W2E-009 Regional editorials-2.txt
Time to Think of the Electorate

Over the past week John Bruton's star seems to have taken on a new brightness in the political firmament. Up to a few weeks ago many were writing him, and his party, off for anything better than the opposition benches. Now all that has changed. The in-words of accountability and transparency have been joined by the new brand of truth launched by Ray Burke last week - "unvarnished". Mr. Burke wants a visible and immediate presence of the new product.

We don't know just yet where the compass will stop or how much left of centre the new coalition will be. John Bruton will need to be a firm negotiator and Taoiseach if he is to build into the formula the required measure of control of the economy, at a time when public spending is three times more than the rate of inflation. The Labour Party, during all the huffs and the kiss-and-make-up sagas reached highs and lows in its stance on the "high moral ground". It was left to Geraldine Kennedy of the "Irish Times" to come up with a very crucial and well written story which seemed to put the final nail in the coffin of the Fianna Fail/Labour alliance. Indeed some women came into their own in a very responsible way and the Leader of the Progressive Democrats, Mary Harney, was the star of the nation during some of the earlier contributions in Leinster House. In all coalitions compromise is the name of the game in policies and in the selection of the Cabinet. Misfits in essential key portfolios would be our downfall.

As we write the show is still very much in rehearsal, and the controversies as to who said what and when, continue. We have had our share of entertainment over the past fortnight. Now comes the real business of running the country. There is no room for farce, comedy, stage-Irishism, buffoonery or ineptitude. The electorate should have been given the opportunity to make the choice, but since that has not happened we can only hope and pray that what comes out of the bag will serve us well over the next few years.

A Minimal Sacrifice

The St. Vincent de Paul Society have launched their annual appeal and all indications are that the demands are ever growing to help meet the needs of the poor and underprivileged.

Those of us who indulge in excesses of food and drink and cosset ourselves with some of the luxuries of life, could easily make a gesture which could be significant for many families in need. If we decide that we will be spending £ 20 on these excesses could we not with much benefit to our health set aside half of that amount for the St. Vincent de Paul Society? It would make Christmas so much more meaningful and it can be done with little effort by very many who at present make little or no contribution.
