Blogging from the Bog

   The coming of the new year brings with it a fresh sense of optimism.  Despite many disappointments with the government’s past bungling, bolloxing, and banjaxing of the Budget and public funding, we look with fresh eyes and new hopes that this year things will be different.

   Between the Budget and the National Development Plan there are billions and billions that are supposed to be spread around the various departments in order to make Ireland a wonderful, progressive and safe place to inhabit.

   Public housing, transportation, health, and education are only a few of the areas earmarked for big influxes of cash according to the plan as outlined by Minister of Finance Brian Cowen.  These areas of course have been heavily financed year in and year out for the past decade under this government and were scandalised by mis-management, mayhem and misery.  We can only grimace and say, "But not this year!" 

   In the past huge money was spent on the Millenium Spire, e-voting machines, and the health care system.  There were massive budgetary over-runs on the Port Tunnel, the LUAS, and the M50 motorway money pit.  The re-location of government employees to regions outside of the pale was a non-runner even after throwing millions into it.  Most of these financial fiascos were directed at pandering to areas inside the Pale.  Remember the Bertie Bowl?, the new Bertie Jet? all vainglorious myopia.

   Outside of the Pale we get Lismullen, Shannon Airport, Waterford, and Cork.  The schools, roads, and hospitals beyond the Dublin area look very similar to the way they did a decade ago, and most of the development taking place is driven and financed by the private sector.

   It doesn’t mention in the Budget or the Plan about the mega wage increases scheduled for the Dail members, or the monies that will fund their advisors, spin-doctors, make-up people, public relations firms, pollsters, and other assorted "handlers".  The vanity of our politicians beggars belief, Bertie will get his jet, "But not this year!"

 "All is Vanity"