Grassroots is watching the political temperature rise in the past few months. And no it is not about the local elections, its about the impotent rage that many people feel at their lives and the lives of those close to them being turned upside down.
All the old certainties of continuous growth and the culture of entitlement are disappearing fast.
Somebody is going to be blamed for it. Here the unemployment figures show that things are getting worse but at a slower rate. 80,000 have lost their jobs so far this year. The figure will be boosted when students leave school in June and sign on along with a considerable number of their teachers. What a fall it is for everyone concerned. Things are getting desperate when good people see little future in Ireland. How quickly things have changed when one considers that as recently as 2006 we had 72,000 emigrants into Ireland. Now it is expected that over 50,000 people will emigrate from Ireland in search of work and a new life in 2009. This is the first year since 1995 that emigration for work happened in Ireland.
Now we are seeing a surge in one way bookings to Australia and New Zealand and the GAA is thriving in London. Canada is holding up well and wants at least 250,000 emigrants this year. This one is Grassroots favoured destination for our younger people. It may be cold in Canada, but it is a cool country with an economy that works. Good luck to those of you going, and don’t forget where you came from.
Whatever about the bitter tears of forced emigration there are many reasons to have a quiet pride in our city and county. Grassroots thinks that the Kilkenny 400 Celebrations have a lot going for them, the boost to tourism here, could save jobs at least for 2009. They will also boost the morale of our own citizens. We need a little diversion to remind ourselves that it is okay to go out and smile and have little fun.
Don’t forget the Aintree Grand National, where the favourites often fall, sometimes with big money on them. Grassroots each way tip is Southern Vic.
Speaking of favourites just how much can a candidate spend on a local election in Kilkenny ? Sean O’hArgain and Sean Butler seem to be running off in a Labour party primary. The huge billboard at Loughboy on the Waterford road cannot be for free. This seems to be a run-off for the Labour Dail nomination, rather than a council election, for these two former reds. The only reds will be in their bank accounts if they are not careful. At the rate these two are spending, they will exceed the McGuinness publicity machine. How Deputy McGuinness stayed within limits at the last General Election is nothing short of a miracle. The rest of it is being reduced to a sideshow.
In summary the local elections could prove a damp squib as the voters stay away. Some councillors would love that as it would result in no challenge to the FF- Green coalition. While canvassing will take place, most voters will make up their own minds. As yet the voters have held back, but this won’t last.
As regards miracles next week Grassroots wishes Brian Lenihan the best of luck.
It might be that the elderly in Kilkenny attending the Euro concert in the Watergate theatre have the right idea. They will be singing along to old favourites and attending a variety matinee show instead of torturing themselves listening to the budget speeches.
I hope they have bought their tickets at the box office. It would seem that Johnny Barry might be a much better bet than the life of Brian. At least Johnny Barry gets it right and knows what people want and need.
We could all learn a lot from him and many of our elderly.
