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Drogheda Local Elections

  • 13-05-2009 3:33pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 908 ✭✭✭


    I've just been reading this weeks Drogheda Independent which has the rundown on all the candidates for the local elections on both sides of town. I'm living on the North side myself and I'm really struggling to find someone even half decent or likeable out of the lot of them. I've come across a few of them over the last few years and they range from complete idiots (few of those) to completely insane - well not quite! < If I didn't know him I'd probably vote for him! :pac: As for the local Soldiers of Destiny, great pair of lads. :rolleyes:


    Just wondering what you all think - open to people on both sides of town.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35 Skcornnelg


    Well my vote goes to Yinka Dixon, mainly for putting her person most admired as "the lollipop lady" as opposed to all the other Nelson Mandela/Popular American politican cliché answers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,120 ✭✭✭andrew1977


    I have to agree on the candidates for Drogheda, in the past i always had a couple of candidates whom i would vote for , this time there is nobody i have any interest in voting for,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,430 ✭✭✭positron


    I am a tolerant type of person, but I am starting to get sick of all leaflets coming in the door, and all those posters on lampposts by the road. Anyone know when will they take them all down? :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    I think they are required to remove all election posters within 2 weeks of polling day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 908 ✭✭✭Whiskey Devil


    We received a leaflet in our door yesterday from Tommy Byrne (Fianna Fáil candidate of the other side of town). Why? :confused:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    Ah good aul Tommy Byrne, pockets laden down with enthusiasm, head empty as a nudist beach in Donegal in December!!

    One of my political heroes, a certain Shanks Godfrey, canvassed my house once. I asked him what his thoughts were on lowering the age for presidential candidates and he just looked at me and said..."You know the lights on the Viaduct? I put them there!"

    A political sage!! An Aristotle of our time.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭SKYDOG


    Thanks Garrincha for the laugh!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 908 ✭✭✭Whiskey Devil



    One of my political heroes, a certain Shanks Godfrey, canvassed my house once. I asked him what his thoughts were on lowering the age for presidential candidates and he just looked at me and said..."You know the lights on the Viaduct? I put them there!"

    Classic. :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 51 ✭✭Pink16


    Skcornnelg wrote: »
    Well my vote goes to Yinka Dixon, mainly for putting her person most admired as "the lollipop lady" as opposed to all the other Nelson Mandela/Popular American politican cliché answers.


    But which Lollipop lady does she admire? Or is it just lollipop ladies in general? And what about lollipop men?????????????
    I think she needs to clarify this.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 siralansapprent


    Hi, well i myself have been looking at the papers and deciding who and why and really i think well could it not be any worse then whats in there now??
    So im thinkin why not vote for someone new and young at least give them a shot at it, it couldnt be any more worse then it is! Callan will get my vote and Carroll seems good as well......


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    So im thinkin why not vote for someone new and young at least give them a shot at it, it couldnt be any more worse then it is! Callan will get my vote and Carroll seems good as well......
    :confused:

    Hmm. Aren't they representing FF & FG who always get in and never change anything? They may have youth and predictably garish accountant haircuts on their side. Indeed, they may even be promising playgrounds to hoover up the young parent vote. However they seem to me like men dangling refresher bars out the window of their hi-aces at the kiddies coming home from school. Get in go on!! Sure I've sweeties here and everything!!! Before you know it the sweeties are gone and you're left on the street holding nothing but an empty wrapper in your hand. They are cut from the same cloth (Callan looks like Carroll, and Carroll looks like Callan).

    I suggest voting for Labour and for Yinka Dixon. Hows about a little diversity in local politics for a change?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Have been out pounding the pavements for the last few weeks. Have found folk to be very disillusioned with politics and the state of affairs generally. Not suprising, you might say, given that car-crash economics and woeful social policies implemented over recent years has left us in the S**T.

    People are genuinely worried over the state of the economy etc, but have you ever taken a good look around some of the really deprived areas in our town? If you were landed in one of these places, then you really would have cause for concern. And yet, I found people in these areas more keen to engage than your more affluent dweller.

