Have people given up on the economy and the Country

[Sunny]

Has anyone else noticed recently that there seems to almost a sense of resignation with regard to the economy and the ability of the Government to sort it out. The Country seems tired and jaded after a year of listening to the same waffle and arguments with no progress being made.
I am wondering if todays budget will lead to a new wave of anger and public protest but I have my doubts. We seem to have lost the will to fight (I mean in a positive and constructive way and not by fighting and protesting on the streets!).

As much as I disagreed with an outside agency like S&P commenting on the makeup of the Irish Government, I really do believe that the Country needs new energy and focus and that this can only be achieved by change of Government. Not saying a new Government will do any better with the problems but at least there will be new dynamic. We really something to kick start us again!

 

[NorthDrum]

Many People are just as defeatest now about the economy as they were excited when the Celtic Kitten warmed all our cockles . . . For a nation thats supposedly renowned for the "craic" we are extremely pessimistic. A friend of mine who lives in the US (ground Zero) is shocked at what he hears about how people here are reacting to the "pre boom years".

Like any nation, we have a huge amount of Doom merchants, a huge amount of osterichs (head in sand) and less amount of people who think it could go either way.

I would agree that perhaps we need a new Government, but dont think that the opposition are in any better shape to improve things (Gilemore or Kenny as Taoiseach, are you kidding me!). Richard Bruton would be my choice as leader of FG.

Pre Budget Prediction:

There will be strikes, there will be anger and there will be blind panic.

"Fine so, Im going up North" will be one of the populast comments (as if that does the country any favours, sort of like cutting off your nose despite your face really). I heard that one on the radio earlier and had to laugh at the lack of understanding so many people are showing and why that attitude is wrong on so many levels . . .

I just think people have the knives out and are waiting to just jump on anything this budget has that affects them. Harping on about who got us here and why its not our fault is useless, timewasting and counter productive. Hey if Im wrong about peoples reactions, happy days, maybe there is hope for the country yet.

I could go on, but dont want to rant too much . . At least before the budget . . . No doubt some Einsteins will point out how wrong I am after the budget is announced . .

 

[Caveat]

I don't know about giving up - personally, I'm trying my best to be optimistic and to not be too cautious consumer wise. Basically, within reason, I'm trying to behave as though there was no recession - which I am convinced is the best approach.

But maybe I'm simply fiddling while the country burns!

As regards the government's ability - I have had little confidence in them in any respect for the last 10 years or so but critically, any cock ups didn't have serious financial repercussions when there was money around. More noticeable now of course.

 

[Shawady]

I try to remain positive by reminding myself that my parents had it a lot tougher in the 70's and 80's, with a lot less money than I have now, and they got through it.
However, I can understand why people have no faith in this government. They are constantly playing catch-up. They appear to be making decisions for political reasons as opposed to economic ones.

 

[NorthDrum]

I try to remain positive by reminding myself that my parents had it a lot tougher in the 70's and 80's, with a lot less money than I have now, and they got through it.
However, I can understand why people have no faith in this government. They are constantly playing catch-up. They appear to be making decisions for political reasons as opposed to economic ones.

Recessions do leave people into being depressed. Depression is not easy to get out of emotionally or physically.

I dont blame people for being angry or feeling like its the end of the world. However, people who simply go around trying to drag others down with them offer nothing constructive to the efforts to get the country back on track.

Staying realistic and positive is the only healthy way we can emotionally get through the recession.

My wife had my first child 3 weeks ago and its put everything into perspective for me. If I lose my job (and I have given it great thought), I will sweep the roads or work in McDonalds to provide for my family. Worst case scenario is that I have a wonderful family who love me as much as I love them. For that I am richer then most, no recession can take that away from me, that helps me stay positive . . .

 

[tara83]

My wife had my first child 3 weeks ago and its put everything into perspective for me. If I lose my job (and I have given it great thought), I will sweep the roads or work in McDonalds to provide for my family. Worst case scenario is that I have a wonderful family who love me as much as I love them. For that I am richer then most, no recession can take that away from me, that helps me stay positive

It's great to see prespective (family is more important always) but at the moment it's hard even to get jobs working in McDonalds. I have years of retail experience and also thought at least I had something to fall back on if I lose my job but I can't even seem to get these jobs. Employers are looking for people who will stay long term not a couple of months.

I am trying to stay positive and look at it as a blip and believe that the country will recover however a part of me will always be looking over my shoulder for the next recesssion once things recover.

 

[MrMan]

I don't know about giving up - personally, I'm trying my best to be optimistic and to not be too cautious consumer wise. Basically, within reason, I'm trying to behave as though there was no recession - which I am convinced is the best approach.

But maybe I'm simply fiddling while the country burns!

As regards the government's ability - I have had little confidence in them in any respect for the last 10 years or so but critically, any cock ups didn't have serious financial repercussions when there was money around. More noticeable now of course.

I've followed the same course as best i can, I lost my job at end of Jan so money has been tight, but I have painted the house, doing the garden next and had bits and pieces to keep me sane. I have tried for any sales, retail and clerical work to no avail. My cooking skills are slowly improving and i'm fitter than i was 2 months ago.
It is a good time to re-evaluate things and you soon surprise yourself as to just how well you can live on 200 a week although the mortgage is the toughest thing to manage but we are, just.
I bought a house with my partner this year (closed days before my notice!) and we had allowed for the fact that i was in a precarious position but we had savings and wanted to take the plunge together and it really has made a real difference for us a couple. When I suggest that couples do this in other posts I'm slated as a VI, EA but I put my money where my mouth is.

So to answer the op I haven't given up yet and I have stopped listening and reading the bad news as much and concentrate on what I can control in my own life. The major downer has been that it all seems so out of our hands so if you can do something positive for yourself it helps. I still have some sleepness nights where numbers are running through my head but my budgeting skills have improved thankfully.

 

[Ancutza]

I really feel for everyone in Ireland who have been made jobless in the current climate.

Our own family has been affected in the last week with my brother-in-law having to accept a 2 year contract in the middle-east , leaving four small kids and my sister behind for the next 2 years at least. Heart-breaking for all involved but I suppose he's one of the 'lucky' ones in that he's got somewhere to go.

 

[bullbars]

I try to remain positive by reminding myself that my parents had it a lot tougher in the 70's and 80's, with a lot less money than I have now, and they got through it.
However, I can understand why people have no faith in this government. They are constantly playing catch-up. They appear to be making decisions for political reasons as opposed to economic ones.

I do the same, My parents raised four of us through the late eighties/early nineties with only my father working in a relatively average job. Things were tight but I never went hungry, didnt have the best clothes but never had nothing to wear, got a great education from local schools.

The governments latest budget has been referred to as firefighting and thats all they can do with the lack of foresight they showed in the last few years.

 

[Complainer]

I will sweep the roads or work in McDonalds to provide for my family.

What makes you think you have a hope in hell of getting either of these jobs? No local authority can recruit road sweepers, and in Mickey Ds, you'll be behind a bit queue of architects and solicitors.