By Anthony Sheridan
Here are some quotes I’ve taken from Wikipedia’s description of the George Orwell dystopian novel ‘1984′.
An environment of omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation. A government invented language that replaces English. A system enforced by a privileged, elite Inner Party that persecutes individualism and independent thinking.
The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake. It is not interested in the good of others; it is interested solely in power.
It is in no way an exaggeration to say that the above description is fast becoming a reality in Ireland today.
A corrupt political elite made up of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour masquerading as democratic politicians as they manipulate power for their own benefit while attacking those who would challenge their privileged position.
We only have to observe the ruthless and often illegal tactics employed by the State during the water war. The manipulation of information by the Government’s Strategic Communications Unit and the unlimited funds available to elite schools while the schools of the poor fall into disrepair, to see just how close ‘1984’ resembles the Ireland of 2018.
Those who may consider this a bit over the top might consider the following headline:
Bin lorry cameras are on hunt for thousands of homeowners who break rubbish rules
Here we have private companies monitoring and imposing punishment on citizens who fail to obey instructions. Initially, the Government information machine attempted to persuade citizens that these instructions, to separate refuse into different categories, was for the benefit of the environment.
To a degree this is true but it is also true that encouraging people to separate refuse saves the collection companies an absolute fortune in having to do it themselves.
But now the days of encouraging are over, now the Government has handed over power to private companies to monitor and punish citizens who fail to do as instructed. Education (of the masses) is also a priority for the companies as this comment makes clear:
Clearly a huge challenge lies ahead and education is needed.
The state tyranny described in Orwell’s ‘1984‘ is controlled by a mysterious leader known as Big Brother. All citizens are required to give unquestioning loyalty and respect to the great leader.
Winston Smith, the rebel who challenges state power in the story, is eventually defeated and brainwashed into a feeling of intense love for Big Brother.
The Irish ‘Winston Smith’ is none other than former rebel Bono who recently sent messages of intense love to his hero Varadkar.
Dear Leo, I am utterly proud to call you my Taoiseach. I look forward to lots of plotting and planning. Yours with respect, Bono.
