Sean "Bagman" Gallagher election result proved alot

jetsonx

From some commentators and Irish people's discussions at workplaces, on trains, on the radio, letters to the editor etc you would get the impression that the Irish have finally learnt their lesson when deciding who to vote for. You would think that they have had enough of Bertie Ahern-esque style politics and where that can lead a country.

But then out of my reverie, I wake up. I remember that just a couple of months ago, the Irish again were within a hairs breath of voting in another Fianna Fail shyster in a shiny suit.

Do the Irish ever learn?

goose2005

No. And anyone with a bit of ambition or dynamism is emigrating, while the superrich, farmers, the workshy and job-for-lifers are staying, so there's unlikely to be any change soon.

juan.kerr

Instead we elected some OAP more concerned with 'the arts' than the real world.

That'll learn us.

goose2005

juan.kerr wrote: »

Instead we elected some OAP more concerned with 'the arts' than the real world.

That'll learn us.

In fairness, 'the arts' is the one positive image Ireland has abroad, and in general has more to do with the real world than Sean Gallagher's imaginary Celtic Tiger "entrepreneurship".

juan.kerr

goose2005 wrote: »

In fairness, 'the arts' is the one positive image Ireland has abroad, and in general has more to do with the real world than Sean Gallagher's imaginary Celtic Tiger "entrepreneurship".

I'd rather have private sector jobs and money in the exchequer...

charlemont

goose2005 wrote: »

No. And anyone with a bit of ambition or dynamism is emigrating, while the superrich, farmers, the workshy and job-for-lifers are staying, so there's unlikely to be any change soon.

And that has been a huge problem for a long time now, It an unfortunate part of our culture since the late 1700's, Ireland could and should be a thriving nation, We have enormous benefits here that should be taken advantage of, Democracy, Freedom of worship, Close proximity to other free countries and large markets, An abundance of land and water all that's missing is organisation and will power.

Cork boy 55

In the Irish defense

(A)

Nothing was proved 100% about seanie bagman just a lot of mud thrown

(B)

The mud came very late in the campaign and the general populace
did not have time to absorb it the MM debate was only a few days before it.

(C)

the others prez candidates where very poor

(D)

Once the mud came out his vote collapsed from a huge high although still substantial

PS
not saying the mud was not right just there was no 100% smoking gun,

Ellis Dee

It was a delight to witness Martin McGuinness "lamping" that phoney recycled and rebranded effen effer Gallagher on the final Frontline programme. He did the country a huge favour and could get back to his more important job in the North knowing that he had prevented the party that ruined this country from slithering back in through the back door. I'm glad I gave Martin my no. 1 and Michael D. my number 2.

As to the question in the OP, I still haven't given up hope that the Irish will learn, but I think they'll still have to suffer a lot of hardship before the lesson really sinks in.

On the theme of a presidential election, I trudged through the snow to vote in one today. I voted for Pekka Haavisto, on the right in the picture with his civil partner. Pekka is a Green MP and massively popular with women voters, according to the latest opinion polls. My wife also voted for him and urged me to do the same, although I needed no urging.

It's unlikely that any of the candidates will get over 50% of the votes today, so the two with the highest figures will go into the second round in two weeks' time.

A nice feature of elections here is that there is always a separate desk in a polling station to receive money to be divided between a selected range of charities. It gives people a way to express their gratitude for being free and having the opportunity to help their less-fortunate fellow-citizens.

It was also nice to notice that a Nobel peace prizewinner, former President Martti Ahtisaari, and his wife Eeva were waiting their turn in the queue behind me. I bet an Irish bigwig would have jumped the queue, and few would have dared object.

goose2005

juan.kerr wrote: »

I'd rather have private sector jobs and money in the exchequer...

Except that the jobs Seanie "created" was largely with grants acquired through FF connections, and held up by the FF property bubble. His company is dead, and the only people who benefited from it were Sean and his mate.

ArmaniJeanss

Ellis Dee wrote: »

It was also nice to notice that a Nobel peace prizewinner, former President Martti Ahtisaari, and his wife Eeva were waiting their turn in the queue behind me. I bet an Irish bigwig would have jumped the queue, and few would have dared object.

Nah, the Irish politians are adept at the photo-op in the polling station. And not skipping is an important part of that. Arriving early, dressed neatly, looking prime-ministerially yet just a common man voting like any other, wife/husband in toe, handshakes outside.
Because of the ban on canvassing on polling day, its their only chance to gain an extra vote or two.

juan.kerr

Ellis Dee wrote: »

It gives people a way to express their gratitude for being free and having the opportunity to help their less-fortunate fellow-citizens.

I thought that's why we had taxes and the social welfare department etc?

thebman

juan.kerr wrote: »

I'd rather have private sector jobs and money in the exchequer...

He wouldn't have been able to create any of elected though...

Despite what he said during his election campaign. Everyone is pro-jobs. Show me one person that describes themselves as anti-jobs.

If he is that good at creating jobs, it is a good thing he didn't get elected, now he is free to solve our jobs crisis. Well lets see what he does then ....

jetsonx

thebman wrote: »

now he is free to solve our jobs crisis. Well lets see what he does then ....

Granted, the Bagman probably needs a breather after that grueling campaign. But, when the dust settles, let's see him provide those jobs. (preferably non-government sponsored jobs). Let's see the Bagman walk the talk.

What does it take to stop Irish people voting Fianna Fail and mutations of FF. Frozen bank accounts? Soup kitchens on O'Connell Street? After the Bagman nearly slithered in to power, can the Irish Voter be trusted at all?

Dr Galen

I let this one run, just to see if something good would come of it. It hasn't.

Cheers

DrG