Blogging from the Bog

   Let the games begin!  Today Bertie Ahern announced the date for the upcoming Election.  In less than a month, Thursday the 24th of May, we will be asked to reward the present government for their vigilence in watching over us as the Celtic Tiger came rampaging through; or, charge the next government with guiding us through the Celtic Meltdown.

   Get your wellies ready, it will start getting thick and deep.

   It has been an unprecedented ten years of prosperity, no doubt about it, and would have happened with any party at the helm.  The question that begs answering is: Has the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrat government given us value for money when it comes to their guardianship and investment, for us, of this great and temporary wealth?

   Vast quantities of money have been lavished on many areas of particular concern to the electorate, health, education, infrastructure, the Spire, and  E-Voting machines, to name a few.  Has our money been spent wisely and invested properly for us?  Could a better job have been done with ten years and billions of euros at the disposal of the present crowd?  Is the health care system working properly?  Are you happy with the state of the schools?  Has infrastructural planning been led by developers or those vested by us to lead Ireland into the future?

   Now that public monies have been squandered with no real progress made, are we to reward the present government with our Number One?  How about we give them a five year holiday from politics instead?  The success of the economy is the only leg Bertie has to stand on in this election.  Will we forget all the mis-management and lack of leadership in this once-off prosperous time?  So much could have, no should have, been done for the safety, security, and stability of our future.

   Expose yourself to the views of Harry McGee and Skin Flicks for the craic.