A billboard sign that sends a powerful message
A few days ago, as I went out to buy milk from a corner shop nearby, I came across a very powerful billboard sign that captures the current climate in Ireland. The Irish economy is in trouble. Many say that it is in a worse position than other countries in the western world. Many people are out of work and those who are working are facing paycuts. I have been looking for work for the last eight months and have never experienced such a difficult time finding a job. It doesn’t make sense for so many well-educated, young, and healthy individuals to be out of work. Twelve percent of people in Ireland are currently out of work and there are not enough jobs available.
Every time I read the newspaper or hear the news, there is so much finger pointing going on. Headlines in newpapers constantly target various groups of population such as the elderly receiving government pensions, children receiving childare benefits, and civil servants making too much money. The Irish media including RTE and The Irish Independent target different groups of people with one headline at a time. One day, I found an article in Irish Independent about how retired teachers are taking precious jobs away from newly qualified teachers by working as part time substitute teachers. Another article targetted public doctors who are paid too much money. I have heard so much radio coverage targetting families with children for getting too much child allowances and unemployed people receiving unemployment assistance.
I think that there is so much negativity going on in this country right now. It is difficult, but I think that Ireland should think about how to revitalize this country and its economy. This is a crucial time for decision-makers to not just come up with bandaid solutions, but long-term solutions for their economy to become stronger.
