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E-mailMichael Clifford (Perspectives, 14 November) certainly cuts to the chase, when dissecting the realpolitik of the Irish statutory electoral/governance system. Characterising the incumbent democratic scenario (Irish-style), as innately parochial and pathetic, highlighting that "accountability does not exist at the highest level", he is absolutely dead right in his transparent assessment and scathing analysis. Gombeenism rules the roost, with greedy ineptitude and self-interest the core qualities driving the representative ranks.
The most shocking thread of Clifford's scan over 'politica-hibernia', is that the Republic's citizens persist with the recurrent perpetuation of this democratic travesty. Again he is spot on, but of course the core conundrum for the electorate is that the system can't shift without Dáil enactments for the required systemic change. This will never likely happen, akin to the turkeys voting for Christmas. We are stranded thus in a bleak persistent limbo.
Yet there is still a decent chance that the grim recessionary steamroller may just possibly obliterate the tired allegiances to ancient political tribalisms, reaping a new harvest of decency and accountability. A wide coalition of 'non-F' political parties might just better serve and deliver. One can only live in hope and happenstance.
Jim Cosgrove
Lismore
Co Waterford
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Some hope! ...ending the tribal attitudes of the electorate? I doubt it. Speaking to the punters out there most have lost faith in all politicains - sadly, as some politicians are genuine. Not all are crooks in the same way that not all are FF.
It would be nice to think working people might vote for a party that represents working people but the primitive Irish will vote instead for corrupt TDs in the hope that they too might share in the spoils of corruption. Leaving behind cute hoorism, gombeenism and sleevenism is a long way off I fear. I hope I'm wrong but I know what the bulk of my countrymen are like and I fear I'm right.