God help us all!

We have been away for a while and look what happens! The country goes down the tube. Is it a coincidence? Did our absence allow those supposedly in charge of the banana republic fall asleep at the wheel?
I think no, somehow. Our degree of influence may extend to getting Obama elected as US president but to achieve anything positive in getting Brian Cowen to run this little country of four million is beyond our realm I fear.
When Cowen was elected Taoiseach this scribe appealed for a chance to allow him show his mettle. He was carried shoulder-high around Clara and happily supped pints for the media. Here was an ordinary guy, just like Bertie, except he had a brain that would be employed for the good of the country, not protecting his political arse in Drumcondra.
Difficult times meant there was little chance of a honeymoon period normally accorded to incoming office holders. We forgave him some early lapses, wondered aloud about Mary Coughlan as his choice of Tainaiste, but left well enough alone for him and his team to get on with it.
Boy, did we get it wrong!
We know there is a world crisis, unprecedented in its force and effect. But, eighteen months ago Ireland was regarded by all and sundry across the world for the healthy position of its finances. We had fifteen good years to shore us up for the rainy day. Batten down the hatches and we’ll get over this hump, we said smugly to ourselves.
Look at us now. My God, look at us now!
Once again, we are the paupers of the world. It was all an illusion. Daggers and mirrors, as Bertie might say. We are penniless. Much worse, we owe a fortune and the perfect storm has erupted over our heads. We never put a penny by for the first rainy that came. We blew the good times.
Tax revenue falling as fast as Biffo drops from 10,000 feet without a parachute, massive rising unemployment, banks closed for business, the consumer not spending (and those who are do it in Newry).
Who is to blame for the disaster?
Bertie, of course! But isn’t hindsight 20/20 vision? On reflection, who was Finance Minister for the last four years when the ground was quietly crumbling beneath our feet?
Biffo the Brain was at the helm of the SS Moneybags Ireland; heading for the rocks, unknown to us, throwing our life savings over the side.
Bertie anointed Cowen as his successor.
Smiling two-faced Bertie was replaced by grumpy straight and Brainy Biffo. Sure, wasn’t the man a genius according to the spin machine?
But now it has emerged that we were duped all along. Grumpy Biffo was plain old Grumpy Biffo. The brain was missing.
The two Brians and Mary now are in charge.
Oh my God!