Why the constant need to protest?

AudreyHepburn

This thread is sort of an accompaniment to my other recession related thread. This time I’m curious about why people are so intent of refusing to accept any and all measures brought in by the government to tackle the current crisis. No-one likes cuts and taxes I know and people are struggling but surely point blank refusing to even consider the benefits of the governments plans won’t do anyone favours?

So why the constant protesting? Are we really in such dire straights or is there a certain amount of ‘not in my back yard’ style protesting going on? Or to put it another way do you think all those protesting really are struggling (I don’t doubt some of them are btw) or are there those who really could handle the cuts and taxes but simply refuse to do so.

And in the case of those just won’t pay tax or take a cut even though they probably could afford to do so is it a lack of trust in the government, genuinely not agreeing with cuts/taxes or as above , a simple case of ‘not in my back yard’/ tax/cut only what doesn’t affect me personally?

John Doe1

audrey you sound like a woman:rolleyes:

Logical Fallacy

The government got off to a bad start in dealing with the whole crisis and have largely shown themselves to be inept, spineless ****s.

As such, anything and everything they do will now be met with the same reaction as a guy with "I am a convicted serial rapist" tattooed on his head asking the hot chick at the bar if he can buy her a drink.

seamus

Because the Joe Soap on the street is incapable of understanding basic economics and the people they vote in are no better. That's how we ended up in this mess in the first place.

Wattle

Protesting is a lifestyle choice.

Anyone

It gets people out of the house.

ScumLord

Because the vast majority of people haven't the first clue what's going on and the government would like to keep it that way.

Attabear

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

The government got off to a bad start in dealing with the whole crisis and have largely shown themselves to be inept, spineless ****s.

As such, anything and everything they do will now be met with the same reaction as a guy with "I am a convicted serial rapist" tattooed on his head asking the hot chick at the bar if he can buy her a drink.

Judging by how we have responded in the past to the poor behaviour of our elected representatives, it'll be along the lines of, "gee, that's an awesome tattoo, I loves tattoos, I'd better have just the one drink, after that I'm anybodys."

Bannasidhe

But Audrey - back in 1988 didn't you 'protest' about conditions in Ethopia

"I have a broken heart. I feel desperate. I can't stand the idea that two million people are in imminent danger of starving to death, many of them children, [and] not because there isn't tons of food sitting in the northern port of Shoa. It can't be distributed. Last spring, Red Cross and UNICEF workers were ordered out of the northern provinces because of two simultaneous civil wars... I went into rebel country and saw mothers and their children who had walked for ten days, even three weeks, looking for food, settling onto the desert floor into makeshift camps where they may die. Horrible. That image is too much for me. The 'Third World' is a term I don't like very much, because we're all one world. I want people to know that the largest part of humanity is suffering."

- Audrey Hepburn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Hepburn#Contributions_to_UNICEF

IM0

is there many protesting

theres your answer, most of them dont understand the changes needed Id say. and throw their toys. cant keep everyone happy all the time.

HellFireClub

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

This thread is sort of an accompaniment to my other recession related thread. This time I’m curious about why people are so intent of refusing to accept any and all measures brought in by the government to tackle the current crisis. No-one likes cuts and taxes I know and people are struggling but surely point blank refusing to even consider the benefits of the governments plans won’t do anyone favours?

So why the constant protesting? Are we really in such dire straights or is there a certain amount of ‘not in my back yard’ style protesting going on? Or to put it another way do you think all those protesting really are struggling (I don’t doubt some of them are btw) or are there those who really could handle the cuts and taxes but simply refuse to do so.

And in the case of those just won’t pay tax or take a cut even though they probably could afford to do so is it a lack of trust in the government, genuinely not agreeing with cuts/taxes or as above , a simple case of ‘not in my back yard’/ tax/cut only what doesn’t affect me personally?

