now ye're lobbyin' ?

Piriz

Is it possible to identify a team of members from boards.ie who agree to participate in the creation of a list for a new agreement for which ever party wins the next election to abide by? This list will possibly propose that the new government accepts to change the mandate, the constitution if necessary/possible, the work practices, the benefits received by politicians etc. and in doing so will receive their votes based on this agreement.

When all suggestions through boards.ie are discussed, argued, and found reasonable and viable a document can be drafted and then signed by all members of boards who support it. This can be used as a tool to lobby the government and make some positive changes. It is possible such a document could find legs outside of boards.ie and be supported nationally.

(Personally, I accept my hypothesis may be amateurish, ambitious and naive perhaps but hopefully more capable members can bring the political, economical and legal wisdom to develop such an idea). In addition, all members are welcome to contribute.

An example of changes I would like the next government to agree on would be:

• All politicians required to clock out.
• All politicians to agree to fewer holidays in the summer and Easter breaks.
• Politicians to have appropriate experience for role i.e. no more Mary Coughlin’s as Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment.
• Abolish the free parking and chauffer expenses for Bertie and whom ever else.
Etc.

If the rest of the country has to take a hit (unemployment, reduced wages, higher taxes the list goes on) we should insist that out Government do so too! This is an idea for a collective approach. I hope the idea will be explored.

There is lots of great members here with great ideas, perhaps we could use them.

Boards.ie
now ye’re lobbyin’

P.s if you think its a ****e idea i don't want to be crucified, its just a thought i've had with good intentions...thanks!

Eliot Rosewater

I admire the enthusiasm, but I'm not sure it would work! Set up a thread "lets agree on one thing" and see how long that lasts.

If such a thing were to go through it would probably be very broad. Increasing accountability for TD's is something most people want. I don't think anyone would be averse to publicly published expenses receipts, for example. But anything more and you start losing supporters.

Piriz

thanks for the reply.
With the right structure in place it could be kept viable. If a structure was implemented where for example 10 demands were proposed in the document it would be keeping things simple.
Why should they have so much time off when there is so much to be done? Why should they have free parking when parking levies/taxes are coming into our cities? Why should they have people with inappropriate experience in these positions? We get WPP1 and it requires an appropriate background! Why should they have lavish expenses when there is no money for SNA's? Why? Why? Why? coz they get away with it, thats why! (I'm ****in sick of this bo**ox, I dont want them to get away with it anymore). The electorate should create a demands list and if they want to get into power they satisfy the citizens reasonable demands, thats democracy, no? There is no room for perks in government positions anymore there is no money for it there is no reason for it. help get rid of it or it will never go!

If the next government want to show their commitment, make them prove it in advance...

If they cant agree to a sensible plan for change why do they deserve a vote?

If a plan is reasonable there is no reason why it cant be supported by everyone in the electorate.

If all parties sign up to the 10 point plan, bring in another 10 points...separate the men from the boys...why should they get our votes on empty promises, we get nothing in return..

now ye're lobbyin'

Eliot Rosewater

Ok, well try and get together a list. 10 is far to ambitious, make it 5 even.

You're against fee parking in the Dail. A lot of employers provide free parking for their employees. I think they need to concentrate on running the country, rather than when their parking discs up!

I'm sure most will agree on publicizing expenses.

Piriz

I don't want to be personally responsible for creating a list, i'm far from the best person to do so..
Your suggestion is perfectly valid though and is a good example of what we as an electorate should try to achieve from the next election.

The concept I proposed is to try to form a meeting of minds from boards members to establish a practical method to achieve positive action and commitment from the next political party.
There is no reason that this cant be examined discussed and finally drafted as a valid document and signed by its supporters.

If they want to be in power why don't we use the fact that they need us to get there, however we get some results in return.

Thanks.

now ye're lobbyin'

InReality

It might work. The internet is still developing and so it will change politics over time.
I'd suggest coming up with 1 very straightforward idea , and starting a facebook campaign. After a few weeks if its popular enough it could get picked up by the media.
Then who knows ?