Dear John

Dear John,
It seems our special bond is failin.’
Our relationship, it seems, is all but through.
Find comfort in the arms of Sarah Palin,
She loves you more than I could ever do.

RTE Drivetime competition
Win a trip for two to Orlando
so as we pick ourselves up from the budget floor...we have another wonderful competition for you to enter...
this time the destination is the united states ...a terrific trip for two to orlando...courtesy of touramerica.ie....who will fly you and a friend with aer lingus direct to orlando in florida...you will stay at the luxurious 4 star regal sun resort for one week. you will also have a car fully inclusive of all extras for the duration.
what we want you to do is imagine you are the newly-elected president of the united states.....known in the white house....i kid you not.... as potus...
you are preparing your acceptance speech and you have no more than 40 words to pay tribute to the losing candidate.
you get to choose whether to be barack or john....and after that...let your imagination roll....so long as you don't exceed 40 words.
the closing date is monday november 3rd......and the election itself of course is november 4th.

Hating old people

Oh cleave my poor tongue to the roof of my mouth
And cast me adrift to my fate.
May all of my friends say ‘Farewell’ and head south,
For what I’m about to relate.

The elderly, sadly, are all in a tizzy
Because of the budget’s means testing.
Many are scandalised, many are busy
Writing in to Joe Duffy, protesting.

The subject’s emotive and Lenihan’s lash
Has caused quite an old-age furore.
They’re on the phone saying they won’t have the cash
In Galway and Gort and in Gorey.

“Worked hard all my life. Now I’m left out to rot.”
“They’re robbing old people of savings.”
“Robbing us blind of the little we’ve got.”
On and on go the denture-frothed ravings.

But what is the problem, I ask, pretty please,
To take part in a means-tested audit?
Why should those with millions seek medical fees
When its evident they can afford it?

Hand-outs should go with how little you earn –
Old age should not earn you acquittal.
Let those OAPs who have money to burn
Not sponge off of those who have little.

Of course I agree that the thresh-hold is low,
And that some of those caught are not wealthy,
But the principal stands – you should pay as you go
If your bank book is looking quite healthy.

.

Can't believe I'm siding with FF / PDs on this one but I can't see any earthly reason why medical cards for OAPs should not be means tested. Was it right for former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey to have a medical card? Or George Redmond? The current cut off point is somewhat low and should be raised but the principle is sound.