We are poorer because we are richer
When asked to justify the poor state of the schools and roads in North Kildare on RTE’s Prime Time last night Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of Defence Willie O’Dea said that no, it wasn’t as a result of government mis-management and lack of planning but rather that it was the inevitable result of our huge prosperity in recent years.
So the next time that you’re sitting for two hours in the morning traffic having dropped your child off at the sports hall that has been converted into a temporary classroom, spare a thought for the poor members of our government as their meticulous plans for the future development of the country are swept away under an avalanche of tax receipts. You really only have yourself to blame for the situation. You’re working too hard.
Later on in the same interview we got a glimpse into the level of quality on offer from the government as it attempts to hold the country together despite the onslaught of its citizenry who just don’t seem to know when to take a break. When asked why should the people of North Kildare vote for a government party member rather than a member of the opposition or an independent, Willie replied that the people of Kildare need to make up their mind whether their interests are better served by someone inside the government circle lobbying on their behalf or by someone outside with no connection to those who hold the reins of power.
So there you have it. Rather than any cohesive and coherent vision or plan for the development of the country, we have a policy of divvying up the hard won prosperity to those who stamp their feet, throw a tantrum and shout the loudest.
As I said, we only have ourselves to blame.
Mark Waters marked time at 9:08 am on March 4th, 2005 .
I know this isn’t a new idea, but…isn’t it vexing that Irish people can seem to be among the great logisticians, planners, engineers and builders of society - so long as they’re off this island?