Post your actual political views.

TheInquisitor

I thought it would be interesting to get people to post 10 of their political views and the top five being the ones that matter the most to them.

1:) I am pro nuclear energy. Preferably 2-4 small plants so if any go offline the others can pick up the slack.

2:) I think public sector wages are still too high.

3:) The semi states are a disgrace. The wages paid are utter madness. The waste is unbelievable. I would want to bring in someone from outside the companies and link their wages and bonuses to savings. If they earn 2-3 million fair enough as long as they save 10 times that amount.

4:) I am pro the legalisation of drugs. The war on drugs has been going on for 30 years and we are in a worse positition now than ever. At least out in the open we can control the quality and tax them.

5:) Business rates need to come down dramatically

6:) Im open to the possibility of food stamps or something like that so people on social welfare can't spend any money on drink or smokes.

7:) Prison sentences in this country are absolutely crazy. If you get 5-10 convictions you should be getting min 2 years in prison so thats why im also for the building of more jails.

8:) I think its good that the minimum wage was dropped by a Euro. Simply compare the Irish and English minimum wages and there isn't any other option

9:) I think Irish should continue to be mandatory.

10:) AND GET RID OF THE BLOODY AIR TAX!!

RandolphEsq

Not necessarily my main views but;
1. Capitalist; it's possible for everybody in the country to be middle class, and any apparent differences in class are only relative. With the right economic management this is very possible.

2. Energy; the end of an oil supply will mean that we will require alternative energy suppliers from renewable to non-renewable such as nuclear power.

3. Crime and punishment; prison only for the more serious of crimes. And prison should be a place of reformation where a stay is determined by the likelihood of reoffending, not a place to hold a person until it is viewed that they have 'served their time'.

mike65

I believe in

Parliamentary democracy
The market
Regulation of the market (see 1929, 1991, 2007 etc)
Personal choice and social freedoms
The right to a private life
The absolute seperation of church and state
Honesty and accountability of those who hold public office
The law treating everyone equally and fairly, esp those in white collar positions who are corrupt.
A diverse mix of power sources both public and privately funded, and public ownership of the power grid.

and some other stuff.

Liamario

Complete removal of party system
Rewriting of the constitution
Massive reduction in minister pay
Massive reduction in living standards in prisons
Ban on any hunting where the kill is not consumed
Ban on all non renewable energies.
Reduction in beef production
No unemployment benefit for those who have never worked. They must earn their money.
Overhaul leaving cert. points system (continuous assessment)
Overhauling of entrance requirements (legal and medical area specifically)

I could go on...

liveline

I think we should do more to help struggling developers. And I feel very sorry for Ivor Callely. I think Sean Fitzpatrick is a scapegoat and actually a very decent human being. Bertie was the best Taoiseach ever. And I think the carers allowance is far too high.

BOHtox

Liamario wrote: »

Complete removal of party system
Rewriting of the constitution
Massive reduction in minister pay
Massive reduction in living standards in prisons
Ban on any hunting where the kill is not consumed
Ban on all non renewable energies.
Reduction in beef production
No unemployment benefit for those who have never worked. They must earn their money.
Overhaul leaving cert. points system (continuous assessment)
Overhauling of entrance requirements (legal and medical area specifically)

I could go on...

There wouldn't be not half enough energy to power the world if that was implemented.
There's also a huge shortage of food worldwide. Why make that shortage bigger?

Liamario

BOHtox wrote: »

There wouldn't be not half enough energy to power the world if that was implemented.
There's also a huge shortage of food worldwide. Why make that shortage bigger?

My points were aimed at Ireland more than globally. One country at a time. Mine first please.

mike65

BOHtox, baning beef won't increase world hunger as only the rich eat beef, indeed the rich eat the overwhelming majority of farmed animal meats. Everone else is mainly on breads, rice, cereals, pulses, fruits, starches.

Beef production is outrageously expensive on an environmental level.

Paul.M92

1. All the old parties NEED to be disbanded and allow the younger generation to take charge.
2. Any person running for government should be made to take an IQ test so that only intellegent people can get in.
3. Less posters, more people contact.
4. There should be more local debates where people can raise their concerns.
5. Ministers should pay for their own car transport.
6. Monorails for large cities and electric tram systems connecting smaller towns. This would allow non-drivers in rural towns and villages (Mainly young people) to travel out to towns that have connection to the rail network.
7. A better rail network needs to be implemented as this will reduce the amount of cars used and comply with the kyoto agreement in Ireland which hopes to reduce our emissions to 13% by 2012. (which at the moment we have no chance of hitting). If we cannot do this we will be fined and our economy will suffer heavily.

