If we want to fix the current (financial) mess we must pay ourselves less.
This, according to John Bruton, is the only way out of our current problems, he goes on: (my emphasis)
In essence, the cause of today’s debt problems is that developed countries awarded themselves a living standard they had not earned.
It will all mean postponing increases in living standards, paying more tax, and getting fewer benefits from the Government.
Does this mean that Bruton will be giving up or substantially reducing the following Government benefits?
The nearly quarter of a million he has drawn down under the (totally unjustified) Secretarial Assistants Scheme for former Taoisigh.
His TDs pension.
His Ministerial pension.
His Taoiseach’s pension.
Any EU (Government) benefit he’s in receipt of as a result of his stint as EU Ambassador to the US.
Any generous Government/EU payments or subsidies he may be receiving for his farm.
A reduction in his present salary as chairman of the IFSC.
Somehow I think Bruton will be holding on to all his ‘entitlements’.
The ‘we’ he is demanding major sacrifices from are, I suspect, ordinary citizens struggling to survive the financial disaster brought down upon them by ruthless, incompetent politicians like Bruton.