    Irish people seem to think that once they have exercised their democratic right then there ends their responsibilities. NO! If you want real change, then you need to get up from in front of Sky Sports and MAKE that change. Join a party and make change happen from within. Believe it or not, there are one or two parties who are open to change, open to new ideas, new blood, you can make a difference.....

    Finally, voting for folk because they look the right package is just purile. These Tory boys are just in it for the career and for the business contacts that they will make- surely the penny has dropped with people out there?Stop sleepwalking with tradition and.......


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 siralansapprent


    Its my understanding that these guys are brave enough to put themselves forward in this current economic climate, at the minute they have nothing to offer, they are just out there going for it and i respect that.......yes im really going to vote for a local councilor who has voted to buy an 8m car park (with my taxes) and leave it lying there for years unattended without doing anything on it, yes am i going to vote for a local government who cant even keep a hospital in a major town, yes am i going to vote for a local councilor who has voted to spend millions on West street and then a year later dig it all up again spend another couple of million to put 20 car spaces into it!
    Come on, at least these guy are educated....is there a degree between any of local councilors there at the minute? If we vote for young educated people then at least we are portraying a change for this town which is what it needs, these fat cats on the council in my eyes have done nothing to improve Drogheda in any way, shape or form....thats traditional isnt it?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Plainly, these guys are careerists, caerer politicians who trade off the brand name of FF/FG. It will be another 20 years of the same old, same old if these people get in, I can assure you. Look at the record of failed social and economic policies, a decade of tribunals, investigations,etc etc. I am truely amazed that anyone would want to vote for this mob...

    Educated? Don't mean to be rude, but what exactly do we mean by "educated"? They have a business degree, perhaps? That's not what i will call educated and I have a business degree myself! What we need is people with a real vision for a better world for all, not self-interests with a narrow world-view nutured in the murky world of local gld-handed politics.

    It's time for a real change, a real shift in consciousness that will last, but I fear that this will not happen. Still, I don't intend to sit on the fence any longer. See you on the hustings!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    Plainly, these guys are careerists, caerer politicians who trade off the brand name of FF/FG. It will be another 20 years of the same old, same old if these people get in, I can assure you. Look at the record of failed social and economic policies, a decade of tribunals, investigations,etc etc. I am truely amazed that anyone would want to vote for this mob...

    Educated? Don't mean to be rude, but what exactly do we mean by "educated"? They have a business degree, perhaps? That's not what i will call educated and I have a business degree myself! What we need is people with a real vision for a better world for all, not self-interests with a narrow world-view nutured in the murky world of local gld-handed politics.

    It's time for a real change, a real shift in consciousness that will last, but I fear that this will not happen. Still, I don't intend to sit on the fence any longer. See you on the hustings!

    Hear hear!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,694 ✭✭✭Dingatron


    +1

    I'll be voting. Not sure for who yet, but I know who I won't be voting for that's for sure! Think a few people will get a rude awakening this time round.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,140 ✭✭✭gipi


    I was slightly surprised (and delighted) to see that one of the local council candidates actually called to my door himself this afternoon - up to now I've either had supporters calling or had the leaflet just shoved in the door. At least the guy who called today was willing to take whatever might have been thrown at him (whether it be withering looks or rotten eggs....I threw neither, I hasten to add!!).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    Aren't elections just great?
    1. Thread on Local Elections opens.
    2. First time posters flock to it.
    3. Mud-slinging begins.

    Quick question appleb, is that your real name?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    Hi appleb. I guess she could get into trouble over that one!

    It should be followed up as a matter of extreme urgency!!!

    And let's not forget--let's not forget, Dude--that keeping wildlife...uh...an amphibious rodent... for, uh, domestic, you know, within the city limits... That ain't legal either.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Things hottin up nicely out there, and I'm not just talking about the sun on SUN.

    This has the makings of a decent blog.

