FF use of State assets

[FakeViking]

She should be leading by example and Ring was perfectly right to bring up the subject - all of you are paying levies and what not and going without services most normal countries take for granted and can pay for because they don't have to bail out the friends of the people who give back handers and dig-outs to politicians.

So her little trips here and there and Cullen's while their state car is used to collect the dry cleaning or brings their kids out clubbing or whatever are paid for by your taxes. So when Lenihan tells you he needs 53 billion to run the country you might ask him why does he need 53 billion - why not 40 or 70? Where exactly is the 53 billion spent and you'll find a chunk goes to pay TDs pensions on top of their salaries or to ferrying McAlesse and her family about the place on a whim etc - all these little abuses of state funds cost money and when you start adding them all up it probably only comes to a few million but that few million might cover the cost of a cervical vacine or specials needs classes or home help or the elderly or buying them alarms to use if they need help etc.

But I don't suppose any FFer would ever think of it that - they just see the resources of the state are their's to be used and abused.

Spot on. When Lenihan tells us "We're living beyond your means" he's referring exactly to waste of resources, so clearly demonstrated by stunts like this. The longer this shower of stale, tired hacks stay in power the worse for this country.

[theoutsider]

The problem is, he and the rest are all career politicians - they are exceptionally untalented at anything it appears. This is why we need limits on public office - has Mary Harney ever held a real job in the private sector?

No worries, I am sure she will have directorships a plenty in waiting when she gets voted out at the next GE (and she will, the amount of people in Newcastle and Clondalking sick of her has grown massive in the last 2 years) from her many mates and supporters in the private medical field. Quid pro quo and all that.

Nope - appointed by Jack Lynch after 1977 and has been living off the state since then - not a commercial bone in her body.

[lostexpectation]

TD backtracks as McAleese helicopter trip sparks furore - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie