A movement has been ongoing in Ireland during the past year. This started with the Campaign Against Household & Water Taxes (CAHWT) and has evolved to become the Campaign Against Property Tax & Austerity (CAPTA). CAPTA has come about as a result of many hundreds of thousands of households (approx 700,000) refusing to pay taxes which are being used to bailout corrupted banks, financial speculators and unsecured bondholders - who have been largely responsible for the economic crisis in Ireland.
The household tax, and now the property tax (which is more accurately a tax on people's homes) are yet more burdens placed on the ordinary people of Ireland who have already contributed to a universal social charge (USC) which is taken directly from every person's income, as well as continuing cuts to public services, increases in other taxes such as motor tax, and a high cost of living and increased VAT rate (which Irish is the sixth highest in the EU at 23% - up from 21% in recent years). On top of all this is an environment of high unemployment - currently at 14.8% (2012) - it's highest since 2007 when the global recession started. This unemployment rate represents over 324,000 people, a figure which would be even higher if Ireland was not witnessing mass emigration of approximately 200 people per day.
Last year, news of the implementation of a household tax upon Irish families was announced. The household tax would be a flat rate of €100 per house, with an additional monetary fine if you refused or otherwise did not register. This household tax was defeated as a result of a mass boycott by the CAHWT movement (slightly more than 50% of households refused to pay, even after threats of fines and court proceedings) and became obsolete in January 2013. However, the household tax was replaced by a so-called 'property tax' on people's homes. The property tax is equal to 0.18% of most peoples' house value, or €400 on average per year. It should be noted that the property tax does not affect business properties, but just homes and is therefore, in effect, a home tax.
CAPTA is calling for the boycott of the property tax and a mass active movement to protest it. In West Dublin, one of the largest populated areas in Ireland, support for CAPTA is a significant majority. Indeed, it is in this area where the campaign has been largely initiated by left-wing activists such as Joe Higgins TD, Cllr. Ruth Coppinger and Cllr. Matt Waine as well as ordinary people dedicating their free time to the cause.
Revenue will have the ability to eventually procure the property tax from home owners, but this process should be made as difficult as possible for the revenue commissioners to do so by refusing to respond to their requests for information on your home and ultimately registration for the tax. However, a boycott alone will not be enough. There has already begun, a massive campaign of activism against this tax through occupations, marches and other initiatives to place huge pressure; in particular, pressure on the Labour party, which is the weakest link in the current Government. The Fine Gael & Labour coalition is a large coalition with the ability to rush through any legislation without much opposition in the Dáil, although it is a fundamentally weak coalition due to the opposing ideologies of the parties.
We see, for example, that the various political forms of the modern European states serve to strengthen the domination of the bourgeoisie over the proletariat. - V I Lenin
Probably more pertinent than the current economic decline - and it is inherently linked to it - is the decline of democracy in Ireland and globally. 'The convergence between the crisis of democracy and the financial and economic global crisis is a major social and political threat' (Pavel; 2012). Let's look at recent political and media behaviour in Ireland and elsewhere for some insight on how it might reflect a system which is not realistically democratic.
Labour, prior to their election, promised to 'protect child benefit'; a promise we now know was just a false selling-point to win votes before the general election. Labour Minister Pat Rabbitte was questioned about that broken promise on RTÉ recently to which he admitted, 'Well isn't that what you tend to do during an election'. This, coming from a Labour minister is particularly significant because they were seen by their voters as being somehow different; that they would protect the working-class from economic injustices and exploitation. In the US, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper moderated a Republican presidential debate and asked one of the candidates an immigration-related question. The candidate effectively ignored the question and rambled on. When he was pushed by Cooper to answer more directly, the politician said, 'You get to ask the questions, I get to answer like I want to'.
