Fianna Fail Voters

DJDC

I am just wondering what reasons people have for voting FF in the upcoming election.FF will probally gain in excess of 30% of the national vote and be the largest party as a result.

Are people generally happy with the way they have organised housing and urban development and the way they have treated the Irish environment over the last 10 years?Is it family tradition,Berties personality etc that sways your vote.Do you feel the Celtic Tiger is a direct result of FF policies?

Wishbone Ash

Maybe a bit of "better the devil you know"!

Chakar

Yes.

Macker

Chakar wrote:

Yes.

It's people like the one above wiil have me voting anything but FF

Chakar

Macker wrote:

It's people like the one above wiil have me voting anything but FF

It's great you're voting for the PD's then.

Bottle_of_Smoke

DJDC wrote:

I am just wondering what reasons people have for voting FF in the upcoming election.FF will probally gain in excess of 30% of the national vote and be the largest party as a result.

Are people generally happy with the way they have organised housing and urban development and the way they have treated the Irish environment over the last 10 years?

I don't believe the other parties would be any better.

Is it family tradition,Berties personality etc that sways your vote.Do you feel the Celtic Tiger is a direct result of FF policies?

Not just Bertie's, most of their senior members have very likeable personalities. O Dea, Lenihan etc.The only Fine Gael politician I've ever liked is Richard Bruton.

Now this in one sense is rather silly. I mean who cares if I like them it's what they do I should be concerned about. In another sense our Taoiseach represents us on the international stage. I simply do not want people thinking of Enda Kenny when they think of Ireland. Fianna Fail have a modern Ireland air about them. Fine Gael come across as embittered moaners.

However I think they've gone one step too far with getting rid of stamp duty. I just can't believe the only party to agree with me are Sinn Fein. Well also the Greens but they're unfortunately not going to get much power. It may sway my vote but seeing as Fine Gael have the same policy there's really no point giving it to them.

On a side note anyone see Eoghan Harris's article in the Independant today? Pretty good argument for voting for Labour/FF

Our man in Havana

It all harks back to civil war times. They call themselves the republican party ffs! Where Grandad voted for FF, Father votes FF and everyone in the family just blindly follows. Voting for anyone else would mean having to leave the house. It's these votes that they are always gauranteed everytime no matter what. I wonder if they will be sending cars and taxis to nursing homes to get out the FF suuport this time? They may have to.

I am not a FF supporter by the way.

Múinteoir

Bond-007 wrote:

Voting for anyone else would mean having to leave the house.

That argument doesn't wash I'm afraid. The ballot has been private in this country since the early 1800s. No one knows how a person is voting, except what they claim. Mammy and Daddy can't find out who you voted for, in order to drive you from the house at the end of a pitchfork. They can apply pressure certainly, but they can never know how you actually voted, except what you tell them. And the fact is there are thousands in this country who will never openly admit who they vote for.

Boston

In the absence of a convincing argument from other politicians I will continue to vote as the trend dictates. It's very important to exercise your vote.

purple'n'gold

Bond-007 wrote:

It all harks back to civil war times. They call themselves the republican party ffs! Where Grandad voted for FF, Father votes FF and everyone in the family just blindly follows. Voting for anyone else would mean having to leave the house. It's these votes that they are always gauranteed everytime no matter what. I wonder if they will be sending cars and taxis to nursing homes to get out the FF suuport this time? They may have to.

I am not a FF supporter by the way.

From 1932 onwards FF proved themselves to be the catch all and all things to all men party. They got their own supporters into government and semi state jobs in great numbers (this practice was wide spread years ago) and have continued to reap the rewards of this up to the present day.

stepbar

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote:

I don't believe the other parties would be any better.


Now this in one sense is rather silly. I mean who cares if I like them it's what they do I should be concerned about. In another sense our Taoiseach represents us on the international stage. I simply do not want people thinking of Enda Kenny when they think of Ireland. Fianna Fail have a modern Ireland air about them. Fine Gael come across as embittered moaners.

Ah, yes everybody loves "backhander bertie". The rest of the world must be in stitches at our "de de de" bertie. Compared to Bertie, Enda is a class apart.

