When put under the smallest degree of scrutiny their acts of charity coupled with the implementation of Russian sanctions can only be interpreted as virtue signalling, done entirely to appease their EU masters in Brussels.
Firstly let me be clear, this is not a critique on the Ukrainian cause for it is not a 'black and white' issue. Nor is this a critique on the refugees thereof or on the practice of immigration. Rather this is a critique on the carelessness and thoughtlessness of the Irish Free State government and it's approach to such matters along with the potential for negative and long-term consequences.
It is obviously ethical and admirable to help and assist refugees during a time of war; yet when considering the bigger picture and the mood of the Irish working class, such overtly grand gestures can only be viewed as hypocritical to the extreme. In addition, the consequences of EU-led sanctions against Russia are potentially disastrous for the Irish working class and the economic stability of Ireland.
Herein I shall argue that such manoeuvres on behalf of the Irish Free State are in fact non-benevolent and done solely to appease their masters in Brussels and the globalist elites. This is illustrative of how genuine left wing politics has been hijacked to such an extent that the primary objective is to appease elitists and globalists and engage in watery identity politics. Indeed, the majority of leftists fail to realise that the established right (and the capitalists and elites thereof) tend to be strong proponents of an open immigration policy, and not because of some moral stance, but precisely because it drives down the cost of labour to create more opportunities for profit and industrial growth, thereby strengthening the elitist position while lowering the standard of living for the working class. Furthermore, there is strong evidence to suggest that a primary concern of James Connolly was the 'dilution of labour' and the lowering of wages in the Irish job market arising from an influx of refugees from the First World War.
To continue, by all means let us help Ukrainian refugees, or any refugee for that matter, but let us do so in a mindful and sensible manner so as to create an atmosphere of acceptance and unity. It should not be done in a way that demonises and isolates Russian immigrants already here in Ireland, nor to neglect and put the needs of the Irish working class last. For what sort of gesture is that? You can’t rob Peter to pay Paul! More significantly, the Irish Free State fails to comprehend that their very actions may create an environment ripe for racism and reactionary far right rhetoric that is most unhelpful.
I realise that at this stage I may sound like a man without a heart, but I hope to persuade the reader that this is far from the case. For if you bother to get off your high horse and listen to the views of ordinary people in rural Ireland you will soon understand that people are beginning to question the government's response to the situation, and perhaps rightly so. There is without question a sea-change in public opinion. Most concerning of all is the growing undercurrent of resentment and ill feeling towards our Ukrainian neighbours that could easily be curtailed if the Irish government acted appropriately and understood the dialectic they have hurled upon the masses.
The negative ramifications are two-fold: one is economic and the other is social. On the economic front the Free State government has decided to pay hoteliers in rural towns substantial amounts of money to house the Ukrainian refugees; for make no mistake the hoteliers (being men of profit) surely aren’t doing this in the name of charity! Consequently, there has been a sharp decline in revenue in the local tourist industry (bars, restaurants etc.) Ordinarily this would not be a major issue, but when considering the current rate of inflation and cost of living crisis it is altogether a different matter for local business and local people.
Indeed, such is the nature of macro-economics and the ramifications thereof in the geo-political sphere, that there can be no doubt that the current cost of living crisis is inextricably linked to the current situation in Ukraine. Furthermore, the EU-led sanctions imposed against Russia, namely banning the importation of oil and petroleum products can only have disastrous consequences for the Irish people and working class; talk about cutting one's nose off to spite their own face!
Consequently, my main concern is the impact this is having on the Irish working class and their ability to put food on the table - and the shear hesitancy of the Irish Free State government to acknowledge the severity of the issue or to do anything meaningful about it. Yes they will try to appease the situation by providing additional social welfare schemes (under various acronyms), but the reality is such measures are mere crumbs in the grand scheme of things, not to mention the additional hoops to jump through and forms to fill out. So, it appears we are expected to just take it on the proverbial chin and say, ‘ah sure look be grand so.’
Yet, the truth is working class families simply have no economic recourse and are being slowly drained of all resources and savings. To put things into perspective, they have to pay for their children’s school books, pay to get bins emptied, pay 50 euro for a phone call from a GP, pay 50 euro for a GP appointment along with additional costs for medication etc. etc. etc. And disabled or not, medical cards are handed out like Hens teeth! Worse still, all of this amidst severe price hikes in food, petrol, rent and heating oil.
