Who will you vote for in 2012?

AskMyChocolate

As a militant socialist I will probably be voting Socialist Party/ Sinn Fein/ Labour. But I don't agree with many of their policies;just their idealogical standpoint. I would love to see a few more socialist party TDs, senators, councillors in there, just to keep them honest. I'd love to see a few more Sinn Fein TDs in there for the same reason.

But the idea that either of these parties (in their present state) would ever be left in charge of eitrher the IDF or the NTMA is enough to make a grown man blench.

So I suppose it's Labour, despite the fact that James Connolly would have shot Ruairi Quinn long ago.:(

So, anyway AHer's, who will you be voting for and what fantasy party would you like to vote for?

I'd like a party who would:

1) Forget all political concerns and simply cut pensions and social welfare
by whatever the economy can take without losing more jobs.I'd imagine it's between six a nd seven per cent.

2) Slash public service pay (especially at the middle management/top end)

3) Introduce an anti-slavery rebate, whereby a person's tax obligation is offset against the price of the average house when they first bought their house.

4) Introduce a tax for all people in the private sector who have not lost their jobs and have done very nicely out of the recession (mainly middle/top management in the banks and insurance companies:rolleyes:) and use this to offset against the people in the private sector who have lost their jobs or had to take serious pay-cuts.

5) Introduce a points system for social housing entitlement along the lines of :

10 pts for every fifty-two weeks of stamps paid
5 pts for every year without a criminal conviction
5 pts for every year not being in a court at all.
5 pts for making sure that your kids are in school.

You get the point. A decent person, however poor wouldn't be long clocking up the points.

Anyway, look forward to the fantasy right-wing suggestions. :pac:

Btw, I haven't mentioned bankers, politicians, developers or religious leaders as I have no wish to incriminate myself.;)

AMC

OutlawPete

Labour.

Christ they have to be able to do better than Fianna Fail have done, it wouldn't be very hard I guess.

Owwmykneecap

Sinn Fein? socialists? jokers trading on an evaporating anti-english sentiment more like.

starbelgrade

The Progressive Democrats.

Killer Pigeon

A party that can keep us going 'til 21st December 2012.

AskMyChocolate

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

Sinn Fein? socialists? jokers trading on an evaporating anti-english sentiment more like.

James Connolly was never anti-English. He was anti-slavery and anti-feudal privilege; concepts which seem to escape Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

Owwmykneecap

This guy

1scai1.gif

DOC09UNAM

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

This guy

1scai1.gif

He's got my vote.

Jesus Wept

Me

Celly Smunt

socialist

starbelgrade

I've never voted for any party that actually got elected (usually Labour). The last few times I marked the ballot paper, I've thought, "well, that's them jinxed".

So next election, I think I might vote for Fianna Fail.

Wolfe Tone

I will vote for one of the Republican parties, probably SF.

Isle

Dustin the turkey for president! :P

An independant who understands just how deep the shít is and doesn't want to fill his boots.

Owwmykneecap

Graham Linehan for president.

aligator_am

The Mayans

Tar.Aldarion

Nobody.

starbelgrade

From Wiki..

Dustin has often declared his interest in politics. He has campaigned in two presidential elections. He competed as Dustin Hoffman in the 1997 presidential election as both forename and surname were necessary to register.

In his mock campaigns, he ran as a representative of "Fianna Fowl" (a play on Ireland's largest political party Fianna Fáil).

His campaign manifestos have included promising "to bring the DART to Dingle", as well as making sure every young boy in Ireland got to go on a date with the Spice Girl of their choice.

He has recently showed interest in becoming the president of America.

Irlanda Duez Point!

artanevilla

Sinn Fein one and two, socialist party 3rd preference.

KidKeith89

Who knows what the political landscape will be like in Ireland in two years. We might even see the Dail dissolve again then. :rolleyes:

I'll probably go with Labour, and I think the rest of the nation are thinking the same. (Irish Times poll a few months back showed Labour were the second most popular party with Eamon Gilmore being the most popular leader.) I'll be truly sickened if the Irish people vote in FF again. :mad:

I consider myself quite a liberal person but over the last few months I've been thinking a centre-right party (other than FF, of course) could do a deschent job. I'd like to see social welfare cut by 20 per cent for those on it more than six months. A crackdown on social welfare fraud (obviously) with a national identity card for social services would be effective. The idea of bringing back in tuition fees up-front I don't like (perpetuating social class difference isn't very nice!) but the arrangement some TDs have at the moment is a good one, where students pay back their tuition fees to the state after they reach a certain threshold on their income - therefore, if you get rich you give back to society. (Those who don't get rich pay back some of their fees.)

