How can we vote..how will we vote?

chucken1

Do the people of Clare have any choice? What the hell are we supposed to do??

CptSternn

Basically we are screwed. We have FF, FG and LAB to choose from. Either way all three are going to take seats. All three need to be routed from government.

FG is as bad as FF, see my other posts/rants on this, but Michael O'Flynn transferred over a billion euro of worthless assest into NAMA the same day he was playing golf with all the top FG TDs.

Add that to the fact the plan for economic recovery FG is selling is privatising everything (readin: no more free healthcare or other government services) and you can see they are not an alternative, but more of the same, even worse.

Labour talks the talk, but vote after vote they have fallen in line with FF/FG. Gilmore makes some impressive speeches and points out many flaws, yet continually follows down the same path and votes for the flawed issues he rants about.

Some might point out we do have a few 'independents' here in Clare, but lets be real - they are just rejects from FF/FG who didn't get a nomination and decided to run anyway. They still have the exact same political views, they just didn't win the local popularity contest. They will be voting alongside whichever party it was they attended the AGM for and didn't get nominated. Look at Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry and Kerry South's Jackie Healy-Rae - they are shining examples of this very thing.

So basically as I said above, we are screwed.

Monty Burnz

CptSternn wrote: »

Basically we are screwed. We have FF, FG and LAB to choose from. Either way all three are going to take seats. All three need to be routed from government.

This will be tricky for you, seeing as only one of that group is in government.

CptSternn wrote: »

FG is as bad as FF, see my other posts/rants on this, but Michael O'Flynn transferred over a billion euro of worthless assest into NAMA the same day he was playing golf with all the top FG TDs.

What evidence do you have for this assertion? Last time FG/Lab were in government they laid the foundations for the boom. It's not their fault that Fianna Failure poured the boom down the jacks.

CptSternn wrote: »

Add that to the fact the plan for economic recovery FG is selling is privatising everything (readin: no more free healthcare or other government services) and you can see they are not an alternative, but more of the same, even worse.

I don't think they are going to privatise everything, but then I'm not opposed to privatisation in principle as long as it does not harm the national interest. It's hard to see how our giant debts can be addressed without raising cash from somewhere - what is your solution?

CptSternn wrote: »

Labour talks the talk, but vote after vote they have fallen in line with FF/FG. Gilmore makes some impressive speeches and points out many flaws, yet continually follows down the same path and votes for the flawed issues he rants about.

What?

CptSternn wrote: »

Some might point out we do have a few 'independents' here in Clare, but lets be real - they are just rejects from FF/FG who didn't get a nomination and decided to run anyway. They still have the exact same political views, they just didn't win the local popularity contest. They will be voting alongside whichever party it was they attended the AGM for and didn't get nominated. Look at Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry and Kerry South's Jackie Healy-Rae - they are shining examples of this very thing.

You're probably right there.

CptSternn wrote: »

So basically as I said above, we are screwed.

We are all screwed, but that was due to Cowen and Fianna Failure. I won't accept that the alternative are as bad without seeing them in action. The evidence is they couldn't possibly be as bad as the guys who had the bloody IMF in.

CiaranMT

Labour didn't get above 1k first preference votes the last time out, and have a brand new candidate running this time. Unless Bhamjee is pulled outta the bag, they won't be getting a seat in Clare.

They will still be my first preference though. The gombeen/dullard culture of the Clare branches of FF/FG respectively has to be gotten rid of, and voting Ind. (Breen, former FF) isn't the way to go for me.

5h4mr0(k

We need a strong willed independent, along the lines of David McWilliams or Shane Ross, that will fight for the things that have to be done for the sake of the nation. If we don't default on the bank bailout, then everything else is a waste of time.

Is there anyone in the county that would fit the bill?

dr.fuzzenstein

If there was an Irish section of the Monster Raving Loony party, they'd get my vote.
They seem to have the most sensible policies...

Shapey Fiend

Mneh.. I'm just going to vote FG. Not very encouraged by the party at the moment but hopefully they'll buckle down and do a good job like they did the last time they were in.

