SHORT-termism is the curse of modern politics. We have a system where decisions about our future are decided by career politicians, many of whom have shifted seamlessly from university to roles in political parties before being elected to office.

The inevitable result is a worldview shaped only by the prejudices of their party, with action in office constrained by the need to be re-elected.

Like the rest of us, they have to pay the mortgage, put the kids through school, buy the shopping.

While I don’t want to suggest that politicians are motivated purely by personal greed, I am asking which one of us would willingly jeopardise our income? No you, not me. So why them?

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The result is a system of government focused purely on the dynamics of the next election; a system where difficult decisions are kicked into the long grass in case facing up to them spooks the electorate.

Reform, if there is any, is piecemeal and policy is often determined by what political parties perceive will be popular rather than what is right.

Voters are complicit too. We know that difficult decisions need to be made on infrastructure, the allocation of resources and taxation.........

© The Irish News