We need to raise corporation tax a little, but not too much - don't want all the multinationals leaving! We need to stop funding private schools. We need to abolish the Seanad. We need to cut the salaries of top paid public sector workers. Don't tax people if they're earning under €25,000. Tax those earning up to €50,000 at 20 per cent, up to €100,000 at 30 per cent, and anything over €100,000 at 45 per cent.

Also the state spends €2 billion annually on those who cannot work due to 'illness.' We need to rethink the criteria of what being "unable to work" involves.

PeterIanStaker

Ron Jeremy for Taosieach!





but seriously I dont know, not like it'll make any difference, the ship has sunk.

Gone West

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

As a militant socialist

Did anyone ever notice how socialists are always poor?
And their real desire is to get a measly little slice of richer peoples money...

Well, ya aint getting a cent from me. Legally have not paid any income tax (or VAT in Ireland) in about 2 years. Get off your ass and work, maybe then when you are making your own money you won´t want to share any with the great unwashed either!

PeterIanStaker

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

but seriously I dont know, not like it'll make any difference, the ship has sunk.

It hasn't sunk yet, holed below the waterline and going down. I'm tempted to vote the same crew that sailed it into the iceberg so they can go down with it!

KidKeith89

Deleted User wrote: »

It hasn't sunk yet, holed below the waterline and going down. I'm tempted to vote the same crew that sailed it into the iceberg so they can go down with it!

I can't tell if that's a joke or not?

AskMyChocolate

Deleted User wrote: »

An independant who understands just how deep the shít is and doesn't want to fill his boots.

Yup. We could do with a few more Shane Ross's.It's coming to something when David Norris has to point out the flaws of the Elite and stand for the working man cos he's the only one who understand how close to Lynching Time it is.

*if i googled lynching time all night i still couldn'tcomeupwith a funneh*:(

Owwmykneecap

Fuzzy wrote: »

Did anyone ever notice how socialists are always poor?
And their real desire is to get a measly little slice of richer peoples money...

Well, ya aint getting a cent from me. Legally have not paid any income tax (or VAT in Ireland) in about 2 years. Get off your ass and work, maybe then when you are making your own money you won´t want to share any with the great unwashed either!

So you're a parasite then? and you're calling others the same?

Agent Smith

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

So you're a parasite then? and you're calling others the same?

Check his location

Gone West

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

So you're a parasite then? and you're calling others the same?

Words of a poor person! :pac::pac:

No, I don´t live in Ireland, the country is IMO too fooked right now, and its only getting worse. I love Ireland, but I am waiting until the gombeens are gone and the country is on the road to economic recovery. This crapy economic situation will probably last a decade. Doesn´t matter who you vote for in 2012 (I´d say most likely an election will be called in 2011). The situation will stay the same. Labour or any of the LOL parties (sf, SWP, etc) would cripple us worse than anything. A decent right wing party with smart economic policy is needed. (ie probably not FG).

I pay local taxes at realistic rates, Ireland is suffocating itself, its entrepreneurs, and startup businesses with ridiculous taxes on ridiculous things and over regulation of everything. Nanny state tbh.

rugbyman

AMC
i read your post with interest. then some of the answers reminded me I was in AH.
from your stated view of prob voting Labur ,your first two points, cutstate pay and numbers, cut welfare, are decidedly not Labour policies.

Depending on where you live ,if a Labour candidate cannot get elected but is not eliminated your vote will not count if you want to effect Govt, change. So think about it. Since the likely outcome of an election is FG/LAB you may well help LAB by electing a FG TD.

re your "subsidy " on neg equity, itis interesting ,but cumbersome. For those in serious neg equity,like 300 k owed on a now valued 150 k house and either partner having lost their employment, either giving back the keys(with banks agreement,) and reverting to council housing may well be the best option.

to those who mentioned high taxes, I know nothing of Colombia , but taxes in Western Europe are higher than in Ireland

Regards, rugbyman

rugbyman

Fuzzy "and over regulation of everything"

+ 1


Rugbyman

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Fuzzy wrote: »

Words of a poor person! :pac::pac:

No, I don´t live in Ireland, the country is IMO too fooked right now, and its only getting worse. I love Ireland, but I am waiting until the gombeens are gone and the country is on the road to economic recovery. This crapy economic situation will probably last a decade. Doesn´t matter who you vote for in 2012 (I´d say most likely an election will be called in 2011). The situation will stay the same. Labour or any of the LOL parties (sf, SWP, etc) would cripple us worse than anything. A decent right wing party with smart economic policy is needed. (ie probably not FG).

