WE HAVE never been more powerful than we are right now. We, the people. We hold the balance of power. Each and every one of us individually — and more in this election than at any time in the recent past.

JAMES CARVILLE has a strange Louisiana accent, and he speaks very fast.

IN the good old days, there was always one thing on which you could rely. It was up there with the soothing quality of Barry’s Tea, the freshness of Brennan’s Bread, the reliability of Dunnes Stores prices.

It already seems it’s the promises they can’t make that might mean all the difference.

Some people with an intellectual disability are owed rebates by the State because they were improperly charged in the past.

WHO IS in charge around here? There was a time when it was the Government that employed the nurses, the teachers, the gardaí and all the other public servants we need.

IS THERE a danger that the legacy of Charlie McCreevy will go sour for the Government?

IS THERE a possibility we might be about to have an unconstitutional general election? Of course, it’s never happened before in the history of the State.

IN a democracy there is no uglier spectacle than the power of the State being used against its own citizens. In fact it’s not even compatible with the notion of democracy.

THERE’S a famous conversation in one of the Sherlock Holmes short stories.