So this is how it started…
I was in the car with my brother, both in a revolutionary mood . We were giving out about the state of this that and the other, the usual really and about how quiet we are as a people. “No matter how bad things get,” we said, “nobody seems to do anything about it.” (we included ourselves here). “Right,” we said in unison (because that sounds more dramatic) “we are not going to give out again unless we have done something about it.”
So I went home and gave out to my flatmates about it but nobody seemed to notice. Then my brother sent me a link to contact all TD’s, so I did and gave out to them about it, that too didn’t make much of an impact. In a giving out mood, I decided lets give out to the papers about it and I sent a letter to the Editors of the Sunday editions.
It was taken up by the Business Post and suddenly romantic ideas floated through my head…freedom of speech, marches through the streets, addressing the people from the steps of the GPO… my mind ran rampant as I thought about what I would say to Vincent Browne and should I curtsy when I met McAleese.
Alas my words were minced, the Post printed the meekest two or three lines of what I thought to be the start of my revolution. Here is my original letter…
Dear Editor,
I am writing to you as a young person who did not previously take great political interest in my country. I voted of course, and then I left the job up to those elected…that didn’t work out well!
I am totally appalled at the lack of courage shown by our representatives. Yes I agree, we did get ourselves into this mess, with the aid of European banks I might add, but we cannot lie down and let Europe rape us. Rape is a strong word I know, but that is exactly what they are doing.
Men and women of courage graced these lands and fought for our freedom not so long ago, now we have men and women in pin stripped suits who open every door to Europe and let them invade our fair Isle. Make no mistake, it is an invasion, a financial invasion. If they don’t get us on the battle field they’ll get us in the banks!
Just yesterday I heard that there is a move in Europe to make the corporate tax universal across all member states, something we were promised was sacred. Come on, open your eyes, this is not about what’s best for Ireland, this is about what’s best for the larger European members. We cannot let the bail out go through, we need to default and get ourselves out of this mess. We are our own people, we are a strong and brave people who have been brow beaten by those in power. We need to stand tall, we need to stand together.
Our elected representatives have the fate of a country in their hands. I ask them to take responsibility for it. Have some bloody balls!
Yours Forcefully,
Helena Duggan
Click HERE to see what the Post printed (third article)
The Tribune also took up the letter (I found out today), they didn’t print it complete but it’s a better rendition. Click HERE to have a look.
I think I’ll have to try another tact, anyone for a march?!!