I pay local taxes at realistic rates, Ireland is suffocating itself, its entrepreneurs, and startup businesses with ridiculous taxes on ridiculous things and over regulation of everything. Nanny state tbh.

rugbyman wrote: »

Fuzzy "and over regulation of everything"

+ 1


Rugbyman

Isn't the probelm that got Ireland into this mess the fact that the UNDERregulated the property and financial industries...?

Entrepueners saying they want less regulation is like thieves saying they want less police.

stovelid

Any left-wing candidates that I like: for example, independents, Socialist Party or PBP. By default, I usually vote for Labour.

I have never voted for FF, FG, or the then PDs in my life - in boom-time or recession - and I'r rather spoil my vote than ever do so.

punchdrunk

the day SF get into power is the day I hand aerlingus several grand and say
"get me the f$%k outta here!"

mikemac

There hasn't been a Labour candidate elected in our area in over 20 years and don't see it anytime soon

Voting independent.

El Siglo

I'll be abroad, so won't vote. Don't care really.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

El Siglo wrote: »

I'll be abroad, so won't vote. Don't care really.

You CAN still vote if you're abroad. Irish embassy will sort that out for you.

Pompey Magnus

If there was an election called tomorrow I honestly would be tempted to not vote for the first time since I became eligible.

I couldn't bring myself to vote for either Fine Gael or Labour as I really don't see them as being capable of bringing any positive solutions.

I couldn't vote Independent as the last thing this country needs at the minute when it is on its knees are more people who are just in the Dail for the small, local issues getting as much as they can for their constituents and f*ck the rest of the country.

My problem is when I look at the parties I really do think Fianna Fail are the only ones with any shred of talent to fix things if they actually put their mind to it instead of helping themselves and their buddies, however I am not convinced that they will change their attitude without getting punished badly by the electorate first and after the mess they made of things I cannot bring myself to voting for them either.

As far as I'm concerned things will just get worse under the next government, whoever they are. My problem is just deciding which will make a least worse mess of things.

punchdrunk

really Ireland needs a new,viable party option

rugbyman

Icky Poo

while of course you are right about the lack of regulation in Banking, and in plannng, i am talking about the myriad of laws brought in by the vast amount of functionaries , who thenselves were brought in by a vote buying Govt.

Our company, which has yet to make a profit, or pay a wage to the proprietors, had to fight an unfair dismissal case. it cost us 8,000 euro and the guy got nothing from the court. County Councils , bloated with staff, looking out for sticks to beat small businesses with.
clearly there has to be laws, to protect staff, the environment ,and those who cannot manage, but it ha gone too far,imo.


Rugbyman

TanG411

Fine Gael.

rugbyman

to vote out a Govt.in which a lot of its members have had their fingers in thetill, big time, is rather a negative thing. but it is what many intend to do.

In this case, one should consider what your vote can do. new govt needs to be formed and though Pompey Max you say you cannot vote for FG or LAB , then you cannot effect govt change. to leave those in power whom you put some blame on for for making a mess of things seems wrong to me. by not voting for a realistic alternative, or by not voting at all, you are saying you can live with (but not happy with) FF again.

regards Rugbyman

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

rugbyman wrote: »

Icky Poo

while of course you are right about the lack of regulation in Banking, and in plannng, i am talking about the myriad of laws brought in by the vast amount of functionaries , who thenselves were brought in by a vote buying Govt.

Our company, which has yet to make a profit, or pay a wage to the proprietors, had to fight an unfair dismissal case. it cost us 8,000 euro and the guy got nothing from the court. County Councils , bloated with staff, looking out for sticks to beat small businesses with.
clearly there has to be laws, to protect staff, the environment ,and those who cannot manage, but it ha gone too far,imo.


Rugbyman

What you don't mention is whether or not the guy have a case.

When I say regualtion, I mean clear rules about what is and is not fair business practice, closing loopholes, and punishing people who dodge taxes or fail to live up to legal regualtions. Certainly not leaving them to their own devices a la Sean Fitzpatrick.

if your company was in the right in the case mentioend above, you'll probably agree with me. If you were not, then I'd like to hear your rebuttal.

Red Hand

I'm voting for Sarah Palin.

The Volt

Labour. The only proper alternative. FF should be disbanded, hung, drawn and quartered let alone voted for. FG are one and the same and I fear some of their nutters like Veradkar would be even worse than the current monstrosity in charge. The greens wont even get a preference from me this time around and I'd rather chew off my own foot than ever give SF a vote.

fontanalis

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

As a militant socialist I will probably be voting Socialist Party/ Sinn Fein/ Labour. But I don't agree with many of their policies;just their idealogical standpoint. I would love to see a few more socialist party TDs, senators, councillors in there, just to keep them honest. I'd love to see a few more Sinn Fein TDs in there for the same reason.