Whoever gets in next is going to have to make a load of unpopular cuts, so I fully expect FF to waltz back in 5 or 10 years down the line because they won't be around to take the flak over the mess they created. Happened in the 90's.. happened in the 80's. It'll happen again this decade.

Parties are all the same argument is getting tedious. 63 of the 89 years the country has been around the same party has been in. Just vote whoever you dislike the least instead.

We're going to default on the bank bailout wether we choose to or not. I assume Labour/FG will change their tune shortly. Interesting times ahead.

golfball37

Will there be a Sinn Fein candidate? Thats who I'll be voting for. Default on the debt and half ministers pay and pensions.

The dirty scummy war is long over and its about we all moved on imo. Unless another party or candidate call for default and political reform I'll be voting for SF. [Never thought I'd say that]

Claregirl

ABFF!!!

That doesn't leave me with much choice tho! I have an aversion to Enda Kenny and Gilmore though!! Just a word of warning to anyone who compulsively gives everyone a score on the ballot though..... Don't do it! You'll end up getting the likes of Dooley back in by default! :eek:

Clareman

Added a poll to make things a bit easier

chucken1

http://www.clare.fm/news/hillery-and-dooley-selected-contest-clare-fianna-fail-seats


http://www.clare.fm/news/cooney-could-be-drafted-clare-fine-gael-election-ticket


So it looks like 2 fianna fail, 4 fine gael and 1 labour (Michael Mc Namara)

http://newswhip.ie/national-2/fine-gael-hq-adds-five-candidates-to-election-lists

EDIT..Clare councillor Tony Mulcahy, who joins outgoing Deputies Pat Breen and Joe Carey

HAVE I THEM ALL NOW??

Clareman

I would assume that James Breen won't run the next time around, he'll be well in his 60s this year I'd imagine.

I seem to remember FG running 4 candidates last time around, they got 2 in, but it split their vote a lot and almost allowed James B. in, I would imagine that they will run a lot smarter campaign and run their 2 sitting TDs with perhaps 1 more, Madeline Taylor Quinn polled very strongly in the European elections I seem to remember.

My guess for the next time around would be for Dr. Hillary to top the poll, mainly because of the FF support in the county along with the nostalgia effect his name will carry. Pat Breen seems popular, he may come second in the poll, I would imagine it would be between him and Timmy Dooley for the second spot. The forth spot I would imagine will go to Joe Carey. So 2 FF and 2 FG.

Saying all of the above, Clare does have a history of throwing up some strange results, James Breen & Bhamjee, so I would be surprised if Michael Mac for Labour could come in, that would depend on the East Clare vote I would imagine that would be split between him and Dooley and he will rely on a lot of transfers and Dooley getting in early, although that could be the other way around for the 2 of them though

Claregirl

Clareman wrote: »

Madeline Taylor Quinn polled very strongly in the European elections I seem to remember.

God I hate Taylor Quinn - Years ago when I was a teen I remember Garret Fitzgerald coming to town - back then nothing of note ever happend in Ennis and the likes of the Taoiseach coming to visit would be today's equivalent of Mohammed Ali's visit.

I remember getting to shake his hand and yer wan beside him shoved me out of the way I fell off the steps of the height and scraped my poor knee:mad:

So remember!! Yesterday's annyoing child is today's voter:D

Clareman

Claregirl wrote: »

God I hate Taylor Quinn - Years ago when I was a teen I remember Garret Fitzgerald coming to town - back then nothing of note ever happend in Ennis and the likes of the Taoiseach coming to visit would be today's equivalent of Mohammed Ali's visit.

I remember getting to shake his hand and yer wan beside him shoved me out of the way I fell off the steps of the height and scraped my poor knee:mad:

So remember!! Yesterday's annyoing child is today's voter:D

That also sums up how all politics are local politics

CiaranMT

Clareman wrote: »

Added a poll to make things a bit easier

Could you also take out the SF option since they're not running a candidate here?

Claregirl

Forgive a stupid question but are there any candidates from the Ennis area?

I know Joe Carey is from Clarecastle but that doesn't count;)

Lady Chatterton

Claregirl wrote: »

Forgive a stupid question but are there any candidates from the Ennis area?

