the best interests of the nation. There would also be a programme to make our society fully open and accountable – a true “Republic”, rather than one in name only.
I’m even prepared to offer a name for this programme for recovery: does not “2020 Vision” have a nice ring about it? – Yours, etc,