Voipjunkie

stepbar wrote:

Ah, yes everybody loves "backhander bertie". The rest of the world must be in stitches at our "de de de" bertie. Compared to Bertie, Enda is a class apart.

Personally I won't be voting for FF but I hate the " rest of the world" arguement
Namely because

1 I'm sure the rest of the world give not give a **** about who is Taoiseach kenny or Ahern

2 We should elect our politicians for our own reasons not for the approval of anyone else

Roanmore

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote:

INot just Bertie's, most of their senior members have very likeable personalities. O Dea, Lenihan etc.

O Dea likeable, are you serious. When FF need a hacking job to be done (ie Sunday Independent every week) they roll him out. This guy has no likeable features unless you are a FF supporter.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Voipjunkie wrote:

Personally I won't be voting for FF but I hate the " rest of the world" arguement
Namely because

1 I'm sure the rest of the world give not give a **** about who is Taoiseach kenny or Ahern

2 We should elect our politicians for our own reasons not for the approval of anyone else

They might not give a **** who we choose but they'll still associate the leader of the country with the people. People hate Americans for "voting" George Bush in it's the same sort of logic.

Wishbone Ash

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote:

most of their senior members have very likeable personalities

:eek: I find most of them nauseating especially O'Donoghue, Cowen, Roche and Dempsey.

Dermot Ahern is an exception. He's very measured and statesman-like and ideally suited for his brief.

Martin and Hanafin are quite likeable IMO.

Múinteoir

Boston wrote:

In the absence of a convincing argument from other politicians I will continue to vote as the trend dictates.

As the trend dictates? Not how you own intelligence and reason dictates?

murphaph

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote:

Not just Bertie's, most of their senior members have very likeable personalities. O Dea, Lenihan etc.

Lenihan is one of my TDs and he has failed to answer any emails sent to his official address. Varadkar and Burton on the other hand have at least replied to me. Is this arrogance or incompetence? Either way, Lenihan will not be getting a preference from me.

stepbar

Boston wrote:

In the absence of a convincing argument from other politicians I will continue to vote as the trend dictates. It's very important to exercise your vote.

MMM, may I ask where have you been for the past 10 years?

The_Minister

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote:

They might not give a **** who we choose but they'll still associate the leader of the country with the people. People hate Americans for "voting" George Bush in it's the same sort of logic.

I can't wait till the souvenir companies put Enda on a t-shirt! We'll be living to certain sterotypes if we elect a ginger!*


*j/k

Boston

stepbar wrote:

MMM, may I ask where have you been for the past 10 years?

Hey, convince me that another party will do better and I'll vote for them. Why is a change in government a good idea, what mistakes have been made by FF that other parties wouldn't have made. How will my life be improved by a radical change in the ruling body.

Jonny Arson

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote:

On a side note anyone see Eoghan Harris's article in the Independant today? Pretty good argument for voting for Labour/FF

Are you taking the piss?

Firstly, Harris must be one of the worst journalists writing for the SINDO and that says alot with the low standard of journalists writing crap every other Sunday for them. That article today with all his conspiracy theory bollixolgy must be one of the worst pieces of tripe I've ever had the displeasure of reading. If you think that was a good argument for voting FF/Labour then good luck to ya.

Jonny Arson

Boston wrote:

what mistakes have been made by FF that other parties wouldn't have made.

I think most people could write a thesis in response to this quote!

Boston

Jonny Arson wrote:

I think most people could write a thesis in response to this quote!

Most people? obviously not. Are most people even anti FF? It didn't take me very long to realise that there's a lot of politicians making carriers out of point out the FF mistakes, but still can't come up with any of their own solutions.

Jonny Arson

Boston wrote:

Most people? obviously not. Are most people even anti FF?

According to latest in a long series of polls 63% of people see what incompetent fcukwits FF are.

Boston wrote:

It didn't take me very long to realise that there's a lot of politicians making carriers out of point out the FF mistakes, but still can't come up with any of their own solutions.

Well, it is opposition parties' jobs to point out a government's mistakes and failing. If you want solutions, then you should read some of the other parties manifestos then. Pulling the ''no one is coming up with any solutions, so I'll stick with out current incompetent shower'' line is nothing else but burying your head in the sand.

stepbar

Boston wrote:

Hey, convince me that another party will do better and I'll vote for them. Why is a change in government a good idea, what mistakes have been made by FF that other parties wouldn't have made. How will my life be improved by a radical change in the ruling body.