Uriel.

1. Energy - establishment of a nuclear power grid - movement away from oil. Peat and gas based energy creation.

2. Political system - a nationally elected president or Taoiseach to run the country with a checks and balance parliament system and vice versa. Similar to the US. (if the presidnt or taoiseach will have the power, than the other office to be abolished). Abolish the Seanad, empower local authorities with responsibility, power and finances.

3. Prisons - a small number of large penitentiaries. One for each province maybe. Or 1 reserved for the worst of the worst in a centralised location and the rest regionalised. They should be large and can gain economies of scale perhaps. Prisoners should be forced to work on public service contracts - roads, maintenance etc..

4. Prison sentences. Real minimum sentences and longer sentences. Murder should be minimum of 30 years with on hope of parole until at least the 30yrs are up. Repeat offenders should be handed down long sentences on an incremental basis. I.e. If this is your tenth time charged for robbery, you should get a minimum term of say 5 years plus 1 year for each previous conviction - 5 + 9 = 14 years - serving the full term, no good behaviour etc

5. Public transport - proper electrified light rail/subway networks in all cities and a move away from buses in the central areas of these cities. Also should be looked at with a view to non-staffed subways -I.e centrally controlled by computer rather than driver operated.

6. Health care - something like what is being proposed by Fine Gael. Everyone should have access to health care but everyone should pay something towards their care

7. Social welfare - make it very unattractive to be unemployed. After a period of time, convert 80% of the cash dole payments to food stamps, electricity/oil/gas credits. Reduce minimum wage.

8. Public sector - reduce wages and most Importanty reduce numbers, re-centralise. I favour a public service campus, where all government Departments have their HQs in one zone, served by light rail transport, where all workers work in one zone and the government can gain economies of scale in practically everything.

I'll think of more later.

Uriel.

Paul.M92 wrote: »

1. All the old parties NEED to be disbanded and allow the younger generation to take charge.
2. Any person running for government should be made to take an IQ test so that only intellegent people can get in.
3. Less posters, more people contact.
4. There should be more local debates where people can raise their concerns.
5. Ministers should pay for their own car transport.

Have you any views outside of the election campaigns?

Do you honestly think national elections should (continue) to focus on local "debate" issues?

BOHtox

mike65 wrote: »

BOHtox, baning beef won't increase world hunger as only the rich eat beef, indeed the rich eat the overwhelming majority of farmed animal meats. Everone else is mainly on breads, rice, cereals, pulses, fruits, starches.

Beef production is outrageously expensive on an environmental level.

Liamario wrote: »

My points were aimed at Ireland more than globally. One country at a time. Mine first please.

Liamario wrote: »

Complete removal of party system
Rewriting of the constitution
Massive reduction in minister pay
Massive reduction in living standards in prisons
Ban on any hunting where the kill is not consumed
Ban on all non renewable energies.
Reduction in beef production
No unemployment benefit for those who have never worked. They must earn their money.
Overhaul leaving cert. points system (continuous assessment)
Overhauling of entrance requirements (legal and medical area specifically)

I could go on...

Beef is one of our largest exports. We would then have to import it due to less of it being produced here. Our high exports and positive balance of trade are the only good things we have at the moment.

gandalf

1. Reform of the way we elect the Dail via a total list system with reduction of TD's to 100.
2. Severe reduction of the number of Councils with elected councillors becoming proper paid positions with real local power.
3. Create an environment where Government nurtures SME's and creates an atmosphere where they can prosper, rather than strangle them with costs and red tape and crazy rent.
4. Make it attractive for companies to hire people and for people to take up jobs from unemployment.
5. Health Care reform exactly as per FG's proposals.
6. Root and file reform of the PS with the flattening of structures so they are the same as any management structure. Reduction in numbers and a system of proper appraisals and responsibilities implemented.
7. Education removal of compulsory Irish and the addition of at least 2 European languages at primary level and the addition of Chinese and Polish at 2nd level with a five year review to ensure we are covering language skills for all future markets.
8. A proper incentive for companies to develop our wave & wind energy to meet the countries needs and to hopefully export excess energy.
9. Remove Motor Tax and replace it with an additional couple of cent on a litre of fuel. The more you drive the more tax you pay.
10. A review and re-write of the constitution to reflect the changed Ireland of today.

Paul.M92

Uriel. wrote: »

Have you any views outside of the election campaigns?

