THE LAST WORD
By Pat Coughlan
Hope, it’s the lifeblood that keeps us all pushing on. Would you agree? Maybe not but anyway without it, we’d be stuck in the mud, dragging our feet through every rut life throws at us. I’ve always seen hope as the spark that lights up our path, especially when everything feels like it’s closing in. It’s that small voice whispering, “Try again, keep going,” even on the roughest days. Without hope, there’s no drive, no oomph to get things done. This feeling is what fuels progress and keeps society ticking over.
I’ve seen firsthand how hope works its magic in bringing people together. For instance, in Berlin, after the wall came down, the city faced immense challenges in reunifying. But the hope for a better, united future brought people together, fostering a spirit of collaboration and rebuilding that transformed Berlin into the vibrant metropolis it is today.
When a community rallies behind a shared dream or faces a challenge together with a glimmer of hope, it’s like watching a football team play with heart. Everyone’s in sync, helping one another, and that hope creates a bond stronger than any concrete. Without hope, we’d be scattered, lost even. But with it, we stand resilient, shoulder to shoulder, building something grander than ourselves. It’s that shared spark of hope that makes all the difference in thriving communities.
During Covid-19, the Government’s Pandemic Unemployment Payment supported jobless individuals, and the efficient vaccine rollout offered security. When the Government listens and acts on our needs, it inspires us. Conversely, when they fail, it’s disheartening. Hence, clear communication and proactive support are essential to help and uplift us.
While supporting people financially in times of economic difficulty is both welcome and a source of hope offering multiple supports in an election year will be seen as an abuse of hope and people might very well form the opinion that, if a Government plays fast and loose with the people’s desire for hope, maybe they cannot be trusted with a vote.
I’ve seen it myself, the way a lack of hope can tear people apart. When hope vanishes, despair takes its place, and you can feel the weight of it in the air. Communities crumble, folks stop caring about each other, and innovation grinds to a halt. I remember reading about towns that lost their industries; without hope, they became ghost towns. For example, the closure of coal mines in Castlecomer could have led to the entire community disbanding. But it did not. The people had hope. But in the United States, cities like Detroit suffered immensely when the automotive industry declined, leaving many neighbourhoods deserted. People gave up, and the sense of togetherness just disappeared. It’s a stark reminder that, without hope, society can’t thrive. We need to learn from these stories and make sure we never let hope slip through our fingers.
So let’s look at how we can give hope through the Apple windfall tax. We all know the crisis we’re in. The cost of living is out of control, housing is a nightmare, and healthcare is a mess. It’s enough to make anyone lose hope. But what if the Government decides not to use that €14 billion windfall from Apple to address these crucial issues?
Without investing in housing, homelessness and overcrowded living conditions will spike. Failing to improve primary care will lead to longer wait times and untreated illnesses. Ignoring the rising cost of living will erode financial stability, making necessities harder to afford. Without targeted investment, hope for a brighter future dims. The consequences are severe: a neglected and disillusioned population, with growing anxiety about living conditions, health, and expenses. Leaders must invest wisely to light the way towards better days.
Hope serves as the foundational element of our society. It functions as both the catalyst for transformation and the cohesive force binding us together. Without it, our path forward becomes unclear.
Responsibility lies with everyone — from community members to policymakers — to ensure that this fervour remains vibrant. By fostering an environment where hope is shared and support is extended, we collectively cultivate a vision of a promising future. A heart fuelled by hope is one that thrives, and this vitality is essential for our collective progress and prosperity.