MMM, I've come to expect this off FF supporters. For me its a case of defending the undefendable. You're living in cloud cuckoo land if you think that this government has been any way competent in the last 10 years. Take a look around you and all the chaos we have on our roads, our health service, our poor infrastructure, 3rd world broadband, all our wealth being pissed away and so on. The tribunals and the broken promises, a taoisach cant give the nation a straight answer about anything including his own finances. In the last 5 years progress has all but stalled, the celtic tiger has gone fat on an artifical property boom which cannot be sustained and we are no better off than we were 5 years ago. We still have the same problems in our health service, the same crappy roads and broadband not worth talking about, FTB's being priced out of the market by greedy developers and speculators. Anybody would be better than these shower of wasters. Anybody. I would love to see Bertie give the nation a promise like Enda has. However Bertie being Bertie I dont think he'd be able to. He too sly for that.

Macy

purplengold wrote:

They got their own supporters into government and semi state jobs in great numbers (this practice was wide spread years ago) and have continued to reap the rewards of this up to the present day.

You obviously don't know the public sector very well if you think this practice has stopped with FF!

Boston

Jonny Arson wrote:

According to latest in a long series of polls 63% of people see what incompetent fcukwits FF are.

Really, when asked in a reacent poll "do you think FF are a bunch of incompetent fcukwits" 63% of people replied yes.

Well, it is opposition parties' jobs to point out a government's mistakes and failing. If you want solutions, then you should read some of the other parties manifestos then. Pulling the ''no one is coming up with any solutions, so I'll stick with out current incompetent shower'' line is nothing else but burying your head in the sand.

Take the thread thats already about Labour and the catholics, heres a party that talks about Gay rights, Abortion right, Taxing the rich, yadda yadda, and then trys to win over the religious ring. Meh, at least with FF you've an idea where you stand.

Anybody would be better than these shower of wasters. Anybody. I would love to see Bertie give the nation a promise like Enda has.

See you're first bit of a rant persumed I cared about any of the national issues you mentioned. That last bit, about anybody being better, is simply untrue. For instance FG plan to buy back Eircom, or at least claim to (bernard burkan (SP?)) directly said that to me. As for enda, can't relate to the man.

Boston

Macy wrote:

You obviously don't know the public sector very well if you think this practice has stopped with FF!

You obviously don't know the public sector if you think this practice still happens.

Jonny Arson

Boston wrote:

Really, when asked in a reacent poll "do you think FF are a bunch of incompetent fcukwits" 63% of people replied yes.

Ah, distracting yourself from the hard hitting fact I see. I'd hardly think someone stating for a poll they would vote for FG or Lab or SF would be an endorsement for FF.

Boston wrote:

Take the thread thats already about Labour and the catholics, heres a party that talks about Gay rights, Abortion right, Taxing the rich, yadda yadda, and then trys to win over the religious ring. Meh, at least with FF you've an idea where you stand.

You can attempt to pigeonhole all chruch goers as if they all think there should be no gay rights etc but we all know most church goers endorse equality in society and don't live by the catholic churches ancient narrow minded bollixology. I congratulate Labour for taking a risk by engaging with church going voters, if the Catholic church could move with the times and take into consideration of some of Labour's social policies with equality and rights at the heart of society, then the church could actually begin to relevant again.

McSandwich

Boston wrote:

Hey, convince me that another party will do better and I'll vote for them. Why is a change in government a good idea, what mistakes have been made by FF that other parties wouldn't have made. How will my life be improved by a radical change in the ruling body.

To me it seems FF+PDs have been in power so long that they've forgotten why they're there. In fact eh, they don't really give a sh|t anymore (quite literally it seems). This says it all for me:

http://www.politics.ie/news_index.php?topic_id=18933

Can anyone tell me how Bertie manages to come out on top, no matter how many dodgy financial dealings involving him and his cronies are uncovered. The opinion poll in today's indo still show him as the country's preferred choice for Taoiseach. People seem to like him even more each time he's found out - makes me mad.:mad:

Boston

Jonny Arson wrote:

we all know most church goers endorse equality in society and don't live by the catholic churches ancient narrow minded bollixology.