Do you honestly think national elections should (continue) to focus on local "debate" issues?

Yes I do but at the moment the election has to be our number 1 priority. Without a competant government we can not advance in any way. We need a government that can resurrect our country or we can never move into the next era.

Topper Harley01

In no particular order, I promise the electorate:

Double the number of Gardai in the country. Every village to have a minimum of two Gardai, who operate on the 'broken window' theory

• Major crackdown on public disorder, drunkenness, anti-social behaviour. On the spot fines permitted; parents financially accountable for under-age delinquents.

• Every Garda station to have a drunk tank, which would be used liberally.

• Spirits, particularly vodka, to be hit with 90% tax.

• Fly tipping and rubbish dumping to be cracked down on. Immediate seizure of vehicles permitted.

• Zero tolerance with criminal gangs.

• Major investment in Criminal Assets Bureau. White collar crime/fraud to be a prime focus.

• Change in legislation to permit seizure of personal and family wealth in certain conditions. No more transferring wealth to relations.

• Jails to be designated low risk, medium risk, and high risk. Low risk to entail Fas courses, education classes, college courses, physical labour.

• Community service to comprise of council work/physical tasks.

• Assaults on emergency workers/hospital staff to carry automatic minimum 6 month sentence; seizure of assets if compensation not paid. Right to refuse violent patients.

• Murder of Gardai or Defence Force personnel=mandatory life sentence.

• Premeditated murder to mean life without parole.

• Offshore fishing to be banned off West Coast for ten years to ensure re-stocking of Atlantic supply. Local fishermen rehired to encourage plankton growth by depositing minerals with converted trawlers. Boats tracked via GPS.

• Review of contract with Shell for offshore production owing to corruption with Ray Burke.

• High speed broadband rollout to be completed immediately. Low risk prisoners trained to help with installation.

• Social Welfare card to be replaced with Social Welfare Credit Card (SWCC), which has thumb print, and photo ID encrypted. Topped up weekly with sign on, cash no longer an option. SWCC only valid for household goods. (No booze, gamling, or cigarettes.) Any fraud results in asset seizures.

• Persistent criminals denied social welfare.

• Abolish cash-all money to be digital i.e. credit/debit cards. Bank cards to be accepted at checkouts, as in US/Canada.

• Building of bridge to UK, and high speed maglev train direct to London. Encouragement of British national to live in Dublin, work in UK to encourage property market. Tax relief status for first 2 years.

• Major investment in renewable energy-Ireland to lead Europe in green energy exportation.

• Review of objection laws/NIMBY-ism.

• Prevention of minority status for travellers. Major overhaul of social welfare grants for same.

• Development of reliable, clean public transport. Transport police to effect zero tolerance for junkies and anti-social behaviour.

• Etiquette to be mandatory for Junior Cert.

• Free sterilisation for anyone who wishes-Long term contraception also free. Condoms to be provided free of charge in all social outlets.

• Removal of children from habitual criminals, drug addicts, alcoholics.

• Major campaign against sexual abusers, particularly in the Church. Assets to be seized for compensation. Prosecutions mandatory, age no excuse.

• Instant deportation of bogus asylum seekers/economic migrants, who are liable for costs. Genuine asylum seekers to be fast tracked and granted work status with 3 months maximum.

• Ghost estates to be developed and given to low income workers; work to be provided by apprentice tradesmen, who also qualify for the houses.

• Abolish neutrality, join NATO.

• Immediate departure from EU, but remain within European Free Trade Area. Sovereignty to be restored to Ireland.

• Re-introduce Punt, immediately devalue.

• And lastly.....transfer of executive power to self appointed President for life, Topper Harley. Viva el Presidente!

Uriel.

Paul.M92 wrote: »

Yes I do but at the moment the election has to be our number 1 priority. Without a competant government we can not advance in any way. We need a government that can resurrect our country or we can never move into the next era.

I don't think it was the point of the op to be so narrowly focused though. Tw OP can correct me if I am wrong though

elefant

Two things I'd really like to see are

1. Legalisation of soft drugs like in the Netherlands. Would earn us a lot of money in taxes and tourism, and is no more dangerous (I'd say less dangerous) than alcohol.

2. Building of loads of wind farms like in Germany. They have something like 100,000+ people employed in wind energy. We have a windy climate, so we could use this to create jobs and sell excess energy.

