Proper Politics

Pádraic Mac Coitir focuses on political fragmentation among radical groups working against the development of proper politics. Pádraic Mac Coitir has been apolitical activist from childhood. 

Is a political party the answer? If that party is truly revolutionary then possibly it could be. If it reverts to type and becomes part of the establishment then of course that kind of party is not worth anyone either supporting or joining.

Sinn Féin is the best example of how a once radical party which had some revolutionaries in its ranks can be sucked into a system it swore to bring down. It is now the complete opposite to what it claims to be. Once it abandoned the core issues during negotiations their once sworn enemies knew they had them and there was no going back.

Anyone who has read the article about phone calls Bill Clinton made to Adams will see how easily he was flattered and had his ego massaged. Of course the calls were carefully edited but now that we see where the leadership of SF is going it comes as no surprise.

Although SF does very well in elections in both the North and the Free State they are still in no position to bring about the end of British occupation and overthrow a corrupt system in the Free State. I'm not fixated with them but merely pointing out the dangers for others trying to emulate them. There are many out there committed to the goal of a Socialist Republic and it is indeed unfortunate there is little unity among the different groups/organisations.

I can understand the frustration with some but if we look at the state of society today I would argue now is the time for people to get together. We will always have our differences on certain issues but it's not good enough for us complain and whinge about the peelers, prisoners, injustice and all the things we have faced for generations. Other things that should concern us are the rise of food-banks, the many losing benefits, unemployment rising, poverty becoming more rife and all the effects this has on the working class. People don't necessarily have to join a political party to combat all of the above. If we sit and discuss the way forward we will bring others with us and even if it is as simple as setting up residents groups and giving power back to the people and away from those who purport to represent them it is a start.

All my adult life I have been involved in politics and have met many like-minded women and men and continue to meet many and we get frustrated and think we are banging our heads off a brick wall but those sentiments are natural. We only need read of how frustrated the great revolutionaries in our country and those involved in other countries got. So never mind those who we see and hear on the radio and TV so get out and get involved in proper politics!