Happy Days! :-p

simu

To counteract all the anti-FF threads!

I'm happy enough tbh. I didn't want to see FG in government - they did not convince me at all that they could make a go of running the country. I'd like to see some other party besides the PDs in with FF though...

BoozyBabe

I think I'm the same myself.

I wouldn't go so far as saying Happy Days. I can't say I'm particularly happy about our government, but what opposition did they have?
FG didn't convince me.

But I really do want to see them join forces with ANYBODY but the PD's.

If Mary Harney gets re-elected (which looks likely), but the PD's lose out to say Labour in the next government, does that mean she will no longer be minister for health?

I'm such a novice at this crap, but that's what I'm thinking / hoping it means.

BMH

Yeah, a new cabinet will be appointed by the Bertimiester, which will mainly be Fianna Fáillers and whoever Fianna Fáil makes a pact with.

chump

I'm indifferent that they got in - I really will enjoy seeing how they perform when the pressure is on. They've had it easy when the economy was just rolling along. It's coming to a halt and I look forward to seeing how they perform.

I hope they can step up to the challenge.

Andor

While as a whole, the economy has improved hugely over the past 10 years. There are still massive issues with management and foresight to be seen in the FF government.

I'm not even going to start listing things because I'm so sick of hearing it.

MementoMori

yeah pretty happy too

Would have liked to see the PDs in better shape especially McDowell.

Very Relieved that Sinn Fein didnt do anything like they threatened to. Faith in the populace restored.

The movement away from the left and towards the centre was also pleasing

Huzzah!!

johnnyrotten

Good man Bertie - Well Done!

Scraggs

simu wrote:

To counteract all the anti-FF threads!

I'm happy enough tbh. I didn't want to see FG in government - they did not convince me at all that they could make a go of running the country. I'd like to see some other party besides the PDs in with FF though...

My sentiments exactly.. I'd love to see a FF/GP coalition. [Saying that I do hope McDowell gets the seat, I think he's a great politician]

Drapper

I think its a greet day too!!

mike65

You're all gonna burn in hell!

De people have spoken and thats thats. I still suspect FF/Lab could happen, a lot of pretty talented people on the front bench who must be itching to "get hands on the levers". Rabbitte could find himself defeated in a party vote and a new man at the helm.

Mike.

Jonny Arson

Woohoo happys days!

Further privatisation of our health services
More waste of taxpayers money
Further growth in the divide between rich and poor
More planning without basic infrastructure
More money for public service workers
More Martin Cullen and Dick Roche
and the big one, a vote for the chancers who have done nothing to control our property bubble than is going to kill our economy for the next decade!

This thread should be archived for the 2012 election

Zaph

I'm a bit indifferent about FF really. While I'd like to see Labour or the Greens in government, I'm not a fan of Enda Kenny so I wouldn't be overly keen on them being in government with FG. Maybe if there was a different FG leader, Richard Bruton for example, I'd mind less.

However, it is a day to rejoice that the PDs have been crushed and SF haven't increased their vote. The former was pretty much expected, the latter less so, which makes it all the better.

endplate

Ah I don't really care I'll just keep paying my health insurance and not work in any city. I'll laugh at those who voted FF continue to sit in traffic jams and relax on plastic seats in A&E units. I did vote BTW and I can't believe the result. All I can think is that people care more about their house prices going up and possibly getting a few quid back if stamp duty is changed. Mmm what'll people think if they don't change stamp duty or house prices continue to drop???

Sierra Oscar

So far I am very happy with the results.:)

cm2000

great day!

MikeTheMan

cm2000 wrote:

great day!

Absolutely. Delighted to see FF winning and bertie heading for a 3rd term!!

hullaballoo

Results like today make it difficult to get excited about Irish politics. You have either a Centrist (Republican) party, whose leader, ironically, can't speak either of the two national languages, or you have another centrist party whose minus craic leader makes you feel the way you do when your dad tries to dance.

The only interesting parties, like the Greens or the PDs end up on the periphery because (i) Fine Gael have had a resurgance of popularity and (ii) those who otherwise would have voted for interesting parties had to vote for Fianna Fáil so that FG wouldn't dominate.

Thrill

I also think that its good to see FF and bertie back in the driving seat.Its not that i think they're the greatest thing since the slice pan but rather the best of a bad bunch.

