MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Today is Thursday, September 15th. good morning!this is the world and everything in it From the WORLD Radio that the listener supports. My name is Myrna Brown.
Mary Reichard, Host: I’m Mary Reichard. Inflation isn’t just hurting America’s wallets. Commentator Cal Thomas recently visited Ireland and witnessed the issue there too, with a historical twist.
CLIP: “Song of Ireland”
Cal Thomas, Commentator: Americans aren’t the only ones struggling with skyrocketing housing costs, rising mortgage rates, and rising fuel and food prices.
Irish people are experiencing similar economic pressures. Unlike Americans who can ease the economic pressure and move to states with lower state taxes and cheaper housing, fuel and food, the only option for Irish people is to leave the country.
A study by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) found that “7 in 10 young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are considering moving abroad in search of a better life… at their highest level since…and mortgage rates are set to rise for the first time in 11 years.” The Irish Daily Mail reports that 10,568 people are homeless.
Some are calling for governments to impose price controls, a windfall profit tax on businesses, and a wealth tax on individuals. Sound familiar?
Price controls do not work. Recall that Richard Nixon imposed wage and price controls fifty years before him. And giving government more money doesn’t necessarily help meet individual needs.
The frustration is that the Irish economy seems to be doing well, but the cost of living for many people outstrips the growing prosperity. Hiring a taxi is getting harder and harder. Many drivers have quit their jobs during the pandemic. As I experienced today, it can take up to 30 minutes after a driver is called to arrive. Many of the smaller shops have closed with graffiti adorning their doors.
The NYCI survey showed another disturbing trend. Of the 1,253 respondents, “half reported worsening mental health amid rising bills.”
If young people leave, they are following a sad tradition. Since 1800, about 10 million people have emigrated from Ireland. “
President Kennedy, visiting his ancestral home in June 1963, said of the historic exodus of the Irish: those people.
The theme of immigration is at the heart of much Irish music. The saddest but most beautiful of them is “Song for Ireland”. Here are some of the lyrics:
“talk all day with real friends
someone who tries to keep you
tell jokes and news
Let’s spend the night singing a song…
From here, I’ll leave it to the Irish band The Dubliners.
CLIP: Saw Galway salmon run
Like a silver dance galloping in the sun
live on your west coast
Seeing the summer sunset, I wanted more
I stood by your Atlantic Ocean
And sang a song for Ireland. “
I’m Cal Thomas.
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