    Has anyone seen FF soldiers on the streets? Conspicuous by their absence, me thinks. Not surprising, seen as there's more bad vibes than a heavy-metal concert out there...... Shinners and LAB making belated appearances. FF & FG relying on PAID letterboxstuffers and American-style tele-canvass. Uummm....

    There has been a lot of poster defacing/removing/destroying. Whatever about the awfulness of some of these, it is anti-democratic to start messin with them. I am aware that some Blueshirt up in 'Feckin went to town on the pole stuff there. Clearly, though, the big guys have an unfair advantage in terms of being able to afford large election bill-boards, new ads,etc. That's not really very democratic, is it? Your thoughts, folks?

    Keep the fun goin....

    PS I will be publishin my election guide here soon for all ye baffled folk on this thread- Not to be missed!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    Poor Frank Gallagher is being defaced. Crazy eyes, Dracula teeth, you name it. Guess that is the price you pay for putting up your posters late...

    I read that a poster of Declan Ganley was defaced in Eyre Square last week. A Hitler moustache subtlely added, perhaps with his 'Blue Card' immigration policy in mind. It was swiftly removed however, by some of his brownshi...activists.

    I have only seen Labour and the Greens pounding the pavements. Surprised by the lack of Fine Gael, but maybe I've just been (un)lucky not to see any of their suited right of centre goons.

    Shinners also have been quiet. Maybe they have no bank notes left?

    FF very quiet too. Cowen is talking of a late counter attack surge. Probably will happen too. Same old lobotomised FFers will vote them in again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 377 ✭✭garrincha62


    Poor Shanks Godfrey must be suffering from penis envy. Drogheda's own political mandarin only has some old diamond shaped VOTE GODFREY NO.1 posters and a couple of heavily photoshoped images of the guru in more thick-haired days.

    The man, undoubtedly a sage, is widely known to pore over the great political questions of our time. Vellum scrolls lay half read on the floor of his study, discarded in disgust as Shanks pens devastating repostes with his quill. Early on Sundays he can be seen walking barefoot (in homage to his political hero, Socrates) along the streets, eager to engage in political debate. He will approach mere citizens and hit them with lengthly spiels on the merits of the free market and how Drogheda can be compared to the decadence of 1920s Berlin.

    Those of us lucky enough to catch Frank performing imaginary debates between John Stuart Mill and Plato will never forget them. As we followed him, like disciples must have followed Jesus, at a respectful distance but in ear shot nonetheless, an elderly woman approached him, cutting him off in mid-sentence. She was worried about the lack of bingo facilities for the elderly and was troubled by how the young people of today have no respect. Shanks, pulling a mobile from his toga, made a few phone calls. The old woman left. He then continued apace in the guise of Hobbes as if nothing had happened.

    Thanks to him, bingo is now one of the mainstays in The Widow Murphys. The declining standards among young people has proved a more difficult equation. However, Shanks now holds knowledge sessions where young children can learn about the issues of the future when he holds court at Little Wembly on Saturday Afternoons. Kids are introduced to light philosophy and given questions to ponder over.

    Some people mock Shanks. They cite the zany antics. They are wrong. They cannot see past this facade. Those who witnessed his grand political statement at the 2008 Paddy's Day Parade won't easily forget. Donned in a cream crooner suit that had seen better days, our guru joined the parade after the last float amongst the people (would he do it any other way?). Belting out Joe Dolan songs, Shanks aped around, boogying and jiving like a balding man with no shame. The crowd, transfixed, thought that there was an idiot in the wrong village. A few of us could see that what looked like a gawdy and embarrassing incident was really a staged political statement. The man was predicting the economic downturn. We could not see it. He is too clever for us.

    It is easy to think of Shanks Godfrey when one reads Robert Kennedy's words....
    Each time a person stands up for an ideal,
    or acts to improve the lot of others...
    he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,
    and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring,
    those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.