PCros

Go on the Bertie!!!

ainemolloy1

Instead of giving themselves a big slap on the back on this love in of a thread why don't the majority of the posters above debate the issues on the ''anti -FF'' thread.

mike65

What would be the point (not that I'm a FF-er)? "thier" party has won. No need for a chat about it with those with hostile attitudes.

Mike.

spank_inferno

good day, shame most boards posters are having a collective seizure over this election results so far!

Feel for the PD's they may not have enough to be retained as coalition partners,

My prefered coalition would have been FF & the Greens
Giving the greens the environment & transport ministaries.
That could be a pretty effective partnership methinks

hullaballoo

ainemolloy1 wrote:

Instead of giving themselves a big slap on the back on this love in of a thread why don't the majority of the posters above debate the issues on the ''anti -FF'' thread.

Why?

It's perfectly valid to start another thread in a discussion forum that's discussing something different to other threads, is it not?

And in case you missed it, there are those who haven't been e-high-fiving in this thread too.

Ardent

thrill wrote:

I also think that its good to see FF and bertie back in the driving seat.Its not that i think they're the greatest thing since the slice pan but rather the best of a bad bunch.

That's the problem with the Irish - no matter how bad things get, their attitude is always "arrah, it could be worse".

Zebra3

Jonny Arson wrote:

Further privatisation of our health services
More waste of taxpayers money
Further growth in the divide between rich and poor
More planning without basic infrastructure
More money for public service workers
More Martin Cullen and Dick Roche
and the big one, a vote for the chancers who have done nothing to control our property bubble than is going to kill our economy for the next decade!

The people have backed those who support US war criminals.

They have backed those who barely made a whimper when it emerged Irish citizens were being murdered by British agents who operated with impunity.

They have backed the anti-democratic regime which ignored the people's decision in the first Nice Treaty.

They have backed those who are up to their eyeballs in corruption, those cowards who wouldn't stand up to Haughey and those who still admire him despite the fact that he was a crook.

Says it all about the sorry state of our country because who cares at the end of the day once most of us are making more money?

I long for the day when there are decent morals and standards in Irish politics like there is in Sweden. A minister there resigned recently cos she forgot to renew her tv licence.

And compared to the lowlife the people of this country endorse...rolleyes:

Mezcita

My Mum waited seven hours in Vincent's last week to see a doc with my 87 year old granny who had a double fracture of her leg.

Bravo Bertie.

Bravo.

Isn't is gas that the two card board cut outs both topped the poll in their constituencies.
I just heard richard bruton say what a great fellah bertie is!
I mean theres my cynicism of the system-how can you take politicians seriously when they lambast people during a campaign and praise them afterwards?

I'm not unhappy to be honest.
I actually hope Harney gets in and they leave her in health to see if she actually does what she might be capable of there.
Theres so much upheavel needed to do something in the health service and I think she showed signs of having the balls to do it-something lacking in her ff predecessors(they didnt want to upset the unions).2 years was not anything like enough time to tackle that thorn.

I'll give a verdict on it if I live to see 5 years time.

hullaballoo

@Mezcita: Mary Harney's the minister for health.

And having a fractured leg isn't that serious for A&E. In fact, there's generally very little that can be done about a fracture. Whereas, if someone comes in needing stiches, that may need to be seen more promptly.

Awayindahils

endplate wrote:

I'll laugh at those who voted FF continue to sit in traffic jams and relax on plastic seats in A&E units. I did vote BTW and I can't believe the result. All I can think is that people care more about their house prices going up and possibly getting a few quid back if stamp duty is changed.

How on earth are any government going to be able to magically clear the roads of traffic or wave a wand over the health service. Things were starting, albeit slowly, to go places with the health service and I hope that Mary Harney retains her seat. When I went to vote I wanted a government which wasn't going to be a massively divided coalition who couldn't agree on anything. When I voted I knew it was FF and someone or FG and some others. I would like a green/ff personally.

But I am generally quite pleased.

Mezcita

And having a fractured leg isn't that serious for A&E. In fact, there's generally very little that can be done about a fracture. Whereas, if someone comes in needing stiches, that may need to be seen more promptly.[/QUOTE]

Jesus, I don't know where to begin after that one. But I'll have ago!