I know Joe Carey is from Clarecastle but that doesn't count;)

If James Breen runs he will be the nearest to an Ennis candidate you'll get. He is currently a member of Clare County Council, he stood in Ennis West in that election.

Claregirl

Anyone know anything about this guy?

http://irishelectionliterature.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/manifesto-for-jim-connolly-independent-clare-2011-general-election/

Lady Chatterton

Claregirl wrote: »

Anyone know anything about this guy?

http://irishelectionliterature.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/manifesto-for-jim-connolly-independent-clare-2011-general-election/

He is originally from Dublin I think. Anyway he set up the Rural Resettlement programme back in the 80's, it was set up to encourage and assist people who wanted to move from Dublin and other large urban centres to places in West Clare like Loop Head, Carrigaholt, Kilrush etc.

Clareman

CiaranMT wrote: »

Could you also take out the SF option since they're not running a candidate here?

I can't remove an option from an active poll so I've closed the poll, if another 1 needs to be started I can do that in another thread

Palmach

MrsD007 wrote: »

He is originally from Dublin I think. Anyway he set up the Rural Resettlement programme back in the 80's, it was set up to encourage and assist people who wanted to move from Dublin and other large urban centres to places in West Clare like Loop Head, Carrigaholt, Kilrush etc.

Originally from Foynes. An artist back in Kilbaha. Strongly held opinions and by all accounts an honest man. Has a bee in his bonnet about An Taisce and spent a goodly share of his campaign booklet which came with the Champion attacking An Taisce.

chucken1

Clareman wrote: »

I can't remove an option from an active poll so I've closed the poll, if another 1 needs to be started I can do that in another thread

I just heard there is a meeting tonight to decide if in fact they will put up a candidate...will keep you posted!

b.physio.ie

Claregirl wrote: »

Forgive a stupid question but are there any candidates from the Ennis area?

I know Joe Carey is from Clarecastle but that doesn't count;)

The 23 year old candidate, Brian Markham is from West Clare but working/living in Ennis as far as I know.

chucken1

chucken1 wrote: »

I just heard there is a meeting tonight to decide if in fact they will put up a candidate...will keep you posted!

Well I suppose we all know by now theres no SF candidate.

I really wanted to meet Mc Namara as I know nothing about him really. He called to our estate yesterday and just threw a leaflet in the door! No knock..They literally ran around and were gone by the time I looked out (within 2 minutes). Not a good sign me thinks.

Lady Chatterton

chucken1 wrote: »

Well I suppose we all know by now theres no SF candidate.

I really wanted to meet Mc Namara as I know nothing about him really. He called to our estate yesterday and just threw a leaflet in the door! No knock..They literally ran around and were gone by the time I looked out (within 2 minutes). Not a good sign me thinks.

chucken1 - Was he physically in your estate? or was it just his people doing a leaflet drop. I notice that some candidates are just doing leaflet drops but are appearing in estates themselves.

chucken1

I dont know if he was actually with them! Men in coats..it was raining .

Do you mean they might call properly soon??

Lady Chatterton

chucken1 wrote: »

I dont know if he was actually with them! Men in coats..it was raining .

Do you mean they might call properly soon??

Yes, we received a leaflet drop and within the week the candidate called in person. You could always email Michael McNamara. I have attached a link. Must admit I'm not usually a labour voter but I like the look of him on paper, he does seem to have a brain. Like you I would like to know about him too. I reckon Clare FM and Champion are bound to do profiles on each of the candidates in the near future.

http://www.labour.ie/michaelmcnamara/biography.html

Lady Chatterton

Clare FM's Morning Focus programme held an election debate amongst the Clare candidates last week. Here is the link

http://clare.fm/music/MorningFocus

I haven't had an opportunity to listen to it myself yet so can't comment on how good or bad the programme was.

chucken1

MrsD007 wrote: »

Clare FM's Morning Focus programme held an election debate amongst the Clare candidates last week. Here is the link

http://clare.fm/music/MorningFocus

I haven't had an opportunity to listen to it myself yet so can't comment on how good or bad the programme was.

I've deliberately stayed away from Boards for the last 10 days because I needed to!! Talk about being overwhelmed..
Ta MrsD007 for the link..but I didnt listen..yet..I will though.

