Joe is a regular at DalymountQuote:
Originally Posted by pete
Printable View
Joe is a regular at DalymountQuote:
Originally Posted by pete
Sorry, I wasn't clear originally. When I was quoting you, I wasn't contradicting what you said, just elaborating.Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
Rightly or wrongly, the EP is seen as a stepping stone to national politics just like local councils (but maybe more important than councils!). I don't think there's any conflict between them. In the course of a political career, someone might represent Douglas, then Cork South-Central, then Munster (now called 'South') in different assemblies. Do you think they should only be allowed to identify with/represent one of these geographical areas?Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
True enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
Absolutely not, however I do think they should decide on a track and stick with it. I'm thinking of people like Simon Coveney when I say this. The only reason Coveney's come back to national politics is because he thinks he has a shot at party leader, maybe Taoiseach. However he always had that shot, and imho the European job wasn't about representing Munster at a European level as much as it was about representing Simon at a European level. Even from a practical point of view, he would have had more visibility as a TD.Quote:
Originally Posted by crc
I should add that I'm not singling out Simon here, he's far from the only one at it, and he's definitely not the worst of them. He's just an example i'm aware of.
adam
I've never put a mark in a box next to Fianna Fáil or Sinn Féin and won't be breaking the habit of a lifetime this time 'round either.
I have no faith that Fine Gael would be one jot better than Fianna Fail. They should just merge at this stage as all they truly have to divide them is a near century old, utterly irrelevant civil war issue.
I know loads of politicians have done it in the past & I have possibly voted fot them in the past but if an MEP runs for the Dail & gets elected he/she will have to resign the MEP seat. European doesn't seem to be particularly important but it does seem like the politician is breaking an MEP contract & then end up with sum mug representing is who would never have got elected initially.
Sinn Fein will never get a vote off of me, Fianna Fail need to be ripped apart as a party, or at least be given a warning that we won't stand for their corrupt ways anymore (any failure to do so in the upcoming election will see the end of me having any pride in this country), the PDs :rolleyes: , Labour need to get themselves sorted out, don't know if I'd trust a socialist or green led country (as in I don't think either party would be capable of running a country on their own * and yes I know its not even an option with either party), can't be bothered with independents, and have no interest in Enda Kenny as a leader of this country, so with all that said I'll be voting...
Fine Gael, because Fianna Fail have raped this country for too much money, so as their Dublin friends can live an even more comfortable lifestyle, and quite simply they need to be booted out
Same here. I will usually go right down past 10th preference but SF won't get any. Any party who is fascist or Marxist depending on their mood doesn't need my vote.Quote:
Originally Posted by jebus
They won't get one off me either but they are neither Fascist or marxist. Come on, these guys are pimping themselves to FF as potential governmental partners.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Might explain why its hard to find any policies on their website without reading through long essays.Quote:
Originally Posted by BohsPartisan
Does not matter if I agree or not but I think the Labour 5 promises thing is clever as at least they do cost the items...
Better you vote Fine Gael than Fianna Failures if just for the latter reason, but on the former point do you not think Fine Gael will do just the same? They're Fine Fail II, essentially. Any semblence they had to an alternative disappeared even before Kenny. I've actually read their policy documents, and they're simply rubbish.Quote:
Originally Posted by jebus
adam
he still tried his hardest to keep us from doing the land deal:mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by monutdfc
Mick Barry all the way - I just wonder why theres a plethora of tiny left wing parties. could they not co-operate? at least make a little bit of effort toward negating the need to vote for novelty acts like the greens.
... can you elaborate on what makes you consider the greens a "novelty act"?Quote:
Originally Posted by GavinZac
The only thing I consider "novel" about them is that, unlike pretty much everyone else, they don't pump out short-term goody bag giveaway policies in a vulgar clamour for power at any cost. That's probably the reason why their % popularity is in single figures -there are relatively few short-term benefits to be seen in their positions -but scarcely doubtable long term ones.
Fianna Fail on the other hand seem to just offer whatever they reckon gets them back in for the next four or five years ...where's the leadership in that? There is none. That's clientist administrative brokeridge and nothing more.