Upon arriving in Ireland Ukrainian refugees will receive: a lump sum payment, a PPS number, Irish driving licence, a medical card, and ‘bump the queue’ to become first priority on social housing waiting lists. In addition the Ukrainian language is now being taught in many Irish schools. For God forbid if the Irish language should come first, or that immigrants be forced to integrate culturally in any way shape or form. Such measures go over and beyond what is necessary and are nothing more than an insult to Irish working class people and families, many of whom are already struggling with poverty and in desperate need of work, job security and opportunities. Naturally, the end result of all this is an atmosphere of growing resentment and racism to our Ukrainian neighbours.
Critics of the points made out in this essay will no doubt argue that the Irish working class are not living in a war torn land surrounded by bombs and destruction, and therefore said argument is built on a foundation of sand. Yet I would put it to such critics that the Irish government still has an onus to care for its most vulnerable citizens; and that poverty is poverty, hunger is hunger and homelessness is homelessness whether it occur in wartime or not.
To conclude, the Irish government should open the borders to Ukrainian refugees, but it must do so in a sensible way to ensure that there is parity in the support provided. In this way, support provided to Ukrainian refugees should be on par with social support provided to Irish families or any other immigrant and foreign national. In addition, EU-led sanctions imposed against Russia should be challenged and brought to an end, because such sanctions also serve to harm and impoverish Irish citizens.
Firstly let me be clear, this is not a critique on the Ukrainian cause for it is not a 'black and white' issue. Nor is this a critique on the refugees thereof or on the practice of immigration. Rather this is a critique on the carelessness and thoughtlessness of the Irish Free State government and it's approach to such matters along with the potential for negative and long-term consequences.
It is obviously ethical and admirable to help and assist refugees during a time of war; yet when considering the bigger picture and the mood of the Irish working class, such overtly grand gestures can only be viewed as hypocritical to the extreme. In addition, the consequences of EU-led sanctions against Russia are potentially disastrous for the Irish working class and the economic stability of Ireland.
Herein I shall argue that such manoeuvres on behalf of the Irish Free State are in fact non-benevolent and done solely to appease their masters in Brussels and the globalist elites. This is illustrative of how genuine left wing politics has been hijacked to such an extent that the primary objective is to appease elitists and globalists and engage in watery identity politics. Indeed, the majority of leftists fail to realise that the established right (and the capitalists and elites thereof) tend to be strong proponents of an open immigration policy, and not because of some moral stance, but precisely because it drives down the cost of labour to create more opportunities for profit and industrial growth, thereby strengthening the elitist position while lowering the standard of living for the working class. Furthermore, there is strong evidence to suggest that a primary concern of James Connolly was the 'dilution of labour' and the lowering of wages in the Irish job market arising from an influx of refugees from the First World War.
To continue, by all means let us help Ukrainian refugees, or any refugee for that matter, but let us do so in a mindful and sensible manner so as to create an atmosphere of acceptance and unity. It should not be done in a way that demonises and isolates Russian immigrants already here in Ireland, nor to neglect and put the needs of the Irish working class last. For what sort of gesture is that? You can’t rob Peter to pay Paul! More significantly, the Irish Free State fails to comprehend that their very actions may create an environment ripe for racism and reactionary far right rhetoric that is most unhelpful.
I realise that at this stage I may sound like a man without a heart, but I hope to persuade the reader that this is far from the case. For if you bother to get off your high horse and listen to the views of ordinary people in rural Ireland you will soon understand that people are beginning to question the government's response to the situation, and perhaps rightly so. There is without question a sea-change in public opinion. Most concerning of all is the growing undercurrent of resentment and ill feeling towards our Ukrainian neighbours that could easily be curtailed if the Irish government acted appropriately and understood the dialectic they have hurled upon the masses.
The negative ramifications are two-fold: one is economic and the other is social. On the economic front the Free State government has decided to pay hoteliers in rural towns substantial amounts of money to house the Ukrainian refugees; for make no mistake the hoteliers (being men of profit) surely aren’t doing this in the name of charity! Consequently, there has been a sharp decline in revenue in the local tourist industry (bars, restaurants etc.) Ordinarily this would not be a major issue, but when considering the current rate of inflation and cost of living crisis it is altogether a different matter for local business and local people.
