Budget Speculation and Its Consequences
According to Charles Curran, managing director at Maskells, the media's role is often described as
"comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable", a phrase paraphrased from Mr. Dooley, a character created by Finley Peter Dunne in 1893.
Leaks from inside the government are forcing media outlets to fill their columns with predictions about the Budget, which can be terrifying. Despite the country's financial struggles, the principle of
"Don't buy it if you can't afford it"seems to elude even the brightest minds in government.
The expected 4% increase in benefits is a point of contention, fueling anger among the public.
Author's summary: Budget speculation sparks anger and concern.