Head over to our T
In defence of James Reilly
Read more about: Health 
Fianna Fail have in their defence against James Reilly Fine Gael’s spokesman on health attacks on the medical card for pensioners debacle. Have mentioned that James Reilly was head of the IMO when Fianna Fail negotiated the deal with them which was very generous (Or so Fianna Fail say). This seems to be trying to discredit James Reilly by making himself out to be a greedy doctor. Now this might be true but it is hardly relevant. As head of the IMO his duty was to get the best deal for his members. If he did not it would show a large disregard for his responsibilities and would say more about his inability to be a minister in waiting then being a greedy doctor. Fianna Fail signed up for the deal in the end, they decided what he offered was good enough to accept. So really it is not relevant at all to this discussion.
With all due respect to Dr. James Reilly all that the current controversy shows about him is that he has for long been part of the establishment nosing around in the trough with the best of them.
The difficulty with our elites, medical, political, media or social is that they only seem to exist any more purely for the purpose of preserving their own narrow self interests. In that respect, Reilly is not different to any of the rest. It’s a pity because in tough times we need our elites in the best sense of that word; we need their expertise, their accumulated experience, their sound judgement to find the best way forward for our society.
In the Dail, all Dr. Reilly seems to be able to do is roar and shout, usually along the lines of ‘off with their heads’. Mind you he’s not on his own in this collective display of stupidity and cupidity. In the current circumstances that kind of politics is no longer sustainable, nor should it be acceptable.
On this whole issue of the over 70s and their medical cards, maybe it’s time people went off and had a long cold shower to clear their heads and then started using the frontal parts of their brain rather than our reptilian inheritance.
Just a thought!
Not to defend FF but I think if Labour’s spokesman on a given subject at a time of a pay round was a former union boss I think that would be just as fair game.
I think the anti-intellectualism of this country is appalling. I mean, they’re essentially attacking the opposition health spokesperson for having worked in health. Yes he is rich, his sons have a private school education, they are part of a so-called ‘elite’. But isn’t that better than the mediocrity of a political elite who rise to where they are, not because of intelligence or hard work, but because, as with our Taoiseach, their father was a TD before them, or because they happen to be in with who they need to be in with.
Politicians are the only elite that needs to be dealt with in this country. Barristers, doctors, pharmacists and businesspeople in general are hard working and intelligent individuals who rise to the top through their own efforts. This is clearly not the case in the Fianna Fail establishment. No matter how they paint themselves as the party of the people, the fact remains they are the most pampered, overpaid, corrupt and lazy faction there is remaining in this country today. They need to stop blaming doctors, pharmacists, barristers, teachers, public servants, private businesspeople, the old, the young, the sick and everybody else in this country for being greedy and spoiled.
LOOK IN THE MIRROR FIANNA FAIL