Do we? I disagree.

I congratulate Labour for taking a risk by engaging with church going voters, if the Catholic church could move with the times and take into consideration of some of Labour's social policies with equality and rights at the heart of society, then the church could actually begin to relevant again.

What risk? Tell the people anything, once you get into power.

Boston

McSandwich wrote:

Can anyone tell me how Bertie manages to come out on top, no matter how many dodgy financial dealings involving him and his cronies are uncovered. The opinion poll in today's indo still show him as the country's preferred choice for Taoiseach. People seem to like him even more each time he's found out - makes me mad.:mad:

Meh, found out what, Things which are over sold, stop being believable.

McSandwich

Boston wrote:

Meh, found out what, Things which are over sold, stop being believable.

Much the same was said about Haughey. He taught young Bertie well, the 'most skilful, most devious, most cunning of them all' I believe he said (refering to Bertie)- I wonder what he meant? :rolleyes:

stepbar

Boston wrote:

See you're first bit of a rant persumed I cared about any of the national issues you mentioned. That last bit, about anybody being better, is simply untrue. For instance FG plan to buy back Eircom, or at least claim to (bernard burkan (SP?)) directly said that to me. As for enda, can't relate to the man.

Yes, the mighty Eircom. Sold by FF and banted around for all to make a few quid out of. Maybe we should have bought it back. Eircom has as much backbone as FF has at the moment. Slightly more than the "2% party" however. You say you're not concerned about the national issues I've mentioned above. What other issues are there? I think the health of our people is a fairly important issue TBH. Are you not concerned about house prices? O wait, why would you? Probably have a house already. Probably a few Section 23's as well. Bully for you. Its a very real issue for a lot of people.

Of course you dont care because you cant defend the pityful effort FF has made to tackling these issues. How could anyone defend the undefendable?

Boston

stepbar wrote:

Yes, the mighty Eircom. Sold by FF and banted around for all to make a few quid out of. Maybe we should have bought it back.

That would be an incredible bad invested, and more politically motivated then motivated out of common sense.

Eircom has as much backbone as FF has at the moment. Slightly more than the "2% party" however. You say you're not concerned about the national issues I've mentioned above. What other issues are there? I think the health of our people is a fairly important issue TBH. Are you not concerned about house prices? O wait, why would you? Probably have a house already. Probably a few Section 23's as well. Bully for you. Its a very real issue for a lot of people.

So let me get this straight, I should vote based on what other people care about? how does that make sense. Also I fail to see how any other party plan to step in and solve things like house pricing, road congession, health care.

Of course you dont care because you cant defend the pityful effort FF has made to tackling these issues. How could anyone defend the undefendable?

The opposition aren't making their case.

J.R.HARTLEY

DJDC wrote:

I am just wondering what reasons people have for voting FF in the upcoming election.FF will probally gain in excess of 30% of the national vote and be the largest party as a result.

in fairness it is a secret ballott people aren't meant to have to divulge their preferences

McSandwich

Boston wrote:

So let me get this straight, I should vote based on what other people care about? how does that make sense. Also I fail to see how any other party plan to step in and solve things like house pricing, road congession, health care.

The opposition aren't making their case.

Are you saying that you're supporting FF simply because they're the best of a bad lot?

The issues described here (watch the video too) lead me to believe that the current lot have hit rock bottom and any alternative would be an improvement: http://www.politics.ie/news_index.php?topic_id=18933

oscarBravo

stepbar wrote:

Are you not concerned about house prices? O wait, why would you? Probably have a house already. Probably a few Section 23's as well.

Tone down the personal rhetoric please, stepbar.

Boston, you wouldn't be trolling just a teeny weeny bit, would you?

Jackz

I think Boston is just saying something similar to what I have said on other threads, in order for people to be convinced its time for a change;

- stop just stating that things are "terrible" and its the fault of FF/PD government.

- start explaining the ways your fantastic been in opposition for 10 years coalition will do things better.

If supporters of opposition parties are confident that their policies are better than those of FF debate the issues and not just Bertie.