I've had ONE candidate at my door..ONE! Oh loads of c*ap posted at your and mine expense(well not mine cos Im on social welfare..therefore a scurge, according to lots of posters on Boards.ie)

Anyway..when I just thought I'll vote for the best of a seriously bad lot..Last night I got the most disgusting leaflet through the door!

I wont say anything..but has anyone got Mr Mc Cabes leaflet?..

To say Im horrified is a bluudy understatement.

I'll refer to sentence 5 on his "race" point..or the whole lot of it. :mad:

CptSternn

Michael McNamara screwed his chances on the radio the other day. He says he supports letting Limerick annex chunks of Co. Clare.

Lady Chatterton

CptSternn wrote: »

Michael McNamara screwed his chances on the radio the other day. He says he supports letting Limerick annex chunks of Co. Clare.

That won't go down too well in parts of East Clare.... what was his reasoning behind backing the border extension?

CiaranMT

CptSternn wrote: »

Michael McNamara screwed his chances on the radio the other day. He says he supports letting Limerick annex chunks of Co. Clare.

I'm living in East Clare and would agree with the move. Limerick City needs to be governed properly and this move will help. Another reason I'm going to vote for McNamara.

chucken1

CiaranMT wrote: »

I'm living in East Clare and would agree with the move. Limerick City needs to be governed properly and this move will help. Another reason I'm going to vote for McNamara.

Can you explain this please?? What does Limerick city's governing have to do with Clare??

CiaranMT

chucken1 wrote: »

Can you explain this please?? What does Limerick city's govering have to do with Clare??

Gonna try and find a post I wrote in the Limerick forum on this.

Oonagh75

I wish I could vote with my two feet but I must stay! It is a very poor choice we have in Clare but I wish Shane Ross the best of luck in his constituency.

CiaranMT

It was actually here in Clare I wrote about it, here's my thoughts on the topic (Link to post):

CiaranMT wrote:

By including these areas in the Limerick city area (along with Raheen, Castletroy etc) the authority will be able to better coordinate and manage planning. I mean, look at the absolute mess that's been made of the Corbally area, it's an absolute joke to try and get through during rush hour. Same with the Limerick County areas. Limerick is just hard to get through, and this needs to change in order for it to develop.

Here I was talking about the thousands of residents who live in Shannon Banks, Westbury etc, who are in Clare atm. Road and infrastructure planning would be better co-ordinated under a single authority, to better suit the needs of these residents who spend large parts of their time in Limerick.

It is a long term, rather than a quick fix, element to the development of the city. If you have one authority, rather than 3, you won't find that this sort of attitude exists, where everyone's pulling in their own direction; Clare Co. Co. their way, Limerick Ci. Co. another way, and Limerick Co. Co. another way again. There's no cohesion at the minute, which is one of the causes of the doughnut ring we see forming around the city centre.

One authority, and one focus on how to improve the city is what's needed. A major part of this is the growing of business. The whole of the Mid West will benefit, not just the city of Limerick.

Basically, the focus should be on the greater Mid-West region.

We have to move away from this 'Get away from our land, 'tis Clare!' mentality.

Lady Chatterton

Being officially part of Limerick will mean increased home and car insurance premiums, there is a price to be paid for every thing. The other thing is that a lot of Limerick people spend a good part of their day in Shannon so following your argument, we should be getting ready for the great Shannon giveaway very shortly

CiaranMT

MrsD007 wrote: »

Being officially part of Limerick will mean increased home and car insurance premiums, there is a price to be paid for every thing. The other thing is that a lot of Limerick people spend a good part of their day in Shannon so following your argument, we should be getting ready for the great Shannon giveaway very shortly

That due to the higher crime rate I'm guessing? I don't see how changing the address from Clare to Limerick on your policy (if you're living in Westbury/Shannon Banks) would affect insurance. Or maybe you mean something else? I'm sorry, it's just your point isn't all that clear.

You can't deny the point that a huge amount of people come in from SE Clare to work, shop and do business in the city. Making this easier and more attractive for these people is important for Clare and the Mid-West in general.