Other obvious things like clamping down on social welfare fraud go without saying I think.

mike65

Topper Harley01, if you ran with that list of commitments you'd probably be the least successful politician of all time

bleg

Fiscal conservative social liberal.

upmeath

Pro-increasing taxes to fund universal egalitarian healthcare a la Nordic countries.
Pro-separation of church and state
Pro-abortion
Pro-decriminalisation of cannabis
Pro-nuclear, pro-renewables
Pro-water charges Discourage waste but don't burden householders, a small fixed annual sum would do the job.
Anti-GM You are what you eat
Pro-neutrality, pacifist, but that might be complicated by my stance as...
Pro-EU federalism If we integrated further instead of clinging to ideas of nationalism we'd have sorted this shíte out sooner - look to the U.S., the show must go on whether California crumbles or Ohio's unemployed, strength in unity.
Anti-population profiling, state surveillance
Reduce Dáil to 100 TDs representing 20 amalgamated constituencies of 5 candidates each, reason being that each constituency would most likely return a clear majority verdict in favour of one party/coalition or another each time.
Pro-United Ireland It's just not feasible until we balance our books and boom again
Pro-progressive taxation Earn more, pay more, earn less, pay less. Born equal, at least be given a chance to live and die equal.
Pro-free education
Pro-party list system the only way to destroy civil war and parish pump politics in this country.

mgmt

Reduce the Dail to about 100
Get rid of PR-STV
Cull the Civil/Public Service
Privatise Dublin Bus
Stop subsidies for wind power
Reverse all carbon taxes
Cull foreign aid
Stop all foreign peacekeeping missions
Increase naval and customs spending
Massive increase in prison space
Force long term prison sentences
Mandatory privatised health insurance
Strict CBA for all infrastructure projects
Allow all Irish passport holders to vote for President
Privatise the water supply
Cull the number of county councils
Strict secular constitution
No religion in schools with public funding

upmeath

mgmt wrote: »

...
Strict CBA for all infrastructure projects
Allow all Irish passport holders to vote for President
Privatise the water supply
...

Even the Israeli and Russian spies?

mgmt

upmeath wrote: »

Even the Israeli and Russian spies?

Only the hot ones :P

ArtSmart

liveline wrote: »

I think we should do more to help struggling developers. And I feel very sorry for Ivor Callely. I think Sean Fitzpatrick is a scapegoat and actually a very decent human being. Bertie was the best Taoiseach ever. And I think the carers allowance is far too high.

also, dole scroungers should be shot, liquidised, dyed a soylent green and used as feed.
plus blind people dont need money - i mean, they're hardly going discoing n stuff. and as for the disabled...

gandalf

gandalf wrote: »

1. Reform of the way we elect the Dail via a total list system with reduction of TD's to 100.
2. Severe reduction of the number of Councils with elected councillors becoming proper paid positions with real local power.
3. Create an environment where Government nurtures SME's and creates an atmosphere where they can prosper, rather than strangle them with costs and red tape and crazy rent.
4. Make it attractive for companies to hire people and for people to take up jobs from unemployment.
5. Health Care reform exactly as per FG's proposals.
6. Root and file reform of the PS with the flattening of structures so they are the same as any management structure. Reduction in numbers and a system of proper appraisals and responsibilities implemented.
7. Education removal of compulsory Irish and the addition of at least 2 European languages at primary level and the addition of Chinese and Polish at 2nd level with a five year review to ensure we are covering language skills for all future markets.
8. A proper incentive for companies to develop our wave & wind energy to meet the countries needs and to hopefully export excess energy.
9. Remove Motor Tax and replace it with an additional couple of cent on a litre of fuel. The more you drive the more tax you pay.
10. A review and re-write of the constitution to reflect the changed Ireland of today.

I'm voting for Gandalf!

ArtSmart

upmeath wrote: »

Pro-increasing taxes to fund universal egalitarian healthcare a la Nordic countries.
Pro-separation of church and state
Pro-abortion
Pro-decriminalisation of cannabis
Pro-nuclear, pro-renewables
Pro-water charges Discourage waste but don't burden householders, a small fixed annual sum would do the job.
Anti-GM You are what you eat
Pro-neutrality, pacifist, but that might be complicated by my stance as...
Pro-EU federalism If we integrated further instead of clinging to ideas of nationalism we'd have sorted this shíte out sooner - look to the U.S., the show must go on whether California crumbles or Ohio's unemployed, strength in unity.
Anti-population profiling, state surveillance
Reduce Dáil to 100 TDs representing 20 amalgamated constituencies of 5 candidates each, reason being that each constituency would most likely return a clear majority verdict in favour of one party/coalition or another each time.
Pro-United Ireland It's just not feasible until we balance our books and boom again
Pro-progressive taxation Earn more, pay more, earn less, pay less. Born equal, at least be given a chance to live and die equal.
Pro-free education
Pro-party list system the only way to destroy civil war and parish pump politics in this country.