But the idea that either of these parties (in their present state) would ever be left in charge of eitrher the IDF or the NTMA is enough to make a grown man blench.

So I suppose it's Labour, despite the fact that James Connolly would have shot Ruairi Quinn long ago.:(

So, anyway AHer's, who will you be voting for and what fantasy party would you like to vote for?

I'd like a party who would:

1) Forget all political concerns and simply cut pensions and social welfare
by whatever the economy can take without losing more jobs.I'd imagine it's between six a nd seven per cent.

2) Slash public service pay (especially at the middle management/top end)

3) Introduce an anti-slavery rebate, whereby a person's tax obligation is offset against the price of the average house when they first bought their house.

4) Introduce a tax for all people in the private sector who have not lost their jobs and have done very nicely out of the recession (mainly middle/top management in the banks and insurance companies:rolleyes:) and use this to offset against the people in the private sector who have lost their jobs or had to take serious pay-cuts.

5) Introduce a points system for social housing entitlement along the lines of :

10 pts for every fifty-two weeks of stamps paid
5 pts for every year without a criminal conviction
5 pts for every year not being in a court at all.
5 pts for making sure that your kids are in school.

You get the point. A decent person, however poor wouldn't be long clocking up the points.

Anyway, look forward to the fantasy right-wing suggestions. :pac:

Btw, I haven't mentioned bankers, politicians, developers or religious leaders as I have no wish to incriminate myself.;)

AMC

I'm almost too afraid to ask. You forgot to mention the bottomless money pit.

fontanalis

punchdrunk wrote: »

really Ireland needs a new,viable party option

Or a viable electorate.

TPD

I'm going to stay home dressed as a clown on voting day, as a form of protest. I'll decide later what I'm protesting, but that clown suit is mine.

Owwmykneecap

So sick of the anti FG posts that end with "I'm voting labour"

A vote for labour is a vote for an FG Lab gov
A vote for FG is a vote for a FG Lab gov.

Your personal feeling doesn't matter, the reality is you have a choice of two potential governments.

1. FF, inds, and what ever is left of the greens (if any).
2. FG, Lab

That is it, that is your only choice.

If you vote for either FG or Labour and don't continue your preferences to the other party, you are a ****ing retard.

AskMyChocolate

Fuzzy wrote: »

Did anyone ever notice how socialists are always poor?
And their real desire is to get a measly little slice of richer peoples money...

Well, ya aint getting a cent from me. Legally have not paid any income tax (or VAT in Ireland) in about 2 years. Get off your ass and work, maybe then when you are making your own money you won´t want to share any with the great unwashed either!

Bill Gates isn't poor. Neither was Henry Ford or Andrew Carnegie. Are you sure you don't just hate socialists because regardless of how far up it they are, they might at least be on the right ladder?

You come across chief as somebody who is struggling with capitalism. Have you been passed over for promotion again by a lesser man who only got the job cos he licks the boss's hole?

Btw, although it's none of your business, my family are grand and I don't want a slice of their money although everytime I get a slice of their wealth it does make me feel better. As for me personally, I have a contributory pension, and while my illness makes it difficult for me to work in a general way, it also frees me up to look after my elderly mother who would otherwise have to go into a nursing home. You do the sums.

Also, given the general age demographic of this site, I will happily bet you a fiver that I have paid more stamps than you chief.:)

The Volt

Owwmykneecap wrote: »

So sick of the anti FG posts that end with "I'm voting labour"

A vote for labour is a vote for an FG Lab gov
A vote for FG is a vote for a FG Lab gov.

Your personal feeling doesn't matter, the reality is you have a choice of two potential governments.

1. FF, inds, and what ever is left of the greens (if any).
2. FG, Lab

That is it, that is your only choice.

If you vote for either FG or Labour and don't continue your preferences to the other party, you are a ****ing retard.

You're absolutely right but what is important is the balance of power in the alternative government and IMO it's all the more important to make sure that Labour get as many first preferences as possible.

johngalway

Fine Gael.

I won't vote Labour as I don't like them, anyone on the side of the beards, who earn how many hundred thousands a year yet bleat on about the average industrial wage, is a liability.

I won't vote Fianna Fail because... Sorry I don't have time to list ALL the reasons.

As a farmer, hunter, and ordinary person who lives rurally I won't vote for the Green Party - Ever.

Independents, well, depends who's out there. None of them in my constituency are on my radar at the moment.

I despise Sinn Fein. In their current, hmm how do I say, period, they've done endlessly more to hurt this island than help it.

Can't think of anyone else.