[Park Royal]

Originally Posted by Rojomcdojo

Well I think the first step in revealing a truth is realising and examining the doubt. Although as a person I am obviously going to be prejudice in some way. Great point about the referenda - I've learned in the last few years how elastic politics actually can be. That said, I'm studying political science so I'm bound to.

I'm amazed though, how someone could have lived through the 70's, 80's and early 90's and still be in shock that we've entered into another recession. Where do these people live their lives? The clouds might be an apt assumption.

Dear Rojomcdojo, I suspect I have to put myself in the category of being in shock that were in a recession.........I lived/worked through the 70, 80, and 90's,

I kept hearing how great our education system was how we were educating our people to be ABC 1's , with so many with first class degrees, our legal system was as good as it gets in the world, decades of pious Catholic religion to which most of our conservative politicians appeared to subscribe , as they went up the church isle to receive communion....

Our civil servants the "cream de la cream" of the educational system ( with pay packets to match and huge pensions )were on the bridge of state guiding our devote politicians with their arduous tasks , with our ministers looking after their ministerial portfolios given to them by bright Party Leaders and given formal authority on receiving their "seals" of office from the President of Ireland.......

I expected the regulators and the various organs of state to actually function effectively, particularly as they were full of so well "educated " Irish Citizens......our brothers and sisters.......

Guess I got it wrong......my head was in the clouds.....!

[Hawkeye123]

Hi Rojo. I often try to understand socialists. Usually I conclude that they fall into two categories. Those who are socialist but do not understand it (they think they do understand it) - these are genuine people who happen to be wrong. The socialists who really do understand what socialism is all about but choose to be socialist anyway - these people are evil and extremely dangerous. In the final analysis however, genuine socialist and capitalists (like me) all want the same thing for society - we just see different ways of attaining a just and fair society.
I try avoid taking a trenchant position even when I am sure I am right. Wars are fought on the basis of ideologies which is why the focus should always be on common ground and dialogue. There is usually some good and bad, right and wrong on both sides of the argument. The challenge is to separate good from evil whatever the scenario.