Sully

Just after reading the thread, and I do think Boston is trolling. Arguing to death for FF, and refuses point blank to even consider any alternative. Seems to pick and choose what issues to discuss (sidebars earlier post was completely missed, and was very well put together) and will shoot down any arguments beating him of the table.

Anyway, id like to express my view. In the last general election my interest in politics was pretty nill. I didn't have a vote then either, but I took some bit of an observation.

I had the view that neither of the alternatives to FF could change things. FF were making excellent promises (some of which affected me) and I thought they were the party who were getting their point across and offering some excellent future changes. Didn't exactly think they were the bees knees, but better then any of the other crowd at least.

They got into government never the less, and it now comes election time again. Iv been thinking back to those promises made by FF and the fact that 90% of the time they have failed to stick to their promises and the only thing that seems to have improved under their terms in office is our economy. That's great, but I don't think we should keep a government in just because of that and let the rest of the place go to wreck and ruin. In fact, the only person in FF id slightly appreciate is Martin Cullen. Why? Because for a long time (and still is) Waterford has been a forgotten city. We have been ignored when it comes to funding and development. Martin Cullen has been very helpful for Waterford, and has effectively helped put Waterford back on the map.

Our roads are in a poor enough state and slowly changes are being made. To slow for my liking. Road deaths are a scary fact of life in Ireland, with several daily, and I do believe that FF have failed to properly act in addressing the issue.

The biggest issue of all is our health service, which is a disaster - not waiting to happen, its already happened. Harney is pretty much letting the nurses run riot and refuse to do their jobs. VHI are taking the leader board in health insurance and all other parties have to pay the piper - literally. Forcing competition, out of our market. So, I think Harney has just stood by and let things get even worse. Out I say.

Education has come a long way, but still needs a lot of improvement. Placing Hanafin in for Education was scary - I do believe she doesn't care about anything but whats close to her. All around Ireland schools need funding and if they are lucky to get it - it takes ages for them to actually get them developed. Some say this is the local councils fault. Well, then I think that she should be applying pressure and getting them to get their act together. Primary and Secondary schools are over-crowded and are in prefabs which all grant money is being wasted on, all because the government have failed to secure them funding or even a contractor.

Telecommunications is a right disaster. Eircom rule the whole area of telecommunications and any bit of competition to get us away from third-world telecommunications is bet away by Eircom with a big stick. The government sits back and looks at the mess it caused, and couldn't be bothered to clean it up.

There are so many areas that the current government while in term have failed to act on, or radically improve, as promised many times. Bertie never bothered me that much, amused me a lot, but seeing the whole issue surrounding his financial (sorry, not his but his ex-wife's) affairs which has rapidly gone from bad to worse without any proper explanation (beside the odd tear and sob story to win back those who were considering not voting him again) - iv lost pretty much all faith in him as a leader and cant trust him. He is in a position and he needs to clarify any issues surrounding him - if not for his political career, but for those who have faith and trust in him and keep voting for him and his "team".

Don't get me wrong, the finger is pointed directly at the PDs as well. I respected Minister McDowell until he decided to join forces with Berty and shut up. He was always one who spoke his mind, but not since joining FF. Also, his latest publicity stunt where he got "new information" and was considering "pulling out" of government - which was complete lies and he made a fool of himself and the people who believed he would.

So looking at all the problems we currently have, all the empty promises, the fact that FF have had a chance to fix things for long enough and have failed - I think its time we say "Thanks, but no thanks" to FF and look at the alternative who are doing their level best and making promises which may affect their political career in times to come. I don't think we will see Enda made a laughing stock across Europe. You cant compare his image to George W. Bush, as its not any bit a fair comparison. One is the leader of a small country called Ireland, the other is the leader of a huge and powerful country called America. He has acted like a dumb puppet and has made choices which effectively killed many American normal people, and innocent foreign victims. I cant see Enda or Pat Rabbit heading anywhere near that direction. Nor Berty.

The current government has failed, fact. They have failed before, and have promised reforms. That reform has failed. Again and again. Why the hell should we vote in a government which clearly can not do what they have promissed to do? When the leader is up in front of a tribunal for his financial affairs and acts as if its none of our business - when it actually is.