Partly due to these kinds of attitudes, there is a perceived disregard, and real disregard for the principles, hopes and will of ordinary people by capitalist politicians. Mainstream media should receive a large portion of blame for this. If it is taken for granted that politicians lie, corporate and state-funded media add to this decline of democracy by knowingly broadcasting political lies without properly or sufficiently addressing them as such. As I discuss later, it's in the media's interest not to fully address these discrepancies and lies.
At the recent children's referendum, there was a turnout of just 33.5% according to the Irish Times. Add to that the fact that the Government illegally used taxpayers money to pay for its own propaganda during the referendum campaign; yet, to my knowledge, there has been no outcry or calls from mainstream media to have another fair and democratic referendum (update: Irish Times report claims information material had an 'emotional influence' on electorate - it was not neutral). There were also no political parties, and no visible media campaign which highlighted concerns about passing the referendum. Few questioned why we were having this particular referendum, when the X Case still has to be legislated for regarding abortion rights - which would have seemed a greater priority - and has come back to haunt the Government since the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar. These alone combine as an extremely worrying trend of events. The children's referendum was no doubt needed, but it was executed poorly, and was used mainly as a PR excercise for a Government coalition losing popularity.
The children's referendum is not a one off event regarding poor turnout. The fiscal treaty, or austerity treaty referendum also had very low turnout of just 50.6% according to RTÉ. With such low turnout numbers, even for more immediately significant referenda such as the "austerity treaty", one must question if the electorate in Ireland feel listened to, or recognise that their vote holds a level of importance? If there was a sense that our voices would be heard, or that the constitutional questions being asked of us were truly relevant, I expect turnout would be far higher. In reality we have no say over our constitution at all - we merely answer a question put forward to us by the politicians who happen to be in power at the given time - and their motives are entirely divorced from the majority of the population (that is except candidates from the socialist party, who actively campaign for a revolutionary more advanced and just social and economics system).
Ireland is not alone in witnessing the shredding of its democracy - if you can call it that. Britain has also witnessed very low, and ever reducing voter turnout in the past few decades. This has the affect of limiting the diversity and dynamic of ideological viewpoints within a parliament. In Britain, the majority vote for liberal, Tory or labour politicians, whose parties shuffle in and out of power in an almost cyclical manner time and time again. We all realise this. It has occurred in Ireland time and time again too. After decades of this to-ing and fro-ing, portions of the electorate believe it pointless to waste their vote on other, less widely publicised alternatives - if they are even aware that other alternatives exist; disillusionment grows; some think it pointless voting at all; it continues until massive portions of society discover that the "elite" political system does not represent their interests - which it doesn't; society, hopefully reacts in a fight for an alternative or it decays even further. Surely, a political system which goes through such a mundane and futile cyclical process is evidence that none of those parties, which are continually elected, offer any real solution or change to society's constant problems.
Turnnout at British general elections since 1945
In the US it is even worse. Although there are many political viewpoints, including socialist and communist ones, only two are represented through the mainstream media. It is effectively a two-horse-race within one ideological system (not too far removed from the USSR's one-party system). The political viewpoints which separate either Democrat or Republican presidential candidate is really a matter of splitting hairs. Arguments have been made after the recent US presidential election that the media helped Obama win, and hindered Mitt Romney. This is missing the point. The US mainstream media certainly do decide who wins the election; They do their utmost to ensure that the presidential elections are won by one of either two people that they favour - a Democrat or a Republican.
US Presidential election turnout since 1824. 2012 turnout was 59%
Just like most European governments, the US government has become a tool of management and regulation for a capitalist society where big-business' profit is the overall priority.
Ireland has become such a society over the course of the past century. We, as a people, are being intentionally distracted and pacified by Government officials acting in the interest of private organisations. This pacification is achieved through a range of corporate sponsorship of the media and PR agencies acting directly on behalf of the Government. You don't have to look far to find major academics' analysis of this. Hence the best we can hope for from said politicians is a regulatory role which minimises the harm of such corporations and investors upon the public - but in a recession, even that does not occur, in fact, the opposite is occurring.