1. Harney's is Bertie's lap dog (shudder). Bertie's calling the shots.
2. "A fractured leg isn't that serious for A&E". So you're not a doctor then and may well possibly be retarded judging by that comment. What do you suggest for an 87 year old woman with a broken leg, a couple of aspirin and a pat on the back?
3. My point is that with all the money washing around our fantastic economy they still haven't sorted out the health service.
4. Ban me.

Zaph

To be fair to Harney, and that's not something I would do very often, Minister for Health is a poisoned chalice, and she willingly volunteered for the job, demonstrating that she has more balls than most of the politicians in this country. After years of mismanagement and underfunding the health system was in crap long before she ever got near it, and to expect it to miraculously be all right within a couple of years is unrealistic, regardless of who the minister is. The HSE and their predecessors need to take a lot more of the blame for the state of things than they currently do. They're the ones that actually run the hospitals, not the minister.

hullaballoo

Mezcita wrote:

hulla wrote:

And having a fractured leg isn't that serious for A&E. In fact, there's generally very little that can be done about a fracture. Whereas, if someone comes in needing stiches, that may need to be seen more promptly.

Jesus, I don't know where to begin after that one. But I'll have ago!

1. Harney's is Bertie's lap dog (shudder). Bertie's calling the shots.

You do know how a government works, right?

2. "A fractured leg isn't that serious for A&E". So you're not a doctor then and may well possibly be retarded judging by that comment. What do you suggest for an 87 year old woman with a broken leg, a couple of asparin and a pat on the back?

Not that I don't think your granny deserved to have attention, I would just weigh up the balance differently between the urgency of say, having a hole in your head/face/any other part of your body as being more urgent. That said, as you pointed out, I'm not a doctor.

Unfortunately for your argument, and your granny, those who are medical professionals obviously agreed with me on that call in Vincent's. It's hard to blame the government for deciding not to see your granny before people with more life-threatening ailments than a fractured leg.

3. My point is that with all the money washing around our fantastic economy they still haven't sorted out the health service.

You can throw all the money in the world at a problem and still end up with no solution. Sorry to rain on your rant. I'm sure your very upset about the onset of the end of the world now that the same really boring party that's been running the country for the last while has been re-elected.

4. Ban me.

Why take the easy way out?

skearon

simu wrote:

To counteract all the anti-FF threads!

I'm happy enough tbh. I didn't want to see FG in government - they did not convince me at all that they could make a go of running the country. I'd like to see some other party besides the PDs in with FF though...

I totally agree, the people have spoken in 100% democratic way showing the majority are happy with the way FF have run the country for 10 years and will continue now for at least 5 more years ....

ainemolloy1

hullaball&#250 wrote:

Why?

It's perfectly valid to start another thread in a discussion forum that's discussing something different to other threads, is it not?

And in case you missed it, there are those who haven't been e-high-fiving in this thread too.

''e-high-fiving'' - never heard that one before , must use it, it's good.

Of course it is valid, I just think that there is alot of people sticking their heads in the sand over this election. I've been on these boards half the day debating with people and I'm not getting any persuasive arguments why people voted for the FF's, when faced with the hard reality of our economy.

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

ainemolloy1 wrote:

''e-high-fiving'' - never heard that one before , must use it, it's good.

Of course it is valid, I just think that there is alot of people sticking their heads in the sand over this election. I've been on these boards half the day debating with people and I'm not getting any persuasive arguments why people voted for the FF's, when faced with the hard reality of our economy.

Thats just means you are not accepting any arguments you probably don't want to hear.

ainemolloy1

FuzzyWuzzyWazza wrote:

Thats just means you are not accepting any arguments you probably don't want to hear.

Did you read my posts? Please do and get back to me, I voted against this government as they are taking us down the wrong economic path. Most people voted for them as they believe they are taking us down the right path.

Mezcita

hullaball&#250 wrote:

You do know how a government works, right?


Not that I don't think your granny deserved to have attention, I would just weigh up the balance differently between the urgency of say, having a hole in your head/face/any other part of your body as being more urgent. That said, as you pointed out, I'm not a doctor.

Unfortunately for your argument, and your granny, those who are medical professionals obviously agreed with me on that call in Vincent's. It's hard to blame the government for deciding not to see your granny before people with more life-threatening ailments than a fractured leg.


