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On water charges and decisions printable version
16 Apr 2014 filed by editor - Editorial Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore's comments on the recent media coverage of water charges shows an intransigence of thinking that reveals a cynical disregard for the true values of democracy.
Gilmore maintained that it was not helpful when issues being considered by the Government were aired in the media in advance of any Government decision.
A democratically elected government is not put into office to act on its own interests and agenda. It is elected into office to carry out the majority will of the people and to also take into consideration the views of any minorities.
In a correctly functioning democracy the electorate has an inalienable right to know what the acting government is proposing when those proposals fully and unavoidably impact on the electorate. It is not for any elected government to conduct business in private or in secret where such business impacts on the population. That is not democratic governance but dictatorship.
Health services, national infrastructure costs, the provision of water services—plus of host of other services are part of the reasons why people pay income taxes. Income tax is not a tax on the basic ability to earn an income—it is the method of covering the cost of the provision by Government of basic living requirements within society. There has however been no move to offset water charges by an equivalent reduction in income taxes.
Tags: water charges Eamon Gilmore
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