    Shanks Godfrey NUMBER 1
    YOUR VOTE IS VITAL


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,730 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    To the people who have joined this website recently, welcome. Please familiarise yourself with the charter.

    While this is an open forum, users must maintain a certain level of respect towards each other and the candidates who are running. Accusations towards candidates will not be tolerated nor other examples of 'mud slinging'.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 siralansapprent


    Thats terrible...................not a Shanker supporter believe it or not!

    I have you tell ye this! After all my defending of Callan Carroll last week I had a knock on my door on Saturday morning and it was Mr. Kevin Callan himself, couldnt beleive it.....I tackled him on a number of issues such as the hospital, jobs and what can he do when he gets in or if i give him a number one vote etc, needless to say i was very impressed, this guy has a lot of determination, energy and drive about him, no ****Sh** at all, genuine guy. I was really impressed i must say and he is definately one to watch i reckon. Say what you want Stopthemuppets but this guy is certainly no muppet


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Well , I suspect that we have an out-and-out Callan plant here. Please spare us the electioneering love, and direct your efforts to a more juvenile site where this rubbish may go undetected.

    Love

    STM


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 106 ✭✭noels little bu


    no has mentioned sinn fein yet. is there a reason for this. i always found imelda munster to be very good, educated and helpfull. sinn fein get my vote..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Again, this word "educated" appears as an endorsement, a must-have credential for a candidate. And yet again, I will point out that a degree or an appearance of academia is no real qualification for a local government coun. I myself spent 8 years in-and-out of university where I met a lot of people with all the gab, all the bull, but no real substance! What is more important is for a candidate to have some integrity, a genuine interest in the welfare of all citizens in the borough and some philosophical basis behind their political stance. Talking a good game is all well and good, but where the hell has got us?

    As for the "Youth" factor that is being bandied about as a selling point..... Well, again in my experience youth=stupidity, and here I speak with some authority, having been a young person for many years myself. Those of a certain vintage will know that it is more important for one's philosophy and approach to develop slowly with age and experience, to mature into a solid and enlightened ethical and moral standpoint that may help guide one's actions and the actions of others. Younger candidates tend to see glittering lights ahead of them and a move into politics is generally a career-minded move. The phrase headless-chickens springs to mind....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 siralansapprent


    i have a right to express what i have heard or experienced from whatever person comes to my door. Obviously you dont like Callan/Carroll or anyone else in this election apart from your own party and your bullying tactics/very strong feelings about this election wont stop me from placing positive feedback on this website no matter who its about. i hope it all works out for you and whatever you stand for.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,430 ✭✭✭positron


    Well, again in my experience youth=stupidity, and here I speak with some authority, having been a young person for many years myself.

    I spurted coffee all over my keyboard reading that..! :D

    PS: I don't even drink coffee.. This must be from last week..!! :D:D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    i have a right to express what i have heard or experienced from whatever person comes to my door. Obviously you dont like Callan/Carroll or anyone else in this election apart from your own party and your bullying tactics/very strong feelings about this election wont stop me from placing positive feedback on this website no matter who its about. i hope it all works out for you and whatever you stand for.

    Well you are wrong about several things here. First, NOBODY is disputing your right to express yourself, whatever you views may be. Second, I believe that there are good candidates accross the boundaries in this election, but it is up to each and every voter to determine this for themselves - we do not need blatent plugs here for individual candidates, thanks, we are quite capable....

    Lastly, pointing out the abject failure of politics,politicians and political parties in this country is not bullying tactics, it is expressing the truth as I see it, as I witness it, as I experience it . It is never my intention to belittle or bully anyone, I am sorry if it experienced that, but just look at the absolute mess we are in, for heaven's sake.......... The EVIDENCE speaks for itself, as your chosen candidate should know.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 siralansapprent