You can throw all the money in the world at a problem and still end up with no solution. Sorry to rain on your rant. I'm sure your very upset about the onset of the end of the world now that the same really boring party that's been running the country for the last while has been re-elected.


Why take the easy way out?

Me arse. Even someone with as limited medical knowledge as you would have to agree that the staff would have wanted to process her as quickly as possible. You are therefore suggesting that the staff we quite happy to let her suffer for a long time. Which is, quite frankly, bolloc.ks.

This situation has been going on for years without the government tackling it properly. This to me is a massive reason for them not to be re-elected.

Should you or any of your family be unfortunate enough to experience this scenario first hand perhaps you might not be left thinking that FF are the mutt's nuts.

Finally I never said anything about it being "the end of the world". Or about them being "really boring". In fact, your last paragraph is all over the place.

Anyway, congrats. Teflon Bertie does it again.

ainemolloy1

FuzzyWuzzyWazza wrote:

Thats just means you are not accepting any arguments you probably don't want to hear.

Please read this thread ''What Does Bertie Have To Do To Lose Popularity???''

or '' FF overall majority: its time to get out of this country''

and then get back to me about arguments people don't want to hear.

Zaph

ainemolloy1 wrote:

Did you read my posts? Please do and get back to me, I voted against this government as they are taking us down the wrong economic path. Most people voted for them as they believe they are taking us down the right path.

I think the point Fuzzy is making is that you believe that the economic policies are wrong, which you believe is a persuasive argument for voting against them, but most people don't appear to have accepted that. In other words they obviously think the country is doing ok, or that they don't believe that the alternative offered could do any better.

ainemolloy1

zaph wrote:

I think the point Fuzzy is making is that you believe that the economic policies are wrong, which you believe is a persuasive argument for voting against them, but most people don't appear to have accepted that. In other words they obviously think the country is doing ok, or that they don't believe that the alternative offered could do any better.

Agreed! But between what you believe is happening and what is actually happening, there can be a big difference. The threads I have been writing today have nothing to do with what I believe is happening, but what as an Economics student I know is happening or is the consensus amongst Economists who are not linked to the building industry and has a likelihood of happening in the near future.

I think the economy is doing well now, but if current policies are continued the economy will seriously nose dive. I have tried to lay some of those arguments out today, and nobody seems to be able to argue against it.

hullaballoo

Mezcita wrote:

Me arse. Even someone with as limited medical knowledge as you would have to agree that the staff would have wanted to process her as quickly as possible. You are therefore suggesting that the staff we quite happy to let her suffer for a long time. Which is, quite frankly, bolloc.ks.

Please don't put words in my mouth.

I said they were prioritising things correctly, not that they didn't want to attend to their patients.

Should you or any of your family be unfortunate enough to experience this scenario first hand perhaps you might not be left thinking that FF are the mutt's nuts.

I don't quite know how you could have gleaned the impression that I am in any way in favour of Fianna Fáil given my posts in this thread. I openly criticise the party and their policies. I was just correcting you on a point of information. Fianna Fáil didn't decide not to see your granny.

Finally I never said anything about it being "the end of the world". Or about them being "really boring". In fact, your last paragraph is all over the place.

I made two points: (i) that the health service problems can't be solved by throwing money at them and (ii) that your reaction is disproportionate to the issue at hand.

The fact that FF have been re-elected doesn't mean that Ireland is going to explode, it just means that mediocre baby-steps are going to be taken in the direction of political banality. At least we can still indulge in the self-abasement we Irish love so much. Our Taoiseach doesn't know what 'taoiseach' means.

Jonathan

While its great to see FF (my 1,2&3) back in, i think its a sad day for the PD's. People just don't seem to appreciate the difficult Departments that they took such as health and justice..

johnnyskeleton

Jonny Arson wrote:

Further privatisation of our health services
More waste of taxpayers money
Further growth in the divide between rich and poor
More planning without basic infrastructure
More money for public service workers
More Martin Cullen and Dick Roche
and the big one, a vote for the chancers who have done nothing to control our property bubble than is going to kill our economy for the next decade!

Who is to say that FG would be any better? At least regards the property bubble, it's very likely that if there is a serious problem in the housing market, FF will step in to keep things afloat. FG would sniff their noses and let people loose their houses.

I agree with the OP, except that it is not a happy day, it's just the same as yesterday.