Indeed, such is the nature of macro-economics and the ramifications thereof in the geo-political sphere, that there can be no doubt that the current cost of living crisis is inextricably linked to the current situation in Ukraine. Furthermore, the EU-led sanctions imposed against Russia, namely banning the importation of oil and petroleum products can only have disastrous consequences for the Irish people and working class; talk about cutting one's nose off to spite their own face!
Consequently, my main concern is the impact this is having on the Irish working class and their ability to put food on the table - and the shear hesitancy of the Irish Free State government to acknowledge the severity of the issue or to do anything meaningful about it. Yes they will try to appease the situation by providing additional social welfare schemes (under various acronyms), but the reality is such measures are mere crumbs in the grand scheme of things, not to mention the additional hoops to jump through and forms to fill out. So, it appears we are expected to just take it on the proverbial chin and say, ‘ah sure look be grand so.’
Yet, the truth is working class families simply have no economic recourse and are being slowly drained of all resources and savings. To put things into perspective, they have to pay for their children’s school books, pay to get bins emptied, pay 50 euro for a phone call from a GP, pay 50 euro for a GP appointment along with additional costs for medication etc. etc. etc. And disabled or not, medical cards are handed out like Hens teeth! Worse still, all of this amidst severe price hikes in food, petrol, rent and heating oil.
Upon arriving in Ireland Ukrainian refugees will receive: a lump sum payment, a PPS number, Irish driving licence, a medical card, and ‘bump the queue’ to become first priority on social housing waiting lists. In addition the Ukrainian language is now being taught in many Irish schools. For God forbid if the Irish language should come first, or that immigrants be forced to integrate culturally in any way shape or form. Such measures go over and beyond what is necessary and are nothing more than an insult to Irish working class people and families, many of whom are already struggling with poverty and in desperate need of work, job security and opportunities. Naturally, the end result of all this is an atmosphere of growing resentment and racism to our Ukrainian neighbours.
Critics of the points made out in this essay will no doubt argue that the Irish working class are not living in a war torn land surrounded by bombs and destruction, and therefore said argument is built on a foundation of sand. Yet I would put it to such critics that the Irish government still has an onus to care for its most vulnerable citizens; and that poverty is poverty, hunger is hunger and homelessness is homelessness whether it occur in wartime or not.
To conclude, the Irish government should open the borders to Ukrainian refugees, but it must do so in a sensible way to ensure that there is parity in the support provided. In this way, support provided to Ukrainian refugees should be on par with social support provided to Irish families or any other immigrant and foreign national. In addition, EU-led sanctions imposed against Russia should be challenged and brought to an end, because such sanctions also serve to harm and impoverish Irish citizens.
Corrective measures such as these will help to slow the growing resentment, racism and anti-immigrant feeling that is beginning to fester here in Ireland - and therefore help to block the growing agenda of far right elements intent on exploiting such disparities for their own nefarious ends.
⏩ Gowain McKenna is a writer, structural engineer (marine), musician, political theorist (and sometimes poet). His political compass is far-left moderate libertarian and identifies himself as an Irish Republican first and foremost and Connolly socialist second. He runs a blog The Road To No Town and he has three degrees in the field of aerospace engineering: - M.Phil M.Sc B.Eng (Hons)
I could not agree more, Gowain, the programme has not been thought out at all. It has not been costed, the HSE is still seriously understaffed and, as you point out, resentment, alas for all the wrong reasons, is already creeping in. I have noticed and heard racist comments and "blame refugees" street politics already been aimed at "Ukrainians getting priority" for goods and services (though this term is a little technical for those voicing such statements) and , again alas, is growing. Still only murmours but increasingly loud ones. What will happen if hospitals begin, on government instructions, to neglect Irish patients in favour of refugees? Like yourself refugees, all refugees, are welcome and must be helped but for fucks sake think it out, cost it, recruit staff, and stop giving the new cultures, interesting as they are, priority over Irish. It is like inviting a hungry child to tea and sitting them down to an empty table. Or, neglecting your own already struggling family in favour of the new comers.
ReplyDeleteI'd go a stage further and say it is to grovell to the EU and Washington, to say nothing of London.
Caoimhin O'Muraile
A great analogy about inviting a hungry child to the table where there is nothing to eat. The task of the Left is not to blame the child but to highlight that while there is plenty to eat it does not reach the table because for some it is not profitable that it should. As Mick Lynch commented recently - there is no shortage of money: it is just in the wrong hands.