+1 - except i dont think we should reduce Dail representation and the list system is tricky . oh and i'll steal (and revamp)one from Gandalf as well. (below)

Severe some reduction of the number of Councils with elected councillors becoming proper paid positions with real local power
but also not allowed to become TDs.

ArtSmart

Topper Harley01 wrote: »

• • Social Welfare card to be replaced with Social Welfare Credit Card (SWCC), which has thumb print, and photo ID encrypted. Topped up weekly with sign on, cash no longer an option. SWCC only valid for household goods. (No booze, gamling, or cigarettes.)

but then what's the point of getting the bloody dole???

Sergeant

Low tax economy.
Small government.
An emphasis on the teaching of mathematics and sciences in primary and post-primary education.
A drastically reduced welfare system.
An emphasis on the responsibilities of a person, and the promotion of the concept of self-sufficiency.
Minimal state involvement in the private life of the individual.

BOHtox

Why privatise Dublin Bus? It's making a loss. The only reason it's still open is through government funding. If it was privatised, a lot of routes would shut down leading to a shítload more cars on the road.
You must factor social and economic policy

mgmt

BOHtox wrote: »

Why privatise Dublin Bus? It's making a loss. The only reason it's still open is through government funding. If it was privatised, a lot of routes would shut down leading to a shítload more cars on the road.
You must factor social and economic policy

I've discussed this in other threads. Dublin Bus offers a ****e, expensive service atm. Putting routes to tender like in London will offer real value to Dubliners. Look at what happened to the intercity bus market when competition was introduced, WiFi, toilets, lower fares, online booking, online positioning, better more comfortable buses, better timetables...

upmeath

Further to previous post...

Maintenance of 12.5% Corporate Tax rate
Anti-EU tax harmonisation - If EU federalism is inevitable we should contribute a minuscule amount to sustain a small, directly-elected EU in Brussels but each member state must dictate its own tax rates, as per U.S.. Each state decides where its contribution to Brussels comes from (i.e. whether it's from the income tax take or elsewhere) and each member state contributes according to population and their ability to contribute (GNP).
Brussels to become an EU federal district a la Brasilia, District of Colombia, Mexico City, Canberra. With the seemingly inevitable demise and disintegration of the Kingdom of Belgium, currently held together using cement and horse whiskers, Flanders and Wallonia look set to go their separate ways, in which event the Brussels Capital Region will become Europe's geographically independent Federal District (with a slight boundary change Walloons want anyway)
Anti-religious education or management of state-funded schools
Pro-gay rights, gay marriage, gay adoption rights
Anti-gender quotas - If we legislate for minimum numbers of female candidates, every minority in the country will have grounds to justify targeted representation. Dividing the population 166 ways, our Polish and Nigerian constituencies are due the representation of 2 TDs each, and the Travelling community 1, and the unemployed 20-odd. It's a bullshít concept.
Deregulation of the drinks industry - The very idea that central government can dictate the time of day someone can drink at or until is, as George Hook might say, balderdash. "Why don't we put drinking hours back a few hours in winter when it gets dark earlier sure?"
More personal freedom In the absence of national sovereignty we've a duty to protect individual liberties. Don't throw away your own personal decision-making with regard to when you drink, what you smoke, whether or not you have a child at 17, how your child is educated, so on... I'd describe myself as a libertarian, but I believe certain safeguards are needed to ensure a fairer society. Welfare is needed to support society's vulnerable. Education and healthcare should be egalitarian and universally accessible. In terms of personal choices, the scope for government interference in individual life should be reduced, government should serve people and not vice versa.

liveline

srsly78 wrote: »

My political views would involve shooting a lot of people so I'm not really allowed to post them.