If I ran up a credit card bill and then when I found out that I couldn't pay back the money, if I then went to your bank, behind your back, and told your bank that you were OK with you paying off my credit card bill, and your bank said "sure that's grand, we'll just take the money out of her account to pay your credit card bill, no need to even run it by her, sure she'll be grand", how would you feel about that???

Attabear

HellFireClub wrote: »

If I ran up a credit card bill and then when I found out that I couldn't pay back the money, if I then went to your bank, behind your back, and told your bank that you were OK with you paying off my credit card bill, and your bank said "sure that's grand, we'll just take the money out of her account to pay your credit card bill, no need to even run it by her, sure she'll be grand", how would you feel about that???

It depends, what did you buy?

Wattle

I hear a lot of grumbling but not much protesting.

Temptamperu

I would not mind so many cuts if those at the top took a few too, Lead by example and all that.

hatrickpatrick

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

This thread is sort of an accompaniment to my other recession related thread. This time I’m curious about why people are so intent of refusing to accept any and all measures brought in by the government to tackle the current crisis. No-one likes cuts and taxes I know and people are struggling but surely point blank refusing to even consider the benefits of the governments plans won’t do anyone favours?

So why the constant protesting? Are we really in such dire straights or is there a certain amount of ‘not in my back yard’ style protesting going on? Or to put it another way do you think all those protesting really are struggling (I don’t doubt some of them are btw) or are there those who really could handle the cuts and taxes but simply refuse to do so.

And in the case of those just won’t pay tax or take a cut even though they probably could afford to do so is it a lack of trust in the government, genuinely not agreeing with cuts/taxes or as above , a simple case of ‘not in my back yard’/ tax/cut only what doesn’t affect me personally?

It's injustice.
We obviously all need to contribute, but that's exactly the problem. We ALL need to contribute. That includes politicians' cronies, bank bondholders, owners of corporations, golden circle shareholders, etc.

If there wasn't so much injustice in all this I'd accept the cuts without making such a fuss. Why should I be hit over something I had absolutely zero involvement whatsoever in, when the people whose direct corruption are being bailed out by me, without my permission?

Let quinn collapse without taking money out of my pocket to pay for something which had nothing to do with me, let them pay for their OWN mistakes, let the precious bondholders lose their gambling money when their horse doesn't win, just like EVERY ordinary person. Have a proper investigation into the golden circle, Anglo, Nationwide, the regulator, the corrupt politicians, and actually hold them accountable and penalize them instead of releasing gigantic tribunal reports with no teeth, no ability to impose any penalties whatsoever.
Justice. The people whose stupidity and corruption caused this mess should be the first to walk the plank.

THEN we'll talk about austerity.

IM0

Attabear wrote: »

It depends, what did you buy?

so how many times did you have to read that to understand what was going on? be honest now, I stopped after 2, I tip my hat to you sir

can you tell me a summary of it please

curlzy

Constant protesting?? Are you serious? We don't protest nearly enough. The only decent protest I've seen was the elderly protesting the medical card, they were brilliant. Irish people could be told all the first born are going to be killed and they still wouldn't protest. All unity in Ireland is dead. The student won't march for the public servants, the public servants won't march for the elderly, the elderly won't march for the special needs issues and so on. That's why the government has gotton away with slashing and burning all the easy targets. Maybe if we grew some balls and got unified we'd see much fairer cuts. Won't hold my breath though.

Leo Dowling

Yeah just get on with it. We all screwed Anglo over by eating breakfast rolls so now we have to pay a sh1tload more tax to pay them off. Just tighten the belt and suck it up. The country will be grand after Anglo are paid up.

Bannasidhe

Attabear wrote: »

It depends, what did you buy?

Hookers

HellFireClub

curlzy wrote: »

Constant protesting?? Are you serious? We don't protest nearly enough. The only decent protest I've seen was the elderly protesting the medical card, they were brilliant. Irish people could be told all the first born are going to be killed and they still wouldn't protest. All unity in Ireland is dead. The student won't march for the public servants, the public servants won't march for the elderly, the elderly won't march for the special needs issues and so on. That's why the government has gotton away with slashing and burning all the easy targets. Maybe if we grew some balls and got unified we'd see much fairer cuts. Won't hold my breath though.

