© Adam Patterson/Panos for msnbc.comCarpenter Tony Kenny, 27, believes that continuing economic troubles in Ireland will force him to move to Australia to find work.
But unique among the EU's 27 members, Irish voters were Thursday giving their verdict on the policies of austerity as a backlash grows across the continent in countries like Greece, Spain and France.
Both sides in the debate are playing the politics of fear. Ireland's coalition government and much of the establishment implore voters to agree to tight controls on the national debt -- contained in the "Fiscal Stability Treaty" -- warning that failing to do so would result in the EU refusing to provide any further bailout cash.
The "no" campaign counters this is just scaremongering -- saying Ireland would not be cut adrift in time of need -- but engage in some of their own. Austerity will only lead to countless more years of hardship, they say, calling for policies to grow the economy.
Polls put the "yes" campaign ahead, but both sides agree it will be close.
Comment: While the following link is not specific of the situation in Europe, it's worth noting: Cities Are Becoming Cesspools Of Filth, Decay And Wretchedness - which closes with: "So things are going to continue to get worse and.. continue to descend into squalor.
You better get ready."