“The magician and the politician have much in common: they both have to draw our attention away from what they are really doing.” – Ben Okri
Wouldn’t it be great if all of our expenses were taken care of for us by those who run the country and we could concentrate on using our salary as we see fit? It actually sounds fantastic and you would wonder what planet you were living on to have such a benefit.
But then I have often wondered exactly what planet politicians are on because the real world must seem like a distant memory to them.
The story that has broken in the expenses row of the British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith in relation to pay per view films appearing on her house expense sheet, paid for by the British Government. Subsequently Ms Smith was criticised for claiming more than £116,000 in allowances for her family home in the West Midlands after nominating her sister’s property in London – where she stayed several nights a week – as her main residence.
I understand there are instances where their profession can cause politicians to be away from their main residence. But there is always something that is a step too far.
How is it that Ministerial offices are nearly always revamped yearly at a huge cost to the tax payer. How is it when the Dáil is not in session it still costs us, the taxpayer, money?
How can we justify Minister Cullen’s St Patrick’s Day trip to Miami and Houston that cost €10,500? The two flights cost €7,850, accommodation €1,607, local transport €600 and “sundry expenses” €285.
Last year the total cost of St Patrick’s Day trips for 33 Ministers cost €523,621 and I suppose as a courtesy to the public only 17 went this year.
Is there really a need for so many to go in the first place? How much do you really need to promote Ireland on March 17th? It’s the day when everyone claims to be Irish.
Are the hours long? Are the days tough? Both answers are obviously yes but as in a lot of professions, some work harder then others. In days where people across the world are struggling, it seems like a smack in
the mouth to the voting public, as we start to see where our hard earn money goes.
It isn’t a pretty picture.
Monday, March 30th, 2009 and is filed under Prayer & the Christian life, The Church, Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.
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