Fianna Fail Canvasser uncovered

Canvassing is not an easy job these days but Martin Mc Gettigan is a man with a mission. A former mayor of Raheny in Co. Dublin and a Peace Commissioner, Martin recently received the nomination from Fianna Fail to go forward as their candidate in the Donaghmede/Raheny/Ward area. Politics is in Martin's blood and his goal is to gain a Fianna Fail seat in this constituency.
Just under two years ago, Martin began canvasing six nights a week. At that stage, Ireland was still in the midst of the Celtic Tiger. As the months went by, it gradually became clear that the economy was changing as well as peoples opinions towards Fianna Fail and our leadership.
It was difficult for us, the canvassing team to go out some nights especially during the recent medical card scandal and strikes.
As a Fianna Fail supporter I was anxious to the reactions that I would receive on the doorstep and how I could justify my support for a party that was losing votes by the day.
Today's Irish Independent/Millward Brown IMS poll shows that support for Fianna Fail has plummeted.Only 1/5 voters feel that Cowen is doing a good job and only 1/10 is satisfied with the government.
My background is staunch Fianna Fail.The family home at Christmas is filled with politics and mistletoe, always something to love or argue about. For me growing up, Fianna Fail was all about Charlie Mc Creevys SSIA scheme which made us all feel like we could do anything, I bought shares and my brother travelled. We both had the means to be in a position to learn, which we now don't regret.The magic spell was short but intoxicating and very quickly without warning it changed so quickly. Life is now different, I can't remember the last time I went clubbing but now I can cook! Both of us hope we will be in our jobs next year.
I find today's poll confusing as the reactions which I have received at the door is not as bitter as suggested. True there is hostility and abuse and favour for Fianna Fail is lower but most people that I have spoken to are honest and understand that we among other countries have a rough ride ahead and an alternative party in power faced with these same problems that are facing Fianna Fail would also be receiving the same criticism.I did get the chance to talk with several people who were on the Civil and Public Service Union strike and they were there to support the situation but were not dissing Fianna Fail.
The Martin Mc Gettigan canvassing routine has at all times kept the show on the road.To be seen and to get talking to as many people as possible.Martin has been planning his campaign for the last two years and his dedication, commitment and personality will surely win him and Fianna Fail a seat. Please give Martin Mc Gettigan your No.1 vote! Martin can't change what is happening in the government or what leadership Cowen is taking. But if he wins a seat, he will be in a better position to help the Donaghmede/Raheny/Ward constituency. The local issues under Dublin County council. All politics is local and this is a local election.
I do wait in anticipation to see what positiveness will come out of this weekends Fianna Fail's Ard Feis and believe that this current government is doing it's best in a very difficult situation and are being very cautious. I am learning about life all the time, and will look back on this post in a few years time and think did I really write that?

A banking low as Gardai raid Anglo Irish

I have heard of pub raids and drug raids but this morning was the case of the long overdue bank raid. Anglo Irish Bank- Ireland's third largest bank became the centre of the gardai's attention, led by the Officier of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE).
A month after the government took control of the bank, and senior staff walk free and tan themselves in Spain, dozens of workers line the streets in fury.
Blind eye regulation and a lax banking environment has resulted in a mountain of deceit hidden by the trusted bank manager until now and the problem is bigger than anyone could have ever imagined .Insider trading,concealed loans and false accounting among other offences are coming out into the open. Our international partners look on us now with our tattered banking reputation and industrial relations frustration etched on the faces of society, as billions of euros leave the country every week.
Why did Brian Lenihan fool us all into thinking "that he would look after the little people" during his budget speech when it is always us the poor tax payer with our measly pensions that must deal with the difficulties while the white collar workers face no convictions?

The bogey €2 coins

Forget the forge €50 note or the dodgy €20 note, the new kid on the block and the biggest culprit of them all is the common €2 coin. Out since 2002 the coin itself is not exactly the problem rather it is the coins that are similar in look and size that are leaving customers short in the pocket. The recent invasion of coins from Mexico, Iran and Turkey are so similar to the €2 coin that retailers are urging all cashiers to double check for the distinctive map of Europe.
This week coming home by the Tunnel late at night, I received two hungarian coins in my change which left me €4 short, visibly angered, I buried my annoyance and got on with it, vowing the next time to check my change, which I always forget. It never strikes one to check coins whereas spotting a dud note is easier by texture and sight.
In my restaurant, I am becoming more eagle eyed to this epidemic,which is a form of "counterfeiting", a crime every country takes very seriously since it damages the economy. When I first noticed these coins in circulation- I started wondering what type of person was the culprit? Maybe the friendly Moroccan trying to distract me by engaging in conversation over a latte? The granny who takes ages to find the coins and I'm already accepting the change from the next customer or the builders in the morning?
On finding the bogus €2 which can come from anyone out there, I politely ask the customer for the right change, some look sheepish but others take it back to fawn it off elsewhere unashamedly. The €2 fakies are still making their way into the till though so now I offer them as a present to fellow shoppers to try and see where they can spend it, they look shocked and laugh meekly while accepting curiously. Am I making these people aware of the crime or am i encouraging it? One thing for sure- the €2 coins are out of my sight and out of mind but bound to come back in some other way.