Month: December 2013
This “Ireland as a success story” rhetoric is based on empty spin
In 1984, George Orwell gave us a perfect description of the rhetoric of the Irish government, the European Commission and their hangers-on when promoting Ireland’s bailout exit. He defined doublethink: “To tell deliberate lies, while genuinely believing in them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient…”.
Bailout ‘exit’: a return to sovereignty or Troika rule by another name?
With the government preparing to milk the 15 December 'exit' from the bailout, hyperbole is being heaped upon hyperbole to welcome the 'return of sovereignty' to Ireland. The government, and in particular the Labour Party, want to use this supposed success story and the good mood it creates to carry them through the difficult local and European elections next May. What is the reality of this 'exit' and the true state of democratic control by people in Ireland over economic and other policies?
The PDF of this paper can be downloaded and printed here.
Southern Irish economy – analysis & perspectives
Caution is necessary when investigating figures for the economic situation in Ireland. There are economic vested interests at work that benefit from spinning every scrap of positive news. The media fully assist this and try to manufacture a mood or belief that substantial progress is just around the corner. So as well as trying to identify perspectives, it is necessary to take up the arguments and the propaganda that is being put forward constantly.
Property & water taxes – What’s needed now to fight austerity?
As the property tax is set to double and water charges are being prepared, Cllr Ruth Coppinger looks back over the campaign against the property tax and on the type of campaign needed now to fight austerity.
After Nelson Mandela – continue the struggle for freedom & equality
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is rightly revered worldwide as a statesman ranking along great figures of history like Martin Luther King. He is recognised for his role in the defeat of one of the most reviled regimes on the planet and one the most odious systems of oppression and exploitation in history.
Review: The Risen People by James Plunkett
Extreme-right parties in Europe form alliance
The EU’s crisis and extreme austerity measures has opened up the potential for right-wing extremist and racist parties to become the largest polling parties in several countries in the European elections, in May 2014. The Front National in France and the Dutch PVV recently formed an alliance to which they invite other right-wing populist parties.
Review: It’s time to take over the banks
Dave Murray, Socialist Party England and Wales, reviews the new "It's time to take over the banks" FBU pamphlet by Michael Roberts and Mick Brooks. Introduction by Matt Wrack, general secretary, FBU. Available online at www.fbu.org.uk
Still no “bailout” for bubble mortgages
In the midst of talk about Ireland’s exit from the Troika programme and recovery supposedly in sight, the mortgage crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of ordinary people is being deliberately understated.