Jonny Arson

johnnyskeleton wrote:

Who is to say that FG would be any better?

FF have proven after 10 years their capabilities (or lackof) regarding all the mentioned issues. If settling for 2nd best and incompetence floats your boat then what can you do.

johnnyskeleton wrote:

At least regards the property bubble, it's very likely that if there is a serious problem in the housing market, FF will step in to keep things afloat.

Yeah you're probably right there. Fianna Fáil will be bailing out their property developer buddies while young couples will be struggling with 40 year mortgages while being crushed with negative equity around their necks. It should be great craic seeing FF putting plasterers and brickies into jobs to build bridges etc.

johnnyskeleton wrote:

FG would sniff their noses and let people loose their houses.

Ha.... of course FF wont ever do that ..... after their record of desperately not intervening in the property bubble disaster

johnnyskeleton

Jonny Arson wrote:

FF have proven after 10 years their capabilities (or lackof) regarding all the mentioned issues. If settling for 2nd best and incompetence floats your boat then what can you do.

Yeah you're probably right there. Fianna Fáil will be bailing out their property developer buddies while young couples will be struggling with 40 year mortgages while being crushed with negative equity around their necks. It should be great craic seeing FF putting plasterers and brickies into jobs to build bridges etc.

Ha.... of course FF wont ever do that ..... after their record of desperately not intervening in the property bubble disaster

While neither of us can say whether FF or FG are more or less likely to help out people in serious debt, I think FG would be more likely to blame people (or the last government) and do nothing, while at least FF, in my view, will try to keep everything ticking over and avoid too much of a disaster.

Jonny Arson

johnnyskeleton wrote:

While neither of us can say whether FF or FG are more or less likely to help out people in serious debt, I think FG would be more likely to blame people (or the last government) and do nothing, while at least FF, in my view, will try to keep everything ticking over and avoid too much of a disaster.

Thats fair enough. I will blame for FF failing to intervene if the property bubble explodes in our face (23% of our GDP dependent on construction - not good!) but what I do hope is that they adequately sort out the mess and the other economic knocks ons. They have to help the people who really need it and not greedy developers who have contributed massively to this bubble. I'm highly sceptical they will have their priorities in the right place based on current neglect of this situation. That is why I have FAR more confidence in FG/Lab managing the mess. (I Voted GP BTW)

is_that_so

I think it is disappointing that it is panning out the way it has. I have little or no confidence in the present incumbents and expect more of the same from them. I also hope that the government we "deserve" doesn't come back to haunt us.

Mr.Nice Guy

Reading this thread, and the squeals of joy from pro-FF contributors, the phrase "the blind leading the blind" springs to mind.

This was the same sort of thing spouted by the gullible Forest Gumps of this country in the eighties who ensured Charlie Haughey got re-elected, and we all know how that turned out.

A leopard never changes its spots so don't bitch to the rest of us in 12 month's time when Bertie's boyos end up breaking all their promises. You had your chance to make a difference.

I await the inevitable guffawing from those who think a great thing has occurred today. How wrong you are. I'd suggest you have your heads examined but judging by the waiting lists in this country that prospect seems remote...

DaBreno

Mr.Nice Guy wrote:

Reading this thread, and the squeals of joy from pro-FF contributors, the phrase "the blind leading the blind" springs to mind.

This was the same sort of thing spouted by the gullible Forest Gumps of this country in the eighties who ensured Charlie Haughey got re-elected, and we all know how that turned out.

A leopard never changes its spots so don't bitch to the rest of us in 12 month's time when Bertie's boyos end up breaking all their promises. You had your chance to make a difference.

I await the inevitable guffawing from those who think a great thing has occurred today. How wrong you are. I'd suggest you have your heads examined but judging by the waiting lists in this country that prospect seems remote...

Well said that man. Very dissapointed with my fellow Irish. There are very real and drastic problems with this country. However people have out their faith in the current Govt despite a proven record of breaking promises.
Dont any of ye get sick.

Killaqueen!!!

Wow...I don't know much about politics but...wow...

I can't believe my fellow Irish have re-elected FF. People are actually happy at the state of our government?

10 years is too long for any party to stay in government. They had their chance and we all know how that went.

And still...people vote for FF. Why?!?

rainbow kirby

Excuse me while I /facepalm at the Irish electorate.