Have we lost sight of our destiny?

• "Our object in building up the country economically must not be lost sight of. That object is not to be able to boast of enormous wealth or of a great volume of trade, for their own sake. It is not to see our country covered with smoking chimneys and factories. It is not to show a great national balance-sheet, nor to point to a people producing wealth with the self-obliteration of a hive of bees. The real riches of the Irish nation will be the men and women of the Irish nation, the extent to which they are rich in body and mind and character."
  
  Michael Collins 1890-1922
  
  
• Our NATIONAL DEBT currently exceeds €94,500.000.000.00
  (This does not, to my knowledge, include either NAMA or the bank bailout, these could easily double the above figure in excess of €180,000.000.000.00)
  Our TOTAL EXTERNAL DEBT now exceeds €1,650,000,000,000.00
  (The total public and private debt owed to non-residents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services). The HIGHEST per-capita external debt in the world.
  UNEMPLOYMENT is out of hand, and rising.
  BUSINESS FAILURES are rampant and increasing.
  QUALITY OF LIFE is being systematically destroyed.
  RETIREMENT age is being raised (and will continue to rise).
  The Irish Nation is being saddled into 'ECONOMIC SLAVERY'.
• Like many people in this country, I have more than just myself to think about. I have a wife and child who's future and welfare I am concerned for. But we, as a nation, have to rise farther beyond that, to a greater level of selflessness, and act in the best interests of our country and its future generations. Like everybody else in the country, I am not satisfied with the choices being offered, but I don't see anyone else stepping up to the plate. I am offering my heart soul and mind to the people of Ireland and will run directly for the leadership of this country.
  
  I have come to a very difficult decision...
  I see only one of two things happening in the near future... Either someone is placed into power with an honest determination to repair and strengthen our society, or I am getting in the departure line along with all of Ireland's other sons and daughters.
  
  There is no use whatsoever trying to help people who do not help themselves.
  You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he is willing to climb himself.
  
  Andrew Carnegie 1835-1919