"For the general population... it's been pretty harsh. And it could get worse. This could be a period of irreversible decline. For the 1% and even less - the one-tenth of the 1% - it's just fine. They are richer than ever, more powerful than ever, controlling the political system, disregarding the public. And if it can continue, as far as they're concerned, sure, why not?' (Chomsky; 2012; 32)
Getting back to the media's failure to address political discrepancies. So, if it is getting worse for the 99% and better for the 1%, why doesn't the media address this and the fact that the four most popular parties in Ireland offer no solution or alternative to this problem of inequality? Well doing so, would be to encourage revolution - and the media has a vested interest in not encouraging revolution.
The mainstream media is mainly a class of people who have a direct or indirect interest in maintaining the status-quo. Journalists, presenters and researchers, like anyone else, are ambitious to progress their careers; owners of media corporations would like to increase profits. Profits are made through advertising - and advertising is driven by programmes which garner larger audiences for the corporations placing their advert there. To make a programme interesting, the focus is often on drama -whether fictional or otherwise - rather than on relevant, insightful and factual subject matter. Simply, encouraging revolution, would be encouraging the possible end of corporate controlled media, by the death of advertising, without which most of our largest media organisations would not survive in their current form. Ultimately, private businesses and the media provide what a state cannot convincingly provide - effective and sophisticated propaganda.
It's not always the case that individuals are actively and consciously conspiring to uphold a political system. In fact, many are critical of it. However, due to time constraints, journalists may not have time for a lengthy piece covering the minutiae of political rhetoric and policies. They do not have time, because space for adverts, and the programmes which drive the audience to them take priority. But most critical journalists simply act as reformists. They may encourage public outcries regarding certain issues in order to create political pressure to improve the system slowly and in small increments. But the economics of the system - which ultimately is the cause of most problems - would remain the same; and the same natural and inevitable problems and injustices would result. This brings us back to the topic of the blog; that we need to change the system, not just the current Government parties.
Recent opinion polls indicate, (also http://politicalreform.ie/category/opinion-polls/) that Fianna Fáil have gained popularity since their humiliation in the 2011 general election. They are now the second most popular party in Ireland, behind Fine Gael. Sinn Féin have also risen in the polls. We are seeing a repeat of the cyclical process; to what end?
The household tax, which was opposed by 700,000 households in Ireland, was not actively opposed by any of these parties until late in 2012. So, what is their credibility in the minds of voters? CAPTA is fought for by ordinary people, regardless of their political affiliation who early in the campaign, sought support from Sinn Féin, which they did not receive. Now that the campaign has proven popular, Sinn Féin are ready to jump on the bandwagon.
Fianna Fáil are being prioritised for interviews* as representatives of the opposition to the property tax on RTÉ, ahead of CAPTA members, yet Fianna Fáil were responsible for the conditions which brought the implementation of the household tax, water tax, property tax and other austerity measures about.
Arriving at the main point; Ireland's democracy is certainly not a healthy one. If you understand that our society needs to improve its democratic process, we need to change the parties who govern the population, but that is not enough. We need to elect parties who will actually change the system. We all need to have an active part in this. CAPTA is a fine example. It is an example of ordinary people - who until now have been passive - becoming politically aware and active in campaigning to make change to the system. *A recent example of media bias regarding alternative polical/economic systems: RTÉ is a state-funded organisation and the most popular television and radio broadcaster in Ireland. Obviously, this places them in a partial position regarding political coverage. Recently, regarding CAPTA, RTÉ refused to interview members to a debate with a Fine Gael minister regarding the CAPTA movement. CAPTA (formerly CAHWT) has been the only credible Campaign Against Property Tax & Austerity. Ironically RTÉ chose to invite a Fianna Fáil politician as a representative of opposition to the property tax instead - FF were the party who originally approved the introduction of a household tax by the Troika.