You'll be voting Sinn Fein then I take it

Amtmann

• Amalgamation of many county councils into regional councils
• Reduce the number of TDs and introduce a list system
• Complete separation of Church and State
• Make all subjects optional after the Junior Certificate
• Introduce foreign languages and IT skills at primary school
• Outlaw one-off housing and concentrate the population in towns and villages
• Set a target to grow the population of Cork City by 100,000, Limerick by 50,000 and Galway by 50,000 and connect these by motorway
• Upgrade the N17, N22, N21, N24, N25, N28 and A5 to dual carriageway standard
• Delivery of DART Underground and Metro North
• End urban sprawl and introduce more high rise buildings in our cities
• Develop nuclear power within Ireland
• Make gym membership 70% tax deductable and promote physical health
• Legalise and regulate prostitution and cannabis
• Create more national parks and increase Ireland's broadleaf woodlands to 15% of land area for recreational and wildlife purposes
• Introduce a tree-planting initiative in all Irish towns (our towns have very few trees)
• Outlaw the removal of hedgerows

hare05

A) steal all ideas from Topper Harley and Gandalf. Give Topper the presidency but reduce his power Token position.

Wind power, hydro power, wave power, some nuclear power as backup. National control of the grid, private companies generating. Tax breaks for companies that achieve environmental targets.

Free healthcare for all life threatening / crippling medical issues. Increase taxes to make up the extra.

Abolish the current tax system. New tax system involving 3 major points of income.
Income tax: knock it up a few points. Incrementally by income. Earn more, pay more. Only small increments, though.
Fuel tax: drive more? Pay more. Anything involving the use of imported energy gets a nice tax dropped on it. Once green energy eventually (years away) becomes enough (inc nuclear) add this tax to gas / peat.

Public transport overhaul. Unified ticket system for all forms of transport in city. Think like Zurich.

Dole credit card to take place of dole cash. Unused amounts on the card are lost at each sign on, no saving your bread until you earn it.

For the homeless: (homeless meaning anyone witno fixed abode or with no employment.) as long as ghost estates exist, use them. seize the land from dodgy developers, have those on the dole work on finishing the houses, and on public transport initiatives. offer the houses on a no interest mortgage system until they can find employment, then charge 1% interest on the remainder of the houses value. they cannot sell the house for monetary gain for 20 years. uses the houses, offers incentive to be productive for those not employed, trains them to do a job, gives them experience, gets public sector jobs done on a lower budget, and gets the homeless off the streets, into a house to earn for themselves.

Legalize gay marriage, new legislation for transgender rights, treatment covered by healthcare just like any other debilitating condition. Full adoption rights for all, with new parents vetted thoroughly to ensure no matter who adopts, they actually can raise a child.

No more stealth taxes, just one big chunk of your pay and supplemental taxes where it would help environmental initiatives.

Education overhaul, continuous assessment, focus on math, science and multilingualism from primary. Offer English, and 2 European languages of the schools choosing. Gaelscoils can choose Irish if they want.
Also focus on usable skills. IT skills like programming (really useful mindset to use in any situation), problem solving, and a focus on health with time dedicated each day to health and fitness.
Secondary gives a wider range of languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Indian, middle eastern languages, etc. Sciences as a general subject for 2 years and then focused sciences for the remainder. Math focused on understanding of mathematical concepts, option of theoretical math. Greater focus on self sufficiency, with a life class that covers cooking, hygiene, basic business concepts, budgeting, writing cvs, etc.
Third level fees low for first timers but high if you repeat. When you get in you bloody well work.

ill leave it at that for now. pick holes in it please as I know its not realistic to expect all this.

Dwellingdweller

TheInquisitor wrote: »

4:) I am pro the legalisation of drugs. The war on drugs has been going on for 30 years and we are in a worse positition now than ever. At least out in the open we can control the quality and tax them.

there's no war on drugs OP. the war on drugs that exists in the minds of western people is like the war on drugs that goes on in a mum's head when she finds out her son's been smoking grass. a war with itself.

anyway! my political views? I think the system we live in is totally doomed to catastrophic failure and that the slightest intervention in a capitalist system puts it on a collision course with failure. you constantly hear "capitalists" (like the ones in power in this country) saying that in a capitalist system it is "survival of the fittest". but it's not. the dole makes sure of that. the only way for a capitalist country to stand firmly on both it's feet is for it to be totally laissez-faire. you wouldn't see London paupers in the 1800s asking for the f'in dole so why do we think we're entitled to it now? :rolleyes:

totally biting the hand that feeds here btw.

upmeath

Tremelo wrote: »

