Sir, - It seems somewhat selective of Noel Dempsey to assert that the branding of a political party as "bastards" undermines politics (The Irish Times, December 11th), while failing to mention many other things that have the same effect.
Here are some examples:
1. Squandering record surpluses on tax cuts that mostly benefit the rich while refusing to take care of the housing problem, the health care crisis and the low-paid.
2. Taking money that was legally earmarked for other purposes to satisfy the short-term political needs of the current government.
3. Waiting for four years to publish a health care strategy and then publishing one that not only fails to reform the health boards but is also unfundable due to the gross mismanagement of our funds.
4. Branding all who disagree with the government line as "left-wing pinkos".
5. Breaking the election promise of a referendum on Partnership for Peace.
6. Tarnishing the international reputation of the country by supporting the nomination of a certain person to a comfortable position in the ECB.
7. Refusing to make politics independent of undue business influence by banning corporate donations.
I would say that all of the above have tarnished politics more than Mr Quinn's election rally comment. While I would not have used the same words as Mr Quinn, I would certainly agree with the sentiment. - Yours, etc.,
Emmet Moorehouse, Zibo, Shandong, China.