The incidents in Phoenix Park last weekend, along with countless other examples of petty crime, anti-social behaviour, tax evasion, social welfare fraud on a daily basis are symptoms of a country that exists in a moral vacuum. Over the past 20 years we have seen the pillars of our society crumble one by one – the church, the banks, our elected representatives, the charities we contribute to, the Gardai, the list goes on – there’s pretty much NO ONE in Ireland capable of exerting any moral authority over the citizens of Ireland.
In this kind of environment it has quickly become every man/woman for him/herself, and it seems more and more that the old expression that “no good deed goes unpunished” is the ultimate truth. Working hard, paying your way and trying to teach your kids to abide by the same principles has become highly questionable because it seems we’re just setting them up to be taken advantage of in the coming years. Being self-reliant and playing by the rules seems to be a complete anathema for much of the population.
My concern is that this isn’t sustainable and that there’s something radical going to fill the vacuum – it’s known that Osama Bin Laden saw Ireland as a breeding ground for Islam based on the assumption that our disillusionment with the Catholic Church would cause us to look for something else to fill the void, but that’s only part of the risk. The bigger risk as I see it is that some radical political viewpoint will crystallise and generate an extreme nationalist party that basically takes the country beyond redemption within my lifetime.

Originally Posted by Disillusioned democrat

The incidents in Phoenix Park last weekend, along with countless other examples of petty crime, anti-social behaviour, tax evasion, social welfare fraud on a daily basis are symptoms of a country that exists in a moral vacuum. Over the past 20 years we have seen the pillars of our society crumble one by one – the church, the banks, our elected representatives, the charities we contribute to, the Gardai, the list goes on – there’s pretty much NO ONE in Ireland capable of exerting any moral authority over the citizens of Ireland.
In this kind of environment it has quickly become every man/woman for him/herself, and it seems more and more that the old expression that “no good deed goes unpunished” is the ultimate truth. Working hard, paying your way and trying to teach your kids to abide by the same principles has become highly questionable because it seems we’re just setting them up to be taken advantage of in the coming years. Being self-reliant and playing by the rules seems to be a complete anathema for much of the population.
My concern is that this isn’t sustainable and that there’s something radical going to fill the vacuum – it’s known that Osama Bin Laden saw Ireland as a breeding ground for Islam based on the assumption that our disillusionment with the Catholic Church would cause us to look for something else to fill the void, but that’s only part of the risk. The bigger risk as I see it is that some radical political viewpoint will crystallise and generate an extreme nationalist party that basically takes the country beyond redemption within my lifetime.

The Irish model of society is not sustainable. People must sufer the consequences of their actions or inactions rather than have others pick up the burden for them.

Welcome to Pandora's Box!

Originally Posted by Knapaghbeg

The Irish model of society is not sustainable. People must sufer the consequences of their actions or inactions rather than have others pick up the burden for them.

Indeed - here's the latest example of the Irish "it's all the government's fault" mentality:

State must help flight students, says mum - National News - Independent.ie

How Ireland was always violent

Anyway, how would you suggest solving the problem?

Originally Posted by Knapaghbeg

The Irish model of society is not sustainable. People must sufer the consequences of their actions or inactions rather than have others pick up the burden for them.

They could start by buying train tickets before boarding....

Originally Posted by Alara

Oh how I hope so.

Its actually a sort of leftist fantasy, they hope to heroically fight against the "fash".

Not realising its unlimited personal freedom that basically has wrecked this society. Everyone must be allowed to do what they like and they are no consequences that matter apparently.

We'll have to wait until the pensions timebomb explodes the country before the real right comes back into fashion.

Originally Posted by Telemachus

Its actually a sort of leftist fantasy, they hope to heroically fight against the "fash".

Not realising its unlimited personal freedom that basically has wrecked this society. Everyone must be allowed to do what they like.

We'll have to wait until the pensions timebomb explodes the country before the real right comes back into fashion.

How is personal freedom 'unlimited'?

Our problem stems from the top down and many of our problems are that many people seem to feel that hard work and honesty are simply not enough to provide them with a decent life.

It's not hard to understand why people are fed up and while it could result in an extreme nationalist movement it could also result in some meaningful change to restore the state to a position of moral authority.

Originally Posted by Knapaghbeg

The Irish model of society is not sustainable. People must sufer the consequences of their actions or inactions rather than have others pick up the burden for them.

So you're against debt forgiveness, bailouts etc?

You, along with the party before people types, are the perfect example of why the current Irish model of society is not sustainable...