• Amalgamation of many county councils into regional councils

Agree, the way local government works needs massive restructuring.
The country could probably be divided along old provincial boundaries for administrative purposes, but I'd imagine a more efficient and centralised method might be something along the lines of:
The existing 4 subdivisions in Dublin - City, Fingal, South and DLR
1 regional body for development in the Greater Dublin Area - Meath, Kildare, Wicklow. I'd also include Louth for argument's sake because it's close enough, one of our most urbanised counties and its along the M1 corridor.
2 regional councils for the remainder of Leinster, 1 north, 1 south, the northern portion taking in Cavan and Monaghan, the south taking in Waterford
3 regional bodies for Munster: 1 rural, 1 for Cork city, 1 for Limerick city
3 regional bodies for Connacht and Donegal - Galway city, 1 for south, 1 for Sligo upwards
There you go, instead of 30-odd county, city and borough councils you've 13, the smallest of them catering to city regions of 80,000 (Galway or Limerick, the largest just under 500,000 (Dublin City). Geographically, some of them might be a bit loose, but motor tax and planning and the likes are all likely to go online within a few years and trips to county hall will become redundant.

Tremelo wrote:

• Delivery of DART Underground and Metro North

Not a very contentious issue, but I have my doubts about DART Underground. The Luas red line gets you most of the way there already, and if you really need to get from Heuston to Pearse I'd be getting the Luas to Connolly and going over the Butt Bridge either on foot or on the next southbound DART.
In terms of Metro construction, I'm for building 6 lines. Now. We should do this while construction costs are low, get the whole city connected. I'm just not sure if the route is there for DART Underground, does it not make the red Luas redundant? Or vice versa?

Amtmann

upmeath wrote: »

Not a very contentious issue, but I have my doubts about DART Underground. The Luas red line gets you most of the way there already, and if you really need to get from Heuston to Pearse I'd be getting the Luas to Connolly and going over the Butt Bridge either on foot or on the next southbound DART.
In terms of Metro construction, I'm for building 6 lines. Now. We should do this while construction costs are low, get the whole city connected. I'm just not sure if the route is there for DART Underground, does it not make the red Luas redundant? Or vice versa?

Come into my parlour...

bradlente

The big minister pensions need to be drastically reduced,along with the ability to still hold other pensions at the same time.Also TD pay should be reduced a bit,with expense accounts cut a lot too.None of this chauffeur nonsense either.

SW needs to be a cut a good bit,Hopefully not necessarily soon but in the long run it needs to be about 5/8's of what it is I'd say,tbh thats a number I just picked and assume would be fair if the economy was in a stable situation and there were any jobs available.Maybe a target for 5-6 years time.

Rent allowance needs to either go altogether or be heavily cut.I honestly don't understand its purpose as a benefit to a tenant or to the government,If someone wants to fill me in please do:)

The public sector seems a right mess.The ruthless way would be go at it with a hatchet and cut left right and centre.I'd say just look at it from the top down,The big earners who have been in there for years can take big cuts or bigger taxes,if they don't like that then there out on their ear.I'm not a "tax the the rich" enthusiast but I think big earners in the public sector who have been big earners for a long time now need a BIG cut.Croke Park needs to be scrapped.

Everyone who benefited from the bailout,and involved in it,from investment bankers to property developers should have each of their cases individually analysed as regards to what deals they did where and with whom,and a special branch of gardai should be implemented to investigate EVERYONE involved,from politicians to the lad you bought your house off down the estate agents.We might not be able to get accountability from the many different parties across Europe who contributed to the demise of the economy but we damn sure need to get it from the people involved here who knew what they were doing was wrong.

All of that seems fairly basic to me and are the bare essentials of what should be looked at.I know theres plenty of other issues that need scrutiny,like electoral and legislative reform(more referendums with online interaction like Canada?)but these are the issues I feel I can relate to more right now.

poker head

TheInquisitor wrote: »

I thought it would be interesting to get people to post 10 of their political views and the top five being the ones that matter the most to them.

1:) I am pro nuclear energy. Preferably 2-4 small plants so if any go offline the others can pick up the slack.

2:) I think public sector wages are still too high.

3:) The semi states are a disgrace. The wages paid are utter madness. The waste is unbelievable. I would want to bring in someone from outside the companies and link their wages and bonuses to savings. If they earn 2-3 million fair enough as long as they save 10 times that amount.

4:) I am pro the legalisation of drugs. The war on drugs has been going on for 30 years and we are in a worse positition now than ever. At least out in the open we can control the quality and tax them.

5:) Business rates need to come down dramatically

6:) Im open to the possibility of food stamps or something like that so people on social welfare can't spend any money on drink or smokes.

7:) Prison sentences in this country are absolutely crazy. If you get 5-10 convictions you should be getting min 2 years in prison so thats why im also for the building of more jails.

