Honest appraisal of policies needed

Dear sir - In a democracy, however imperfect, candidates have opportunities to use all the techniques of marketing and persuasion to win support, not least of which is the spoken word. Regrettably and far too often in these situations truth can be the first casualty. For this reason I do pay attention to what is reported as said. The picture of Cllr Peadar Toibin looking extremely happy in the company of Gerry Adams under the caption “Make those responsible payâ€, an interesting statement in itself coming from Sinn Fein, suggested that I read what was said and by whom. I must correct Cllr Peadar Toibin when he says that: “The Government and Fine Gael intends to slash the health services.†Fine Gael is not in Government but in opposition in Dail Eireann where it challenges and opposes Fianna Fail on matters of policy and legislation most especially in relation to its policy on health. Two key elements of Fine Gael's health policy will fundamentally transform the health service for the better. Every citizen will have health insurance, either subsidised or fully funded by the state. If a person becomes ill their health insurance is in place to pay for their care. Combined with a system where a hospital is paid for the proceedures they deliver, not an amount based on last year's out turn, as at present, the patient will avail of a service that is equitable, affordable and socially just. The councillor's claim that Fine Gael has no “job creation strategy†is similarly intended to deceive. I would recommend Fine Gael's 'New Era', 'Jobs Plan' and 'Supporting Small Business' policies to those who will be voting this year. I suspect though that an honest appraisal of those policies would not suit the councillor's purpose. Hence his throwaway remarks. Another such remark, so readily available, appears in the same feature article “Make the bankers payâ€. The culpability of the bankers is well understood and they must be made to pay the penalty. However, coming from Sinn Fein, an organisation well practiced in this art, the irony may have been lost on Cllr Toibin. The terminology of banking seems to feature a lot in the councillor's reported sayings. “I appeal to Labour supporters to lend me their vote,†suggested Cllr Toibin. I would seriously argue against such reckless lending. Further on, I read that the councillor's ideal candidate is expressed in terms of “skill, hard work and the intellectâ€. The absence of any reference to a “heart†a situation where one is impoverished is telling. This ideal candidate as envisoned by Councillor Toibin remains bereft of that deeper understanding where one can imagine a fair and just society. It reminds me of that rhetoric and heartless doctrine so much in evidence during decades of conflict. The conclusion, in the words of Councillor Toibin, is that this hard working “idealâ€candidate “helps to take power of the political elite and give it back to the peopleâ€. I presume the councillor means “off†not “ofâ€. Come to think of it the words could be interchangeable in this case. Councillor Toibin's words seems to imply that there will be a new elite. I am reminded of George Orwell. Yours, Cllr Jim Holloway, Farganstown, Boyne Road, Navan.