Last reasons to vote no

One of the greatest reasons for defeating Lisbon Mark 2 is that it might, just might, remind our political rulers that we still live in a democracy. That literary fable Bunnreacht na hEirinn – the constitution – makes the people sovereign in our state. So how is it that the wishes of the people of Ireland carry so little weight anymore? The present government seems to be the hostages of a small, unrepresentative clique of far right-wing economists and Department of Finance mandarins who want to use the excuse of the economic crisis to push through socially regressive policies. A yes vote would convince the politico-bureaucratic elite that it could successfully hoodwink the people and continue to feed voraciously at the public trough.

I can hear some of those on the yes side clamouring “What about Europe?” Well, exactly, “What about Europe?” This referendum, just like the one last year, had very little to do with Europe. The self-styled “pro European” politicians don’t giver a damn about Europe. They’ve only ever seen it as a source of wealth for themselves, their families and their friends, as well as a good location for official trips at which they can stuff themselves with Tournedos Rossini with spuds and drink themselves silly, while indulging in activities far from the prying eyes of their partners.

Lisbon Mk 2 is a fraud, a three-card confidence trick that has nothing to do with true European values. A vote against it is NOT a vote against Europe. Perhaps it is a vote against a false Europe based on greed and inequality. – a Europe with which I don’t want to have anything to do.

When I started writing I mentioned Beethoven. The Europe of Lisbon Mk 2, of Fianna Fail, their erstwhile blueshirt allies and the ”Comrade Cumfies” of the Irish Labour Party is a Europe which would still consign a genius like Beethoven to the social and economic sidelines, because he was deaf and because he wasn’t related to any politicians at European, national or local level.  Such a Europe does not deserve to suborn his setting of Schiller as its anthem. Rather it should use an old song of Hank Williams – Your cheatin’ heart.