At the time of writing this, the ULA, remain the only members (Irish Times, the Journal) of the Technical Group in Dáil Eireann not to have requested Mick Wallace to stand down after he was found to be liable of un-declared VAT payments of approximately €1.4 million. I feel that this stance is detrimental to the campaigns that the ULA are involved in.
The prolific debate about Mr. Wallace's future as TD is one with hypocrisy evident on both sides. Fianna Fáil cannot be completely critical of Mr. Wallace without drawing-up reminders that they were recently one of the most corrupt parties in Ireland. Fine Gael are not guiltless in this regard either.
Also, from the perspective of some (journal comments), it may be difficult to understand the press' portrayal of this story as it would appear inconsistent with their portrayal of other similar stories which they report (or don't report) about corruption and alleged corruption in Irish politics.
The press' portrayal of this issue is not without its own apparent bias. The Irish Independent, Ireland's most popular newspaper, has linked the story of Mick Wallace to the Campaign Against Water and Household Tax (CAWHT) for no obvious reason. However, one might reasonably conclude the Independent's allusion to CAWHT in this instance might be to further the Irish Independent's own particular interests. There is no relevance between the CAWHT and the tax dodging of individual Mick Wallace except for the fact that he happened to support that campaign.
That being said, have the press acted inappropriately by highlighting this story to the public? I believe they have not. Highlighting this kind of story is precisely the point of having a free media.
So, we can see then that there are certain inconsistencies in the handling of this story by politicians, and mainstream media coverage may not be completely genuine. But it still remains that the ULA's position of not suggesting Mr. Wallace stand down places them too in a hypocritical position of their own.
The ULA have achieved this by failing to fully clarify their position about a TD who has been useful to their own interests, while simultaneously criticising the Government for not completely denouncing TD's who had also been found to have acted improperly in the past.
The Socialist Party's stated reason for not completely condemning Mr. Wallace was:
'...the Socialist Party has not joined the frenzied chorus in the media demanding Wallace’s immediate resignation. In taking this position we believe we are reflecting the view of many
ordinary people in Wexford and of those who voted for [Mick Wallace], who condemn
what he did but who don’t believe it means he shouldn’t be a TD to
represent their area... The media are not impartial observers. A substantial part of the media
is owned by billionaires and millionaires who have a vested interested
in pushing a right wing political agenda. No doubt Wallace provoked
their ire when he opposed the bondholder bailout and opposed extra
austerity measures such as the home tax and campaigned against the
Austerity Treaty in the recent Referendum.' (Socialist Party Website)
By adding their voice to the "chorus" of politicians that have already stated that Wallace should stand down the Socialist Party would not significantly undermine the Wexford electorate any further - if at all.
Conversely, not making such a statement only serves to further highlight the Socialist Party and other ULA members as having some alliance with Mr. Wallace which prevents them from condemning his position outright. Of course any such alliance is non-existent as Mr. Wallace is not a member of the socialist party and has no affiliation with ULA other than his mutual support of the CAWHT.
As we have seen above, the Socialist Party's position on this matter has more to do with their perception of the media's agenda in this situation. Their assessment of the media's ulterior aims appears to distract them from the more pertinent issue at hand - that of accepting the continuance of a politician working in the Dáil whose position has been compromised by a serious injustice against the State.
Blaming the media's coverage of previous events and shrouded agendas is seen as petty in this instance . As long as the ULA's position regarding Wallace remains irresolute, it actually plays into the hands of anyone who would like to use Wallace as an instrument against the CAWHT or the ULA who have 'absolutely nothing to do with this in any sense whatsoever' (Joe Higgins).
Worst of all for the ULA is that they are now perceived by some to be just like all the rest. Fundamentally, public perception is what it boils down to. Ever critical of Labour's failings to stand up for its convictions, the ULA is in danger of being seen to do the same.
Ultimately, if the ULA feel they are acting on principle, the outcome of their hesitant actions regarding Mr. Wallace are the same to most people; that is, to some, their principles may just appear like excuses.
