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Irish Electorate - Come On Down!!!
Read more about: Economy, Fianna Fail, Irish Election 2007, Progressive Democrats
Last week I compared the media’s coverage of the upcoming election to the TV game show “Deal Or No Deal”. Looking at Comrade Bertski’s “new” National Development Plan, it looks as though he’s more of a fan of “The Price Is Right”.
It’s an unbelievable exercise in political spin. A large chunk of the plan has been rolled out before; it has just been re-hashed, re-stamped and wrapped up in a nice little package with a pretty bow on top – that bow of course being the headline-grabbing figure of €184 billion.
You have to admit that’s quite a carrot to dangle out there in front of us, isn’t it? So why does the government’s own economic think-tank reckon the plan is ill-advised?
Well let’s see – have we anything to go on here? Surely in 9½ years of government there’s a bit of precedent? Well from what I can make out, their last big spending package resulted in several projects either not being properly finished or winding up grossly over budget.
And as for the actual spending itself, only around 75% of what was envisaged was actually spent, even with the over-runs.
So maybe this means we should only give the FF/PD love-in 75% of their last tally of votes?
It is becoming increasingly obvious that despite such pressing individual issues as health, education and housing, this election is going to come down to “It’s the economy, stupid” or put another way “I’m alright Jack, best go with what we know.”
If that’s the case, we deserve everything we get.
I wonder about the latter point JL though I have to agree that the NDP was like re-wrapping your christmas presents for your birthday.
There may well be a jaded cynicism toward the NDP borne of the last one’s under performance. I still think that many people will try to vote on health and education, especially in meath, kildare, dublin and the cities and areas with regional hospitals. This election may have a little bit more volatility in it than we expect.
also parties may well begin to formulate their alternative visions a bit better.
I have no doubt that whoever does cast their vote in May will be motivated by actual policies. It’s just that I have a niggling worry that the “I’m Alright Jack” brigade to which I refer won’t vote at all, and thus will hand a distinct advantage to the current government.
thats a good point and i think this government would settle for buying apathy if the cant buy votes.