The tragedy here is that the selfish b*stards in the PS are the only people who are organised in terms of protests, etc, and they are all, funnily enough, the only group of people who are protected from this crushing austerity, apart from the only other group who will actually protest together, the pensioners!

If the private sector, the people working in small businesses, the unemployed, got organised, you would see a different scenario unfolding in this country.

Pace2008

That's some big-ass text.

hatrickpatrick

IM0 wrote: »

is there many protesting

theres your answer, most of them dont understand the changes needed Id say. and throw their toys. cant keep everyone happy all the time.

I understand the changes we need to be honest. We need to save X amount of money by Y date.

We don't have to do that by keeping the "1%" completely insulated from taking any hits. When are we going to see consequences for corruption, stupidity, and criminality?
When are those who chose to gamble of their own free will going to be forced to live up to reality just like the rest of us are?

Attabear

Bannasidhe wrote: »

Hookers

And Coke.

My name is URL

Why the constant need to protest against protestations, Audrey?

So why the constant protesting? Are we really in such dire straights or is there a certain amount of ‘not in my back yard’ style protesting going on?

Maybe you're not in such dire straights, but many are. People have every right to protest.. maybe some day; you yourself will see the need to do so.

Attabear

My name is URL wrote: »

Why the constant need to protest against protestations, Audrey?



Maybe you're not in such dire straights, but many are. People have every right to protest.. maybe some day; you yourself will see the need to do so.

I'll protest against your protest against protestations.









Protest.

Bannasidhe

Attabear wrote: »

I'll protest against your protest against protestations.









Protest.

I'll protest tomorrow.

Attabear

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I'll protest tomorrow.

I'm protesting against procrastination, next Wednesday week.

mikom

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Are we really in such dire straights or is there a certain amount of ‘not in my back yard’ style protesting going on?

You don't even have a back yard as you live with your parents.
Come back to me when like others you are horsing out for repayments, upkeep, insurance, TV licence, and household charge on that back yard for fear of loosing it.
In the meantime...... back to bo-bo land.

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I have a job but still live at home because I can't afford to move out. My parents are the reason I have roof over my head. I don't have transport because again I can't afford a car at the moment. I don't pay the bills but I support myself.

AeoNGriM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

This thread is sort of an accompaniment to my other recession related thread. This time I’m curious about why people are so intent of refusing to accept any and all measures brought in by the government to tackle the current crisis. No-one likes cuts and taxes I know and people are struggling but surely point blank refusing to even consider the benefits of the governments plans won’t do anyone favours?

So why the constant protesting? Are we really in such dire straights or is there a certain amount of ‘not in my back yard’ style protesting going on? Or to put it another way do you think all those protesting really are struggling (I don’t doubt some of them are btw) or are there those who really could handle the cuts and taxes but simply refuse to do so.

And in the case of those just won’t pay tax or take a cut even though they probably could afford to do so is it a lack of trust in the government, genuinely not agreeing with cuts/taxes or as above , a simple case of ‘not in my back yard’/ tax/cut only what doesn’t affect me personally?

Why does this matter? Just because you judge that someone doesn't really need that extra 2 or 3 grand a year doesn't mean it's ok for it to be taken from them, especially since absolutely nothing has changed in the way business in this country is conducted, right from the top level down.

I realise you're not in any way saying this, but the way your post is worded people shouldn't bother going to the Garda if they are robbed if they could afford to lose what was taken.

Ghost Buster

Because its not as simple as you make it out to be and sitting back saying 'arrah what choice do we have ' is a cop out.

But what protesting exactly?

seamus

The problem is that the majority of protests thus far have one of two messages

1. Don't tax me, tax someone else
2. Screw the banks

Neither of which will solve our current financial problem where we spend more than we take in.