They tell us that this is the worst crisis to hit Ireland possibly since the Famine.

‘Ireland is going down the toilet and we must all pull together,’ they say.

We must be patriotic and shop at home and forgo foreign holidays as things really are that bad.

I am beginning to believe them, just from the sheer scale of the cuts they have introduced.

Our health service has been very badly hit by cutbacks as has the education system.  Various sectors of society have been singled out for cuts.  People are being asked to take pay cuts just so that the country can survive.  Our youth and our elderly and infirm are taking the hardest hits.

The other night I was amused to hear a joke that some of our TDs are getting pay rises.

Yesterday I learned that it isn’t a joke.

Those incompetent corrupt scheming bastards are getting a pay rise when they are screaming at the rest of us to take cuts?

What fucking planet are they on?

Twenty six of or nation’s finest are being given an extra €3,000 per year.  Twelve more are to receive €2,200.

I also hear that our illustrious Minister for Tourism Martin Cullen is flying to the States for Paddy’s Day.  He is flying Executive rather than economy because he would otherwise find the flight uncomfortable due to his long legs.  Another €3,000. 

This is apparently a time of crisis.  All hands to the pumps time.  But these wankers are shutting up shop for three weeks so they can enjoy their Paddy’s Day.

I know the amounts involved are not big.  What is a few thousand when the problem runs to billions?  But that is not the point.

The point is in the principle.

They are asking us to take the pain.  They are asking us to pay more and earn less, and they should lead by example.  There should be no exceptions for them unless they are prepared to make exceptions for us, which they aren’t.

Morally, they are indefensible.

How much longer are we going to put up with this crap?