8:) I think its good that the minimum wage was dropped by a Euro. Simply compare the Irish and English minimum wages and there isn't any other option

9:) I think Irish should continue to be mandatory.

10:) AND GET RID OF THE BLOODY AIR TAX!!

cabon tax?

nesf

upmeath wrote: »

Pro-water charges Discourage waste but don't burden householders, a small fixed annual sum would do the job.

A fixed annual sum would not achieve your objective because it would not discourage overuse of water. Metered charges (preferably coupled with a decent amount of "free" water [we pay for it through tax anyway]) would be the only option if you want to actually reduce water wastage.

A fixed sum would be a lot cheaper to implement but would not do anything to reduce usage unfortunately.

nesf

Short list based on general points:

• List system for all seats.
• Smaller public sector along with lower taxes (you can't have one without the other!)
• Fiscal conservatism and a commitment to balanced budgets and forward fiscal planning.
• Balanced investment policy focussing factory placement around major urban centres.
• Greater support for those with mental illness. (The selfishly biased one for me!)
• More socially progressive attitudes by Government. Pushing the boundaries more with referendums on social issues.
• Greater involvement with SME sector. Greater encouragement of entrepreneurs to start businesses. Government shouldn't try to pick winners!
• Pro-nuclear. Pro-connection to continent. Pro-wind/wave.
• More regulated asset markets (read: property sector) to try and minimise bubbles.

mike65

Tremelo wrote: »

Set a target to grow the population of Cork City by 100,000, Limerick by 50,000 and Galway by 50,000 and connect these by motorway

Can't disagree with that list but curious about the highlighted policy, seting targets for a population centre seems somewhat pointless esp in a country where said cities are a proverbial stones throw from each other, with reference to that point why seek to grow Limerick and Galway who are cheek by jowl and not even mention Waterford which has the South East to itself? The policy needs to be consistent even if its a wrong policy

Ghost Estate

Topper Harley01 wrote: »

[*]Abolish cash-all money to be digital i.e. credit/debit cards.

Why? have you something against the idea of being able to buy stuff anonymously?

TheInquisitor

poker head wrote: »

cabon tax?

What? I was talking about the Air Travel Tax?

mike65

I guess its a safety/crime/cost issue, using cash is expensive in all sorts of ways.

analucija

- I support FG public sector cuts
- Some sort of universal health insurance
- I really like FF electoral reform (and know that they have no intention implementing it)
-Church should stay out of state schools, any religious classes should be done outside state school program (that includes educate together)
- don't care about gay marriage (civil partnership offers enough legal protection) but they should be allowed to adopt children
- pro abortion
- reduction of funding to state boards or abolition of state boards
- FG's policy on welfare makes sense to me
- yes for third level fees but only if it improves education

Ghost Estate

*Constitutional amendment to ban recurring tax on the family home (to include stuff like the 'septic tank tax' the greens wanted)

*Abolish the carbon tax

*Build one decent size nuclear power plant for base-load usage and a lot more renewable generation such as hydro, wind turbines. Shut down as many coal and oil fired power stations as we can. Keep peat burning stations but use only for backup.

*Re-open Waterford to Rosslare line and as many other railway lines as possible, allow for private freight traffic. Free travel for everyone

*Leave EU but stay in EEA

*Move timezone to UTC-1, abolish daylight saving time

*Give incentive for manufacturing electric cars in Ireland, its a shame that no cars are made here.

*Use ghost estates for council housing, sell the rest off really cheap.

*Huge emphasis on civil liberties: remove government/council owned cameras, regulate their usage on private ground, remove ISP logging requirements, ban deep packet inspection.

*Start a new state owned non-profit mobile phone company with LTE (foreign owned mobile phone networks do nothing for the economy). Aim to eventually make it a community run decentralised network.

*Sell RTE

*Reduce dole, minimum wage further.

Reilly616

analucija wrote: »

- don't care about gay marriage (civil partnership offers enough legal protection)

It sounds very much like you haven't read the 2010 Act!

sink

Social liberalism
Secularism
Supranationalism

analucija

wrote: »

It sounds very much like you haven't read the 2010 Act!

Could be. For the record, I don't get the fuss around marriage in general. Right to adopt would change peoples lives a lot more than dressing as meringue for a day and getting drunk. That's why I don't see any point of having referendum on gay marriages but there should be a referendum (or legislation) on the right to adopt.

Killer Pigeon

I'm in Labour.

Therefore I don't have any political views or policies.