Leo’s kick in the teeth

THE Taoiseach promised a break for the working classes, who pay for everything, including welfare for unemployed, etc.

He gave an extra €5 per week for welfare, yet only a pittance in tax and USC relief. Then came the sting in the tail: who was going to fund the welfare increases? Very simple answer: cut the mortgage interest relief on the workers.

This was the most despicable and unnecessary cut ever made by any government, because the real kick in the teeth will be felt by the working classes over the next 20 or 30 years left on their mortgages.

They will then realise what an ugly and sinister move that was imposed on them. One thing that baffles me, is why are the union reps so silent on this issue? Do they hope that it will be accepted quietly by the people who pay for their own homes, their own health insurance (which is almost compulsory), medical, dental, pension plans, school and college costs (no grants), etc?

If they are not exhausted, I appeal to all workers to contact their unions, TDs and councillors, and voice their anger, and threaten action at the next election.

If the unions do not act, simply stop your membership contributions, as they are a total waste anyway.

They are the same unions who allowed governments over the years to halve the tax relief on mortgages and health insurance, so why should we expect any action from them now.

Of course, TDs know that the unemployed and pensioners have loads of time and energy to vote, whereas the workers are too exhausted and depressed to bother, so that explains the fiver!

Why aren’t elections held on weekends, when workers might have the time and energy to vote? The long-term TDs know the answer.

Finally, Leo and Micheál, get one of your well-paid advisers to read what happened to Brutus and his cronies after Mark Anthony used the phrase ‘this was the most unkindest cut of all’.

In modern Ireland, the plebs will use the ballot box rather than the sword. S. Ó DONNCHA, Co. Galway.