Could this work, EnterpriseParty.ie

MrDarcy

Ok, with all the very obvious expressions of discontent with our FF/Green government at this time and what I consider is absolute dispair at the thoughts of and FG/Labour alternative under Kenny & Gilmore, I've been thinking about what the ideal party solution would be if there was a date for a general election announced today and someone came to my door canvassing for my vote.

So this is an attempt at a blank canvas discussion to see if maybe we can put some meat on the bones of an idea here that I think would work...

Say a political party called The Enterprise Party was set up, this organisation would be not just a political organisation, but it would also be an organisation that would have other functions as well, not unlike the BNI organisation, which has local chapters and basically brings together small businesses that agree to trade with each other, like a referral system.

Only this movement that I'm describing brings together the unemployed, those that want to create jobs, small business owners, those that may not want to start up a business but those that would be happy to work for a business that is started up. Basically it would evolve to be a support system for job creation, generating start up capital through an internal lending system not unlike how the Credit Union operates...

I've something in my head here as an idea and I'm probably not doing it justice in the description above, but I'm suggesting some sort of alternative that is based of course on policies that support job creation, but also walks the walk on that front instead of just talking the talk.

With internet technology so handy to use now, the whole organisation could be tracked for the number of jobs created in each town, the types of jobs that are being created, the type of vacancies that are emerging, the whole thing could be completely transparent so you can see what businesses are being supported, what the success rate is, etc...

I was reading a book on the Freemason's the other day and what they have is a brotherhood/fraternity that supports members. Imagine if we took something from the BNI framework, something from the Credit Union concept, something from the Masonic appraoch, and came up with some new type of ACTION BASED political movement in Ireland. And we field a candidate in every constituency that has a chapter, (and no this isn't some hairbrained backwater scheme to get myself elected to the Dail, I'd make a useless politician!)...

OMD

So basically a new take on the totalitarian state. Support The Party and you are fine. Refuse to join the party and tough luck. Basically it is a non runner. Not even worth discussing.

feicim

MrDarcy wrote: »

...I was reading a book on the Freemason's the other day and what they have is a brotherhood/fraternity that supports members...

Careful now. This sounds suspiciously like FF :eek:!

MrDarcy

OMD wrote: »

So basically a new take on the totalitarian state. Support The Party and you are fine. Refuse to join the party and tough luck. Basically it is a non runner. Not even worth discussing.

I really don't see the point you are trying to make at all, it sounds symptomatic of the kind of "knock it before you even consider it" attitude that this country is so well known for.

It's a free country, you can of course vote for whomever you wish or nobody at all for that matter.

I'm a firm believer in action as opposed to endless discussion. if it's not for you, if you would rather remain unemployed and on the dole, or if you have a business idea but would prefer to live without ever having access to a support system that would help you get that idea off the ground, then by all means don't get involved and continue voting for FF, FG, Green Party or Labour and bitching about the lack of real choice on boards.ie.

Nothing that I've set out or suggested above attempts to deprive you of your natural and undisputable right to vote as you see fit.

MrDarcy

feicim wrote: »

Careful now. This sounds suspiciously like FF :eek:!

I'm not talking about "copying exactly", the masonic model. I'm an entrepereneur and I can tell you from my first few business experiences that ended in failure, that if I was better supported, I would have met with success earlier. The Freemason's claim to use a series of allegorial experiences usually based on a ritual, to depart life learning experiences and to, "make good men better" as they would say themselves. Imagine if you took that aspect of Masonry and said that you would document the key lessons that first time failed entrepreneurs had learnt, and helped other people starting the journey to avoid the same pitfalls???

OMD

MrDarcy wrote: »

I'm a firm believer in action as opposed to endless discussion. .

Of course you do. That's why you formed the party rather than simply go on line and chat about it. :rolleyes:

In case you haven't worked it all out. What you are suggesting is a political party that
"has local chapters and basically brings together small businesses that agree to trade with each other, like a referral system."

Now this is the party we are talking about, not some government organization, so it is entirely funded by its members (and donations). These members are going to favour other members when they "trade with each other", after all they are the ones paying for it. So members of the party benefit over non members. If that party was in government (and what is the point of a political party if it does not intend being in government) you can now see the problems this would cause and how this idea is so stupid beyond belief.

mikemac

A brotherhood that helps each other, ok sounds noble

But if a member company advertises a job are members of the local chapter going to get an advantage when a job vacancy arises?
What about a member company taking bids on a contract?

MrDarcy wrote: »

document the key lessons that first time failed entrepreneurs had learnt, and helped other people starting the journey to avoid the same pitfalls???

Don't the county enterprise boards have a mentor system? I've heard about it before.
It's a good idea anyway.

MrDarcy

OMD wrote: »

Of course you do. That's why you formed the party rather than simply go on line and chat about it. :rolleyes:

Absolute rubbish, I'm self employed, I run businesses, I've taken risks with my own money, time and energy and I've had to make sacrifices in others areas of my life so that I could become self employed. In that respect I do things as opposed to talking about them endlessly and I find the endless negativity on this forum and the whole absence of any positive input whatsoever, actually remarkable. I find people like yourself who automatically knock things rather than exploring them, even more breathtaking.

OMD wrote: »

In case you haven't worked it all out. What you are suggesting is a political party that
"has local chapters and basically brings together small businesses that agree to trade with each other, like a referral system."

Now this is the party we are talking about, not some government organisation, so it is entirely funded by its members (and donations). These members are going to favour other members when they "trade with each other", after all they are the ones paying for it. So members of the party benefit over non members. If that party was in government (and what is the point of a political party if it does not intend being in government) you can now see the problems this would cause and how this idea is so stupid beyond belief.

Well look at SIPTU, which is an organisation with members, (non members clearly do not benefit as much as members), I'm not a member of SIPTU so I don't expect any voting rights or any input into their organisation, equally I do not pay union dues which pay for the union. But if I was a member, I would have a say, where non members would have no say. Same can be said for IBEC, all these organisations are centrally involved in the political decision making process of this state.

Your point appears to be completely redundant...

MrDarcy

feelingstressed wrote: »

Don't the county enterprise boards have a mentor system? I've heard about it before.
It's a good idea anyway.

Don't get me started on those gimps, they are worse than useless. They exist for one reason only, to provide a home for politically appointed cronies, they are of no assistance to any small business, they are actually an obstruction at the moment to job creation. If you have any doubts, pay them a visit.