Clareman

I have to admit it never stops to amuse me when people start getting antsey over lines on maps, but millions have been killed over lines so I'm clearly in the minority in regards to that mindset

CiaranMT

Clareman wrote: »

I have to admit it never stops to amuse me when people start getting antsey over lines on maps, but millions have been killed over lines so I'm clearly in the minority in regards to that mindset

Said the jersey-wearing Clareman :pac:

I'm with you on that though. Einstein has a quote along the lines of Nationalism being among the most infantile of diseases.

chucken1

CiaranMT wrote: »

It was actually here in Clare I wrote about it, here's my thoughts on the topic (Link to post):



Here I was talking about the thousands of residents who live in Shannon Banks, Westbury etc, who are in Clare atm. Road and infrastructure planning would be better co-ordinated under a single authority, to better suit the needs of these residents who spend large parts of their time in Limerick.



Basically, the focus should be on the greater Mid-West region.

We have to move away from this 'Get away from our land, 'tis Clare!' mentality.

I cant help but wonder if you would feel this way if, lets say,the extension was sneaking in from the Montpelier side??

Lady Chatterton

This might seem over simplistic to you Ciaran MT but if you have two children and your neighbour has eight. I'd imagine you wouldn't be too keen to give over a large portion of your back garden because your neighbour is over populated

I note your O'Briens Bridge address, a lovely part of the world. I enjoyed many a meal in the Old Mill before it closed down, but how would you feel if the Mount Pellier boys annexed O'Briensbridge and your kids ended up playing for Limerick???

CiaranMT

chucken1 wrote: »

I cant help but wonder if you would feel this way if, lets say,the extension was sneaking in from the Montpelier side??

I don't see the point of this question. O' Briensbridge isn't Westbury. It has a far lower population density and far less traffic.

However, IF the roles were reversed and I lived in Westbury/Shannon Banks, I'd have no problem with the boundary extension in this case either. I'd prefer to live in an area with one authority making decisions that best suits the sizeable population of the area, rather than two or three.

I'd still be a Clareman too. An imaginary line in the ground won't change that.

MrsD007 wrote: »

This might seem over simplistic to you Ciaran MT but if you have two children and your neighbour has eight. I'd imagine you wouldn't be too keen to give over a large portion of your back garden because your neighbour is over populated

You're right, that is a bit too simplistic.

I note your O'Briens Bridge address, a lovely part of the world. I enjoyed many a meal in the Old Mill before it closed down, but how would you feel if the Mount Pellier boys annexed O'Briensbridge and your kids ended up playing for Limerick???

Like I said to chucken above.

This all seems to be a very tribal GAA thing, on the side of people who oppose the extension.

chucken1

Oh Lord no...its not a Gaa thing with me..at all. I was just curious as to how it would affect people.

Lady Chatterton

Ciaran MT - I can see you wearing the green and white jersey. Are you sure you are not a Limerick refugee?

CiaranMT

MrsD007 wrote: »

Ciaran MT - I can see you wearing the green and white jersey. Are you sure you are not a Limerick refugee?

Precisely my point...

No! I'm a Clare man by way of Kerry and Tipperary!

Lady Chatterton

CiaranMT wrote: »

Precisely my point...

No! I'm a Clare man by way of Kerry and Tipperary!

I'm intrigued, what do you mean? I presume you mean your parents are from Tipp & Kerry.

CiaranMT

Aye.

Lady Chatterton

I'm living in Killaloe so I understand and I'm so interested in the boundary issue, it is not about GAA for me. Amazingly, in Killaloe we find that some Ballina folk claim to be from Co. Clare.

chucken1

CiaranMT wrote: »

Aye.

I must do some homework and find you :pac:..only messin!!
Is'nt it lovely in here with no bad feelings :cool:
Anyway folks..back on track...Im still as confused as ever on who to vote for.
I had someone for Hillary here today and my blood pressure went through the roof :mad:

Then tonight I had Joe Carey. I have to say he seemed a nice man,but Im very gullable

chucken1

MrsD007 wrote: »

I'm living in Killaloe so I understand and I'm so interested in the boundary issue, it is not about GAA for me. Amazingly, in Killaloe we find that some Ballina folk claim to be from Co. Clare.

Ah lads..we're all neighbours