This is supposed to be the merriest time of the year is it not? How come I’m not feeling the buzz?
There is a whole lot of doom and gloom out there at the moment which is only slightly masked by flashing lights, Christmas trees and shining baubles.
It seems that every silver lining has a cloud right now. Although there is at least twenty per cent off in all the shops at the moment - nobody can afford to buy anthing. What has gone wrong in the world - because this is certainly a global problem.
The US Federal Reserve has cut its interest rate to vitually zero. This has never happened before and it is indeed drastic action. Governments across the world are throwing life-lines to banks in an attempt to stave off the return to a Great Depression, but it is too late?
Brian Cowen has announced that he has a plan to save our economy. The “economic recovery plan’ is to be announced before Christmas and we can only wonder what kind of a magic-wand Brian Cowen is going to wave to make things better. And in case you were not already aware of it he believes ‘Ireland’s fiscal position is neither sensible or sustainable’.
Why really? You don’t say Brian!!! Thanks for the enlightenment. We’d never have guessed - it’s an awful pity you didn’t spot it a bit earlier yourself though - considering you’re the Taoiseach and the former Minister for Finance - no pressure now!
OK. I know sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but gosh, there is little wit left at the moment. I’m hoping that the Christmas break is going to give everyone that little lift that is needed to strive on and try and manage with what they have. There is little consolation for people who have lost their jobs or who are seeking work for a long time at this time of year. Emigration is now becoming a very real option for people once again. At first, we laughed at the thought of returning to the ways of the 80s but it seems that these ways may well be returning. Australia is becoming increasingly attractive to many as the UK and the US are in as bad a recession as we are. Down Under is becoming a very real and viable option particularly for people who have already spent time there and know what it is like.
I think we will now become more welcoming to our migrants who have come to live in Ireland as we are going to be doing the same again ourselves. It’s a true saying - what goes around, comes around.
But in a bid to lift our spirits a little this festive season, why not do something festive that doesn’t cost any money - well only the price of a small donation.
This Saturday the fire brigade and ambulance crew are carol-singing outside the town hall in Kilkenny for charity. This is always a lovely occasion when people get into the festive spirit and sing a little and give a little. There are always others who are less fortunate than we are, wherever we go. So let’s lift up our heads, turn off our radios and sing for charity! That should get us into the spirit of things!