Why so, should we vote in for an alternative who might not sound the best but are offering a hell of a lot more then FF are, and are doing a lot better with their campaigning and putting their political career on the line? Why should we vote in someone who might actually make a difference to this country? Why shouldn't we give a new government a try?? I fail to see why people can agree that FF have done poorly, but are to scared to try an alternative.

McSandwich

Jackz wrote:

I think Boston is just saying something similar to what I have said on other threads, in order for people to be convinced its time for a change;

- stop just stating that things are "terrible" and its the fault of FF/PD government.

I gave an example, water supplies contaminated with sh*t (http://www.politics.ie/news_index.php?topic_id=18933). It disgusts me when I read about similar conditions in 'third world' countries, but it's just not acceptable in a supposedly 'rich' country like ours.

- start explaining the ways your fantastic been in opposition for 10 years coalition will do things better.

I agree, the opposition have been rubbish for most of the last 10 years, but FF+PD were in Government. This was 10 years during which the economy has never been better, yet still there's a lot 'more to do' even after all this time. The public service inefficiencies which were apparent 10 years ago are still there, what has been done, have they even started to implement change? Not that I can see..

If supporters of opposition parties are confident that their policies are better than those of FF debate the issues and not just Bertie.

I am not a supporter of any party in particular. I voted for FF last time round as I thought at the time that they did a good job between 97 - 02, against my expectations. At present most parties seem to have reached a consensus as far as policies are concerned (with the exception of SF - but I can't even find their manifesto). A FG/ Labour/ Green alternative are unlikely to implement policies too far removed from what FF/ PD might - with the exception of the Green influence on environmental policy, which would be a good thing. The main difference would be a change in personnel and a fresh approach bringing with it new ideas, which after 10 years is a healthy thing in any democracy. Much the same situation exists in Britain, where Blair and Labour are starting to look tired after so long in power.

I expect you to retort by telling me that the opposition (to FF/ PD) have no experience, but that's just the nature of politics. How many of the current cabinet are experts in their areas? Oh, and don't get me started about the whole corruption thing..

Boston

oscarBravo wrote:

Boston, you wouldn't be trolling just a teeny weeny bit, would you?

I'm genuinely going to vote for no change in government. In the absence of a convincing argument as to how a new government will benefit me, I see no reason to take a risk. Some people here are of the mind "anything but FF", I'm not of that mind set. I was raised on the horror stories of the last time FG/Labour where in power, I see letting them run the country as a major risk.

People like StepBar and Scully are so blinded by there hatred of FF that they can see why anyone might vote that way, but still I don't think there's any doubt that they'll be the biggest party in the dail after the next election, so I'm not alone. I simply don't trust Labour and FG has never represented people of my socio-economic back ground. I think the Greens would rip the country apart and send us back into the stone age if they ever got into power and I think Sinn Fein should never be in government.

Now you may disagree with the above, but is it what I believe and it's logical for anyone believing the above to vote FF over any other party.

Scully, you make a lot of accurate points, but I'm not see where you're drawing parallels with other parties and how they would have acted differently.

oscarBravo

Sully wrote:

Just after reading the thread, and I do think Boston is trolling.

Please read the charter. Accusing people (especially Boston) of trolling is my job.

Sully

Right. It was only a comment on what you had said, im not trying to do your job or anything. Its an opinion.

Ill take a look at the charter, just to save myself. Cheers

InFront

Boston wrote:

I was raised on the horror stories of the last time FG/Labour where in power, I see letting them run the country as a major risk.

You mean the first budget surplus in 30 years? Free third level education? Lowering taxes?

Macker

Chakar wrote:

It's great you're voting for the PD's then.

PD's don't have the bottle to run a candidate in my constituency

Sully

Boston wrote:

I'm genuinely going to vote for no change in government. In the absence of a convincing argument as to how a new government will benefit me, I see no reason to take a risk. Some people here are of the mind "anything but FF", I'm not of that mind set. I was raised on the horror stories of the last time FG/Labour where in power, I see letting them run the country as a major risk.