DeleteThats right, Anthony, there is plenty of money. A redistribution of wealth which can only be brought about through the common ownership of the means of production is neccesary. There is no doubt, for example, the Collinson brothers have brilliant minds, no question about it, but the wealth created, not only by their scientific genius, but by the technitians, inventors and operators who put these brilliant developments into practice. The brilliant minds are only one, albeit important, piece of the overall jigsaw. When national income stats, under capitalist economics, are compiled they tend to be based on the "rent, wages, profits" formula with great emphasis on profits. None of these profits will go towards provisions of goods and services to accomodate refugees from war torn countries, in this case Ukraine, though should include other places of turmoil such as Yemen, Palestine etc.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe people, all people, living in foreign lands, irrespective of the reasons, should try and learn the language and culture while, at the same time not neglecting their own. This does not mean they must be successful, but at least try. My view is, ideally, this planet is made for all of us to live, work and contribute in any land of choice. While in different land, and this includes unfortunate refugees, an effort should be made to learn the native tounge and culture, while, at the same time, offering their own culture and language to the host population. A grat example, dating back to the fifties (I think) and despite fascist oppossition would be the Nottinghill Carnival in London. It is great to see Saint Patricks parades being very inclusive of other cultures, without negating Irish traditions.
Caoimhin O'Muraile
To say the unsayable and to think the unthinkable used to be a leftist trait, but alas we are now at the mercy of Coca Cola and Goldman Sachz and LGBT rights. Everyone is confused and afraid to speak their mind due to culture wars -
ReplyDeleteGod save me from this shite and pass me another beer. If in Killybegs be sure to seek me out. G
that's a very different Left from the one I am familiar with. There was always a culture of censoriousness on the Left. It is the nature of authoritarianism. What seems worse today is that the liberal left which has traditionally defended free speech is all too often on the side of cancel culture, no platforming, safe censorious space and woke suffocation of discussion. Nor is it reducible to the LGBT issue. It is much wider than LGBT which itself has had to struggle against not being permitted to say the unsayable.
DeleteWhat I was trying to say was the amalgamation of identity issues into politics is a mistake and a distraction. Let’s face it everyone is oppressed these days on some level, and I’d rather everyone just banded together and had a parade about workers rights, poverty and the erosion of our freedoms etc. (bread and butter issues) as opposed to things like ‘black lives matter’ or ‘lgbt’ rights etc. Now, of course black lives do matter, and the lgbt community do have rights; for these are things that cannot be denied by any decent human being. So I don’t see the point in ramming it downs people throats 24-7 while people are homeless, unemployed and struggling and being continually shafted by the system (financially and spiritually). Identity politics, cancel culture etc. just has to stop. It’s totally non-sensical and a by product of a collective narcissism which is epidemic these days; it seems to seep into everything and then everyone just let’s the bastards off the hook. It’s cool to be Ukrainian but it’s not to be Russian etc. etc. so everything has lost its meaning.
ReplyDeletePolitics incorporates identity politics much as it does everything else. How people identify or are denied the ability to identify is crucial. That can be seen in Ukraine today where Ukrainians are being told they are just Russian. Lobby groups have always formed and are not specific to identity politics although they have moved into that space more recently. People identify as women, men, trans, black, Muslim, Catholic whatever. In a democratic pluralist culture people get to prioritise what concerns them and are not told what their priorities should be by authoritarian ideologues or statists.
ReplyDeleteThat is a valid point and I can’t disagree with it. However, my core belief is one of mutual tolerance and acceptance, so people are free to identify however they wish, and free to live their lives however they see fit. So, in my world view there is no need to make a song and dance about your religion, race or sexuality etc. as that is a personal issue and I expect society to be tolerant and accepting of everyone.
ReplyDeleteSo, to me politics can only really be effective when the masses meet on common ground regarding issues that impact everyone (housing, education, labour, health care etc.); and as far as I can see identity politics can only ever be divisive.
I subscribe to your mutual tolerance perspective but just as Khrushchev banged his shoe at the UN in order to be heard when he felt he was being ignored, people are going to make a song and dance about their concerns. The problem starts when they pump up the volume in order to drown out dissent from their own position - we see this with the labelling of people as TEWRFs, no platforming and cancelling because they do not buy into an uncomplicated Trans view.
DeleteAll politics is divisively - conflict is the essence of politics. It is a naïve Marxist notion that conflict and thus politics will disappear and wither away with the state in the Nirvana of socialism. In that sense Marxist ideology too closely resembles religious ideology for my liking.