    STM you have commented badly on every candidate that has been mentioned on this board so far including FF, FG, SF so that leaves Labour the Greens or an Independent so which are you? You are lecturing everyone on thier views but yet you wont say who you support. We are all wrong and you are right...Stop hiding behind your bumph of words and tell us who you really support.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Yet again, you are mis-representing what I have previously. I have NOT slated ALL other parties/canadidates in this thread!!!! There ARE decent candidates out there.... I have been merely stating the obvious, that is, how the established parties have singularly FAILED in every possible way over the last few years and urging the need for a sea change in the Irish political landscape. FG have gone along with the damaging policies implemented by FF during their time in office. In addition, FF/FG clearly represent vested interests in Irish society, always have done, are now and always will do..... FACT

    Now that the TIGER has been cremated and the ashes scattered, the ever-widening cracks in our countrys' economic, social and cultural life will become more apprarant, as will the increasing lack of foresight and vision by those who think that they know better. We don't need more suits, more of the same, we need real change.......


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,730 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    Uniden's post has been deleted due to its content. This thread has some good viewpoints but if it continues to get the same type of abusive posts again and again, then it will be closed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 106 ✭✭noels little bu


    i am sorry but sinn fein in no way backed the banks bailout..in fact they have condemed it all the time and continue to do so...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Agreed.....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭bottomdog


    The male Shinners in Drogheda have little chips on their shoulders , lack maturity, the female candidate Imelda Munster is head and shoulders above them.....as for the banks...and Sinn Fein commenting.....well all I can say is somebody helped the northern Bank by bailing it our of 30 mil are few years back..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭bottomdog


    Agreed.....
    Skcornnelg wrote: »
    Well my vote goes to Yinka Dixon, mainly for putting her person most admired as "the lollipop lady" as opposed to all the other Nelson Mandela/Popular American politican cliché answers.

    Sorry but I cannot bring myself to vote for someone who admires the Lollypop lady more than anyone else, smacks of an impluse answer......er next.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 Uniden


    SINN FEIN DID CHECK YOUR FACTS THEN COME BACK AND APOLOGIZE....

    IT IS AN ACTUAL FACT :

    http://www.politics.ie/sinn-fein/35467-why-did-sf-support-bank-bail-out.html


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18 Uniden


    i am sorry but sinn fein in no way backed the banks bailout..in fact they have condemed it all the time and continue to do so...

    http://www.politics.ie/sinn-fein/35467-why-did-sf-support-bank-bail-out.html

    you think another Sinner lover next thing you will be denying the Troubles get a life and stop supporting terrorists


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,730 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    Uniden banned for 7 days. Just because someone has a different viewpoint does not mean you can accuse them of supporting terrorists.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9 siralansapprent


    I dont think Sinn Fein are in the same place as everyone else, they just disagree for the sake of disagreeing there is never any texture behind thier views.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3 Youreavinalaugh


    STM you have commented badly on every candidate that has been mentioned on this board so far including FF, FG, SF so that leaves Labour the Greens or an Independent so which are you? You are lecturing everyone on thier views but yet you wont say who you support. We are all wrong and you are right...Stop hiding behind your bumph of words and tell us who you really support.

    Hey, CALM down Mrs Callan, dis is only meant to b a bit of banter!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 717 ✭✭✭Porkpie


    A lot of people out there, myself included, are just utterly confused about who to vote for. These election posters/beauty contests don't make a damn difference. Oh yes, I'm very impressed that they are all number 1. Drogheda is turning into a real kip of a place, with shops closing down in the town, increasing anti-social behaviour, little for young people to do (when will we get our long-promised skate park?), the state of the Lourdes hospital and the fact that visitors have to pay for parking there is absolutely scandalous. Any candidate who has some sort of track record, seems genuine, and vows to tackle issues such as these will have my vote. I need to see more than election posters and leaflets. At the moment I feel disillusioned and apathetic and have yet to be convinced.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 908 ✭✭✭Whiskey Devil


    Was anybody else swamped by the 'Labour' mob at the train station this morning? :rolleyes:



    A knock at the door from Herr Godfrey was a most welcome surprise for my 24 year old girlfriend earlier this week. It went a little something like this..


