The Christmas guilt sweeps the nation

There are plenty of social problems which shame us as a country. We are a very divided and unbalanced society in so many ways, and for so many reasons. And I feel more guilt about the state of the nation as we approach this Christmas more than before. Why guilt? Well I have been out shopping for presents and clothes. I have been to a load of Christmas parties or catching up with friends for a festive drink. And all the time I cannot help but feel I shouldn’t, as I think of the unfortunate families that are stuffed into hotel rooms because they don’t have homes of their own. Just picture it for a moment, especially if you are a parent. It’s depressing isn’t it?

But what really annoys me is how the “homeless crisis” has been turned into such a political football. The misfortune of others is being used as a hashtag to have a go. In fact, any perceived wronging of anybody in this country is being shamelessly grabbed by political opportunists to try and promote their own anti-establishment ideology. They tweet about people they don’t know in the most blatantly patronising fashion.

I’d say many of these individuals give not one whit about the homeless, or people forced to wait long hours in accident and emergency, or mothers campaigning for extra support for their sick children. But if the misfortune of others can be used to give the political establishment a good kicking, then they are fair game.

Yes, the Government and various municipal authorities are ultimately responsible for the shambles we have in our health and housing systems, and I wish to God they would just get on with fixing them quickly. Whatever about resources and money, I am sure ridiculous red tape and bureaucracy is playing its insidious role. You wonder will we ever reach a utopian situation in these areas.

And so, of course, we must keep the government of the day accountable in finding real solutions. My point is that there are hurlers on the ditch with no realistic solutions of their own, but are happy pinpointing the problems just to create a racket and promote their own ultra-left ideologies – which if ever realised would probably bankrupt the country altogether. That is not to say that there aren’t heartless ultra-right wingers who would make you believe the homeless have only themselves to blame in the online ping pong on this scandal.

I sincerely hope the 3,000 children living in hotels will have some semblance of a normal Christmas, including a visit from Santa. That is what gets me as a fellow Irish citizen. They are the pure innocents in this entire mess. And they deserve our thoughts and support (through contributing to the St Vincent de Paul and other seasonal appeals), rather than being shamelessly used by politicians and their online cheerleaders to spout angry propaganda from both extremes of the political spectrum. CL

Brexit troubles continue

As the Brexit circus continues to baffle and surprise day by day, its obvious there just has to be a second referendum. It would be only common sense to agree a final exit package, be it hard or soft, and then put it to the British people in its finality. At least the people could consider real figures and proposals, rather than the outrageous Farage-spun fiction and hyperbole which preceded the initial referendum.