Tax, poverty and social exclusion

Madam, - Seamus Mulconry's reply (December 6th) to the calls of Cori for social justice at least explains why the PDs are so…

Madam, - Seamus Mulconry's reply (December 6th) to the calls of Cori for social justice at least explains why the PDs are so opposed to policies that would yield greater wealth distribution and thereby more fairness and cohesion.

They are mistaken in the view that what went on behind the Iron Curtain was socialism and that the establishment of a fairer and more just society can only be achieved by such state dictatorship. This, of course, is nonsense and there are many models to show how a society can order its affairs to keep the gaps in the socio-economic ladder at a minimum so that each citizen can share in the wealth generated by the community.

Indeed there is a strong argument that the success or failure of a government ought to be judged only on how the gap between the rich and the not so rich has been managed. In this regard the present government, which is heavily influenced by the PDs, is an abject failure, as shown by the soaring crime rate and the viciousness and brutality that have become part and parcel of this lawlessness.

Mr Mulconry tells us that a Google search will yield not a single other person so named. After the next general election, he may have to use the same search engine if he wishes to contact a person who voted for his party. At least, in the interests of my community, I fervently hope that to be the case. - Yours, etc.,

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JIM O'SULLIVAN, Rathedmond, Sligo