    Door opens..
    Shanks - Is your mammy or daddy in?
    Gf - (Laughing) No, this is my house!
    Shanks - Are you old enough to vote, then?
    Gf - Just about!
    Shanks - Will you give me your number 1?
    Gf - I will!

    Wish I'd been there! I want to ask him about the time he burnt a Union Jack in United Park! What a man!! :cool:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    Ah Jasus will yeh leave poor Shankers alone. He has become the whipping boy for this local election and its not fair really. His election brochure is a rather sad affair, listing all of Shank's past glories, a bit like reading the honors role of, em, let me see, Leeds Utd. And, we know deep in our hearts, like Leeds, Shanks may never reach those dizzy heights again....

    There are others with Slick campaigns, and the Schmooz to go with it, but few, if any, with the panache of Mr. G.!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 TheRocketman


    At a time when this town needs good leadership and vision, I believe that its important that we get someone with new ideas and enthusiasm. I've lived in this town all my life and for one I'd like to see some new faces.

    Its a disgrace that the council has allowed the littering of posters throughout the town. There should be a limit on the number of posters a candidate can put up and only in certain places.

    If there was one objective that you would like a candidate to undertake what would it be??????

    Community is gone from the town. Can we get it back?????

    Great Forum


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 116 ✭✭Blarggggh


    My eldest sister went to school with James Carrol and worked with Kevin Callen in the Westcourt back in the day. The both hold law degress James gained in UCD and Kevins bought in Griffinth Collage. She thinks they will both ok if elected. But says they are carriests and are only running for the "prestige" of the role. Once they can get there pictures in the paper every week they will be adaquite. So Godfrey mark 2. But I suppose its better then Linda Bell. Who is going to get a University for Drogheda or Meath candidate James Carey who single handedly is going to create nearly 3000 jobs in Stamullen !!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,144 ✭✭✭BQQ


    Good forum though I'm not sure the original poster is any the wiser now.
    They're all going around with the same platitudes and empty promises we've heard so many times before.
    With that in mind, I've decided to vote Godfrey. At least with Frank you know what you're gonna get - 100% entertainment. We're gonna be stuck with a bunch of wasters one way or the other, so we may as well get a few laughs out of it.:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3 Youreavinalaugh


    This Week: The Big Boys

    FF - Populist Party with a Nationalist hue now fading with age. Ideologically bankrupt e.g. Bertie called himself a socialist while presiding over one the most right-wing govt’s in Europe: Daft!
    Pro-Lisbon stance

    Dear, oh dear, oh dear, the big daddy of Irish politics has really gone and gotten itself into one BIG mess. 10 years+ of failed economic and social policies, tribunals, scandals and complete ineptitude has left the party and its supporters totally and utterly exhausted. Spent the family jewels during the wild years on, let me see, E-voting machines (€55,000,000 million that you paid for and the meter is still runnin' on that one ) and a port tunnel that cannot accomodate super trucks. NTR paid €15m for the building of the Toll Bridge and FF then paid €600m to get it back! Stop laughing at the back, this is not meant to be funny....... Leader with NO sense of humour, obviously lacks any emotional intelligence that would be required of Der Furher….

    A combination of historical circumstances, Tammany-Hall style antics, political dynasties (a bit like Irish supermarkets used to be ‘till big bad Tesco came along) and the parochial nature of Irish politics have seen them more or less dominate the political landscape since DEV came in out of the cold with his band of soldiers back in the early 30's. Will rely on traditional support-base that WILL get out and vote for them, that’s the worrying thing. And they do have a Lazarus-style ability to come back from the dead and emerge as vanquished heroes (see DEV, also BEV, et al)

    In a word: Donalducked
    Entertainment value: *****

    FG - Conservative with a big "C" i.e. Right wing big time
    Pro-Europe stance
    Now this lot have been playing a canny game and are keeping well below the radar for the time being. Went along with FF on most of the big failures of the Tiger years and unreservedly supported all of the unfettered free-market madness than has created current mess. Ideologically have shifted more to right over the past couple of years (recent love-ins with the British Tories) and will have a murkey past of dabbling in right-wing reactionary politics (resentments/hsitories die hard in Irish Politics). Indeed, they have been at it again with more (see the honorable member for Blanchardstown) stuff right out of the RW Tory manual.

