The 2016 GE thread

[Macy]

I’ve no issue with paying water charges – I have an issue with why they were introduced ( paying off unsecured bond-holders ) but they are necessary in the long term. I have no objection to SD’s putting forward this argument especially in the manner he does. You won't get that from a FF/FG manifesto thats for sure ( at least you didn't in the past ).

It's not really about water. It's about the contradiction of saying getting rid of that, whilst opposing the cutting of other charges on the basis of it not maintain the widening of the tax base. Water charges were part of that widening of the tax base, whether you or he or the Social Democrats want to accept that or not.

[Real ale Madrid]

It's not really about water. It's about the contradiction of saying getting rid of that, whilst opposing the cutting of other charges on the basis of it not maintain the widening of the tax base. Water charges were part of that widening of the tax base, whether you or he or the Social Democrats want to accept that or not.

Fair enough - I couldn't disagree more really - I like his financial matter of fact approach - he treats each item on its own merits and if we are not getting bang for our tax buck - then he will say so.

[bennocelt]

Didn't Donnelly say he didn't know if he had paid the water charges when he was asked at the launch of the party? I found that a bit strange, lol! What kind of answer was that. (not criticising him or anything......dont know enough about his party)

[IsMiseSean]

I think FG voters are very happy with the performance of their government. They pretty much got what they voted (bar a couple of social issues that Labour managed to slide past them). Their numbers will stay fairly similar

Fine Gael's number of TDs will drop but I don't think by a huge amount unfortunately. I'm not sure of the situation in other constituencies but in Galway I see it like this,

In Galway West they'll probably hold on to their two seats but at the expense of a Labour seat. I can't see all 3 gov't TDs being re-elected. My guess would be 2 FG, 1 FF, 1 SF & 1 Ind.

In Galway East they'll more than likely lose a seat since it's now only a 3 seater. Labour won't win a seat. Lorraine Higgins is their candidate, her transfers could make a difference though. My guess 1 FG, 1 FF & 1 Ind.

[culloty82]

Proof that social media is no substitute for shoe leather:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...nd-379899.html

[SocStudent]

I think FF might surprise everyone, a lot of mainstream people I talk to seem quite prepared to forgive.

I think the independent and FF vote may be the surprise this election.

[dahamsta]

Idiots. Mainstream idiots.

[NeverFeltBetter]

If my father is any indication, there are people out there who will happily give Fine Gael a #1 preference while slinging abuse towards Labour for their time in government.

[SocStudent]

Many seem reluctant to vote outside of a party. If we don't change our voting practices history will continue to be repeated. Really hope people do not but the stability over chaos argument.

[Macy]

Most independents are out of the party system, and only left either on a specific issue or for past seat preservation or some selection issue. And most will be happy to prop up a Government in return for favours. I don't see the rise of the independent as the great white hope of democracy in Ireland.

[Mr A]

I thought this was quite funny: https://twitter.com/Tupp_Ed/status/696828558510002176

"I chose “No opinion” on all the political issue questions for Dublin Rathdown and matched strongly with Shane Ross. "

[osarusan]

Most independents are out of the party system, and only left either on a specific issue or for past seat preservation or some selection issue. And most will be happy to prop up a Government in return for favours. I don't see the rise of the independent as the great white hope of democracy in Ireland.

Seconded. In many cases they're the greatest prostitutes of all - support practically anything at national level to get what they need at local level.

[dahamsta]

Many seem reluctant to vote outside of a party. If we don't change our voting practices history will continue to be repeated. Really hope people do not but the stability over chaos argument.

I refuse to vote for a FF candidate, because the party they're a member of, and critically the party they'll vote with, destroyed this country.

I refuse to vote for a FG candidate because the party they're a member of, the party they'll vote with, made us pay for FF's failures, not the investors that fed it. And they did it because they were told to, not because they chose to.

I'm not even going to explain why I won't vote for a Labour candidate. Anyone that's still involved in Labour should be ashamed of themselves.

It doesn't leave me with a whole lot, but yes, I'll still go out and vote, because I'd be worse than them if I didn't. But no, I won't vote for anyone from those parties. Screw them, if they want to align themselves with a bunch of turncoats, cowards, idiots and pigs, that's their lookout.

[dahamsta]

Here's what I want to know: What would it actually take for the idiots in Tipp to not vote for Lowry? Do we need a carrot or a stick?

I say we move all the Lowry voters into Leitrim, and fence it off.

[nigel-harps1954]

I refuse to vote for a FF candidate, because the party they're a member of, and critically the party they'll vote with, destroyed this country.

I refuse to vote for a FG candidate because the party they're a member of, the party they'll vote with, made us pay for FF's failures, not the investors that fed it. And they did it because they were told to, not because they chose to.

I'm not even going to explain why I won't vote for a Labour candidate. Anyone that's still involved in Labour should be ashamed of themselves.

It doesn't leave me with a whole lot, but yes, I'll still go out and vote, because I'd be worse than them if I didn't. But no, I won't vote for anyone from those parties. Screw them, if they want to align themselves with a bunch of turncoats, cowards, idiots and pigs, that's their lookout.

Very much my own opinion on the matter too. I'd also lump SF in there too. Something about them in power simply terrifies me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'm just terribly uneasy about it.
I won't let it sway my opinions completely however.
It helps somewhat for me, coming into a constituency that's new to me for the first time since moving to Carlow, that I don't know the candidates, and I can make a properly balanced decision based on whatever jargan or spin that impresses me the most.

One thing I know for sure, this Bobby Aylward fella is one smug looking b&stard in his posters. One of those faces that you'd just love to punch. It helps he's part of FF.

[Mr A]

FF, FG and Labour all ran in the last election on the broad basis that the deal agreed by the previous government with the Troika would be implemented and it can certainly be argued that on an overall basis the outgoing government delivered and got the country back on its feet having been to the brink of meltdown. On the other hand they consistently fecked up various things- Irish Water, cack handed handling of justice etc. Some of their biggest feck-ups were over promising in the campaign- but I suspect any party who doesn't will be slaughtered. For example the idea of burning the bondholders seems to have been a ship that had already sailed by the time they got in. They followed a largely FG agenda- and rightly so since they had far more seats. I find it bizarre in this country that we seem to expect similar or even more influence from the smaller party than the larger. I think history will be kinder to them than possibly the electorate will be- especially in Labour's case.

[Eminence Grise]

Here's what I want to know: What would it actually take for the idiots in Tipp to not vote for Lowry?

Quite probably an extiction level event. Asteroid? Comet? Compulsory sterilisation of all Tipp males?

I say we move all the Lowry voters into Leitrim, and fence it off.

As a Rossie I'd nearly welcome the asteroid rather than have that on the old homestead's border!!

[joey B]

I'm having a real tough time deciding who to vote for because in all honesty the choices are so underwhelming,the biggest issue in this election for me should be our health service and who will have the best policies to fix what is essentially a 3rd world service,but in all honesty I have seen nothing from anybody that would fill me with confidence in regards to fixing or at least improving it.

[Dodge]

I'm having a real tough time deciding who to vote for because in all honesty the choices are so underwhelming,the biggest issue in this election for me should be our health service and who will have the best policies to fix what is essentially a 3rd world service,but in all honesty I have seen nothing from anybody that would fill me with confidence in regards to fixing or at least improving it.

You need to avoid parties promising tax cuts so.

[culloty82]

Danny Healy-Rae joins his brother on the Kerry ballot - they could be a bigger "party" than Renua once the dust settles!