"Progressive" Michael D now sends a Xmas message to the happy Irish slaves

Now Michael D has gone a step further from his ceremonial role in supporting war-mongering. He is openly feeding the feel-good factor for the FG-Labour government anti-social economic and political decisions. At a time of extraordinary hardship for the people of Ireland caused by the regressive and pro-business politics of Labour and FG, he comes out to send a Christmas message of "hope" in economic recovery. It is surely strange for a so called "socialist" and "progressive" to come out in such base way to support the fact that his government has passed the burden of the crisis onto the shoulders of the ordinary people of Ireland.

The crisis was not the failure of the model, but was the cause of "mistakes that were made". Sure, you may be unemployed and hit by the budget, but as Michael D, just smile and have faith in our economic recovery strategy, work hard (Irish people will make the country move forward -to someone else's advantage for sure) and shut up (protest is in his new language a form of "recrimination and destructive cynicism). Now communities, instead of demanding the welfare they are entitled to, will have to turn, according to Higgins to charity and "co-operation"... that means, they can see how they survive while our resources and wealth are squandered by the golden circle to which Higgins belong to. This is the extraordinary message for a so called progressive and socialist:

"While we have nearly always tended to think of Christmas as a happy time as families come together to enjoy the festive season, I am also conscious that, for some of you, this year will be a Christmas where unemployment, financial insecurity or the absence of a loved one now living abroad will cast a dark shadow," he said.

"For many others, it will be a sad time due to illness or family bereavement.

"So these are troubling and testing times for so many but while acknowledging the hurt inflicted, the dismay caused by the mistakes that were made, I also believe that the Irish people have the resilience, the fortitude and the wisdom to move beyond any destructive cynicism and recrimination and have the capacity and determination to move on and craft a new positive form of their Irishness."

Mr Higgins, who is recovering from a knee operation, said he is inspired by the innovation and the resourcefulness that have come to the fore in the country's time of economic need.

He commended communities across the island who are renewing themselves in social solidarity through co-operation and together showing practical concern for each other and particularly for the less fortunate in this country and, indeed, throughout the world.

"While the wider global environment is worrying, we are seeing some positive results in our economic affairs," he continued.

"Our exports continue to grow; many of our companies have become more innovative and competitive; and direct inward investment is robust but the great challenge of creating jobs, reducing unemployment remains."

That is Labour for you: a party that defends the worse elements of capitalism and neoliberalism (the praise for competition and the fetishism of investment are quite telling) and that has the clown Higgins as the friendly face to call people to shut up, work, survive and accept without protesting, the unfair burden placed on them by the golden circle of politicans and bankers.