    Traditionally the party of BIG business, BIG farmers and aspirational-types i.e working class wannabe lower middle class, lower middle class wannabee middle class, middle class who just wannabee richer and better than us plebs and get invited to golf weekends with the likes of Quinn. Will pick up votes from disaffected FF voters. Again, like FF, rely on an almost blind tradition of historical voting patters i.e "My Daddy, god bless 'im, was a staunch FG supporter"...or "sure, that's always been a strong FG town", etc. Christ, the stupidity of it!

    In a word: Dangerous!
    Entertainment value: ***

    Lab - Purple Pragmatic Party (i.e. red meets blue in messy mish-mash of compromise)
    Pro-euro Stance

    Since deviating from traditional left-wing style politics donkey's years ago, have morphed into a middle-of-the-road outfit, a kind of mish mash of:

    "dont really know what we stand for anymore, em', the workin man perhaps, that's it, and a fairer Ireland may be? , what's that? Not sure but we'll play ball with anyone so as we can get a bit of oul' power, get into bed with FG, whom we are supposed to be opposed to, ideologically speaking ,ideology - wha's dat for jasus sakes? ah sure, nobody will notice if we have no real principles, philosophy,vision... "

    One or two genuine types on board, but lack any real vision for a party that is supposedly for the workin’ man, the weak, the disadvantaged, the downtrodden, etc. Leadership has been lacking any charisma since Dick Spring made it obligatory for all Lab leaders to look like a stuffed shirt.

    In a word: Dull
    Entertainment value: *

    Sinn Fein - Nationalist /Republican Party aka The Closet Party (as in, more skeletons that St Peters contained therein)
    Anti-Lisbon stance

    Have a (in some cases, well deserved) reputation for getting things done in more deprived areas, where they have built a solid bedrock of support. They are good at mobilising the troops in these areas and this will see them through me thinks.

    Adams and McGuinness are tremendous politicians, no doubt about that - they brought hardliners away from the gun and to the ballot box. Full marks. However, not convinced if they have a real role in 21st century politics in the Republic. Abhor nationalism of any hue personally, only leads to polarization, and at the end of the day, ye can't eat a flag lads.....

    In a Word: Anachronism
    Entertainment value: ****

    Greens- The Cyclist’s Party
    Pro-Europe stance

    The above word also applies to a party that has singularly failed to provide any kind of spark since they went into Govt with Bertie last general election. Somewhat of an irrelevance now, since most Govt’s are now tied into protocols, agreements, etc to do with Green Issues. And all too late, anyhow, since anyone with half a brain can see that the planet is more or less donald......

    Noel (sure I'll come an open a can of beans for ye) Dempsey did more with his bag tax than this crowd have done since in "power". Granted, Yinka is a bright spark in an otherwise same-old, same-old campaign, but, once again, let me rail against any kind of vote for "if the face seems to fit" scenario.

    In a word: Irrelevant
    Entertainment value: No stars. Nil.

    Next: The smaller parties and independents reviewed. No mercy!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20 Stopthemuppets


    My only advice to the virgin voter (irregardless of whether they've done the deed or not) is:

    DON'T LEAVE THE CLOWNS IN CHARGE OF THE CRICUS ANY LONGER!

    At a time when this town needs good leadership and vision, I believe that its important that we get someone with new ideas and enthusiasm. I've lived in this town all my life and for one I'd like to see some new faces.

    Its a disgrace that the council has allowed the littering of posters throughout the town. There should be a limit on the number of posters a candidate can put up and only in certain places.

    If there was one objective that you would like a candidate to undertake what would it be??????

    Community is gone from the town. Can we get it back?????

    Great Forum


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