We all have our bad times, most of us get through them, and yes. things do get better. But, in an advanced society such as ours, things should not be left to chance.

For most of us the last 12 years or so have been one long series of income restraint, austerity and cut backs in support services. We were told it’s important that we go through this process in order that we could have as much control over our own lives as possible and that we should not expect and rely on State handouts. Life should be what we make it.

In an ideal world, where all folk are born equal and have equal opportunities, this would be fine. But, we don’t live in an ideal world. We are not all born equal, and we certainly don’t all have the same opportunities throughout our lives.

Those lucky enough to be born into privilege have the wealth at hand to ensure they can take the opportunities available to them, and expect their rightful place of privilege in society.

The COVID Pandemic should have taught us some valuable lessons. We suddenly found that we all rely on each other in some way. We can’t all be in the so called top jobs, but without each other life is so much more difficult.

During the Pandemic we rediscovered the dignity of of work. Here we are coming now coming towards the end of 2022 and three really tough years for us all. Things are getting back to normal. And folk who helped get us through the bad times, folk who we were happy to go out each Thursday at 8pm and clap for, are now being demonised by the establishment added and abetted by the popular press. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

All those currently involved in strike action have abided by the rules, have played their part and taken it on the chin for the common good. But they have been taken for granted and now that things are getting back to normal they should know their place. They should accept that life is unfair and accept what in real terms are further cuts to their incomes. On top of that they need to realise they need to do more for less whilst their bosses and others like them, take the spoils they, through privilege, feel they are entitled to. What happened to the spirit of cooperation, the dignity of work?

We are aware that we can’t all be equal, but we should care enough to ensure that the playing fields of life should be as level as possible. That, when inevitably we hit a tough patch in our lives, the State is there to catch us and put us back on track. It’s not too much to ask for is it? A fair chance at life?

We recognise, or at least we should, that this will come at a cost, and we do understand that we should all be contributing in a proportional way our fair share of that cost. Those in the top 5% who own 95% of the wealth should not be expecting the privilege of Tax Breaks and Tax Havens whilst the rest of us take on an increasing burden of Tax for their benefit.

Looking forward to 2023 and beyond, we will all have our choices to make. Let’s make sure you make the right choices, because doing the same means things stay the same. So going forward let’s do something different for a change