Well they attach themselves to some noble causes. Environmental responsilities, renewable energy, etc etc. The long term goals that have come to the fore, and people think of them as "experts" on. Thats grand, but then you have to examine their actual local politics. Things like showing up supporting people whenever they feel like protesting against a new road so they might get a better compo deal. According to the greens, the northside of cork city shouldn't get a ring road linked to the south, because it'd "destroy the last green space in cork city", the lee fields. Well never mind that the area is not actually in cork city, or that theres already 2 roads through it (and this one would be running perpendicular to these, taking up much less space), or that theres plenty of other green around, or that the lee fields are man made, we NEED a ring road. The traffic situation in Cork is a joke. Providing a ring road would improve both private traffic and public transport. Hell, taking away all teh cars sitting in traffic with engines running would do wonders for the air! Do the greens care? No, they just want to be seen doing something "green" in a photo opportunity. Thats just in Cork, without going into the farce caused by them in Galway. They are merely a novelty. Elect a party that actually have more than one purpose, and put pressure on them to perform environmentally. I wouldn't elect a single-cause candidate, let alone party.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
Woah - so they give people what they want? Thats dangerously close to democracy.Quote:
Fianna Fail on the other hand seem to just offer whatever they reckon gets them back in for the next four or five years ...where's the leadership in that? There is none. That's clientist administrative brokeridge and nothing more.
That's why a reasonably successful Green Party is a necessity. Their existence forces other parties to step up to the plate on evironmental issues. The emergence of Green parties in Europe a few decades ago has had this effect. I have also seen evidence of this in my letter box with the Labour and FF candidates in my area sending four page leaflets through the door pimping their environmental policies. I know such matters are in vogue at the moment anyway but a Green candidate nipping at those parties heels forces them to consider the issues harder. We all know they're don't threaten to be anymore than a junior colaition partner so most of their policies wouldn't be implemented and even if they did grow in stature they'd probably mainstream themselves like Labour.Quote:
Originally Posted by GavinZac
Speaking of Labour, after Fianna Fail and the PDs they have the potential to be one of the biggest losers according to the polls. In spite of shrinking support for the current coalition Labour's polling sees them the same as last time or even taking a minor hit.
As for Frank McNamara, he's now plastered his mug all over the Walkinstown roundabout with multiples posters on each lampost, expect accidents from disturbed drivers. He may serve some use if he could edge O'Snodaigh out but I think he'd be more likely to push an FF candidate out.
tut tut ConorH, you wont be voting for the president of Galway United ?????Quote:
Originally Posted by Conor H
I think you'll find that once they enter a coalition it will be the other way around. To stay in power, with all the perks that comes with they will have to make compromise after compromise. They completely capitulated on nuclear power. Look at the German greens for example. In fact you don't have to look that far afield. Look at the greens here in council positions. In fingal for example they "abstained" on some votes on planning issues. How can an environmental party abstain on planning?Quote:
Originally Posted by Poor Student
Election set for 24th May.
Brilliant.Quote:
Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge
The Greens are a bit flaky but one policy i agree with is:
Quote:
Reform – in a revenue neutral manner – VRT and motor tax systems so that taxes reflect the level of emissions from a vehicle
Not familiar with the ins and outs of the Lee Fields situation but if they're to be attacked for Local Politics so should the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael candidates here in Limerick East whose literature confirms their outright OPPOSITION to the introduction of bus lanes and Cycle lanes here in Limerick for fears these lanes might impinge on the on-road parking rights of some of Limericks wealthiest citizens. No problem sticking clearways outside the homes of the less well heeled who don't have off-road parking or rear access but we'll not be having that carry-on on the millionaire mile of the Ennis Road and South Circular. Feck everyone elses needs.Quote:
Originally Posted by GavinZac
...in it's crudest form perhaps but you don't challenge that it's devoid of leadership. Besides which you can't keep on doing it forever. Oops here comes that "sustainability" word.Quote:
Originally Posted by GavinZac
They would set it during my college exams... :mad:
... and on a thursday. can't have them ideallistic studenty types getting home and voting now ...they mightn't vote the way needed. :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by holidaysong
Bertie must think Milan will get through on Wednesday. (CL final is on 23rd):rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge
Not No.1 anyway..perhaps No.2;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
On a side note can anyone elaborate on the ethos/aims of the Socialist Party.