People like StepBar and Scully are so blinded by there hatred of FF that they can see why anyone might vote that way, but still I don't think there's any doubt that they'll be the biggest party in the dail after the next election, so I'm not alone. I simply don't trust Labour and FG has never represented people of my socio-economic back ground. I think the Greens would rip the country apart and send us back into the stone age if they ever got into power and I think Sinn Fein should never be in government.

Times change. FF also changed - in many ways. Im not going to hold stuff that happened many years ago against them or any other party.

However, I will hold what has (or has not) happened (in recent years) against FF this time around. I do personaly feel (and I didnt in the last election) that FF needs to leave government. They did NOT stick to the promises set out in the last election. The countrys only real sucess is the economy. A lot is needed to be done, and FF have not done "the next steps" while in government the last two terms. This is why I am of the conclusion that we need another government. Its time for a change, and I just dont think FF should be part of that change - this time around at least anyway.

I am not "anything but FF" nor am I completely anti-FF. I would never in my lifetime vote in Sinn Fein. NEVER. I would give Greens my vote, but not (at least for now) first preference. I would not like to see Greens in government by themselves, and would only appreciate them in with a responsible government (im sure FF could handle them fine. Dunno about the PDs tho). I have seen green party members actions in Waterford, and id hate to see what he does here while representing his party, have a global affect. As for other parties, I dont have time for them.

I think FG & Labour are the better alternatives out there at the moment. Im sorry that you dont like the fact I dont want to see FF in again - its not out of hatred. They had a chance in government and they blew it. Id like to see someone else step in, take over, and see how they get on. You can be damn sure if they slip up ill hit hard against their mistakes.

Now you may disagree with the above, but is it what I believe and it's logical for anyone believing the above to vote FF over any other party.

Scully, you make a lot of accurate points, but I'm not see where you're drawing parallels with other parties and how they would have acted differently.

Id appreciate if you didnt decide to change my username. Its what it is, and id appreciate if you didnt change it to something else. (Tho, on a side note, your not the only one to make that change :P)

I made points as to FF have failed, and why I think its time for them to leave. Iv looked at the other alternatives, and id approve a FG / Labour collation. Wouldnt like PDs in government again, and if FF do get voted back in - I do hope they wont bring them in with them.

I wont say "Well when FG were in government years upon years ago, they messed it up. Oh its a tale that was told to me by my father, who was told by his father before him, and his father before him and his....". I wont apply the same attitude to FF or anyother party - apart from Sinn Fein, who iv never trusted and still dont to this day. For someone to use that against any government, I dont think they deserve a vote. Its time to move on, we all make mistakes and we all will change. Other partys have had plenty of time to get their act together and make a real go at a government. Its time to let them in.

McSandwich

Boston wrote:

I'm genuinely going to vote for no change in government. In the absence of a convincing argument as to how a new government will benefit me, I see no reason to take a risk. Some people here are of the mind "anything but FF", I'm not of that mind set. I was raised on the horror stories of the last time FG/Labour where in power, I see letting them run the country as a major risk.

If you don't mind me asking, what are the issues which affect you?

Do you really not consider the issues affecting other individuals/ groups, or the country as a whole when you vote?

Care to share some of your horror stories?

This is not an attack on you for choosing FF btw, I'm just trying to understand why FF are the only party who can 'do it' for you - despite everything they haven't done during the past 10 years.

Boston

InFront wrote:

You mean the first budget surplus in 30 years? Free third level education? Lowering taxes?

Massive unemployment and political instability.

Sully, The thing is, I'm not here to try and convince you to vote FF, you want to hold there mistakes against them grand. But respect that I can have perfectly valid reasons to vote for them.

Boston

McSandwich wrote:

If you don't mind me asking, what are the issues which affect you?

Do you really not consider the issues affecting other individuals/ groups, or the country as a whole when you vote?

Care to share some of your horror stories?

Do you give precedence to issues large affecting others over those directly affecting yourself? I'm not that humanitarian.

You asked what does "FF" do for me. Think of it this way, I don't want a change in government, and I, personally, will be not be better off with another political party in charge.

Horror stories, go look up your history. If the coalition governments where so great, why where they voted out again and again after just one term.

brianthebard

Boston wrote:

Massive unemployment and political instability.

A leftover from the 80s FF governments and Haughey perhaps?