They appear to be very much a shadow party...:confused:
Is he trying to disenfranchise the Manchester vote as they'll all be in Greece?Quote:
Originally Posted by kingdom hoop
Actually we are at home to Shels that day so I will be going home for that anyway so I will be able to vote. Elections really should be on a Saturday though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
How do you mean? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Conor H
http://www.socialistparty.net
Its ok voting for the Socialist Party based on local issues (maybe better to vote for in local elections) but seems pointless on a National basis as they will never get a chance to implement their policies. I notice there is no mention of tax policy in the website linked above I presume because of required tax rise.
The parties haven't wasted much time in putting up their election posters as the lamp-posts are already covered with them. How many people vote for someone because they recognise their poster?
:confused:
Probably way too many pete. The Big Brother and Most Haunted watchers that actually vote, for a start.
There's a Micky Martin poster at the end of the Ballinlough Road, and some wag drew a beard and moustache on it, and "I AM GAY" on his forehead. It shouldn't be funny, but I couldn't help chortling to myself.
adam
Noel O'Flynn, TD (FF) has helpfully added his mug to a pole at near the end of a hill in blackpool (cork). Only, he (or his lackies) put it at just the right height so that coming down the hill you can no longer see the traffic lights until the last moment.
On the contrary Pete, its pointless to vote for most of the other parties because regardless of who gets in they'll still be implementing the same neo-liberal policies. If you want those policies fair enough but if you want change, then vote for change. Having a stronger more militant opposition in the dail would be a start to building a broader movement on a national level. As Eugene V. Debbs once said, "I'd rather vote for something I want and not get it than vote for something I don't want and get it".Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
On how to pay for stuff, I've gone into that in some depth elsewhere.
glad to see the way the PD's are going here anyway !!!!
I hope the irony of that isn't lost on you!Quote:
Originally Posted by Poor Student
Me too. It's very simple too, abolish VRT and motor tax and raise the price of petrol to cover the tax income. Hey presto, cars with low fuel efficiency pay more and cars with fuel efficiency pay less. Some tweaks to avoid destroying haulage companies may be required but it can't be that complicated.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Not at all. The thought goes through my mind everytime in fact, but sure what else can you do?Quote:
Originally Posted by Schumi
BP, I did note that the Greens would drift towards mainstream as they grew in stature, it doesn't mean their very existence doesn't force parties to be more environmentally minded than they otherwise would be.
Small point but I supposive indicative of the cronyism and wink and a nod nature of the current Goverment.
The erection (ooh err matron) of election posters is strictly controlled pre-election declaration (and effectively banned from most public places until an election is declared I understand?:confused:). I also understand the setting of an election date is solely the perogative of the Taoiseach and should not be disclosed until the President is notified requesting dissolution of the Dail.
I had reason to be driving down the Stillorgan dual carriageway at an ungodly hour this morning, before Bertie had even left Drumcondra to go to the Phoenix Park, and lo and behold, whose elections posters had been put up overnight in prime position, only FF and the PDs.
As I said, small point but indicative of the incumbents general approach to bothersome rules that they think they can get away with.
The election posters for at least one tosser - sorry, 'hopeful' - have been out for a week or two in Cork East. They're supposed to take them down immediately after the election too.
I've already decided to make complaints to the Gardaí and the DoE about every poster that doesn't come down on time this year.
adam
Good idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by dahamsta
The Council are quick to tell us to take GUFC match posters down-but it was only around xmas time the last of the Election posters were coming down.:rolleyes:
The Shinners were out plastering their mug's vacant mug all over Glasnevin Avenue within thirty minutes of the election being called.
Michael Ring will be getting my no.1. The people of Westport will be giving the Dail a Ring!!:D :D :D