No Mainstream Parties

photosmart

Hi All

Political change takes time but if people keep voting for mainstream parties

FG
FF
Labour
Sinn Fein (Yes Sinn Fein they're mainstream in north and you can check thieir actions against their guff if you like)
Greens (Say them in action with FF)

they'll keep getting more of the same.

Vote independent and protest candidates and we'll need to keep doing it until mainstream parties are destroyed or else begin to act in the interests of the people

Idbatterim

Vote independent and protest candidates and we'll need to keep doing it until mainstream parties are destroyed or else begin to act in the interests of the people

I would like to know what kind of party people would like, there are already tons of left leaning ones and one who will give you everything you want until it all comes crashing back down. The one that people would refer to as right wing, aka FG is centrist. So what do people want proper right wing? one that will upset the establishment and go after their own pay, perks, pay off and pensions or what?

I think there are certain issues everyone will agree on, clamp down on incompetence, massive pay offs, business as usual, better policing etc, thats the easy stuff. What about issues on welfare? health, wealth distribution etc...

milewidehead

The trouble with Independents is just that - they're 'independent'. So you never really know what you're getting with them, they tend to lean in the direction of the strongest breeze that's blowing at any particular time. As for the famous advertising slogan "It does exactly what it says on the tin...", well, they don't even have a "tin", to speak of, ie a political party with policies and stated objectives. They certainly do have agendas, and 'shopping-lists', (remember Jackie Healey-Rae), and tend to appeal to the village pump style of politics. Some of them of course have given excellent service, (Shane Ross, Clare Daly etc), but nowadays they almost act like a party in all but name.

And if the independents group together and act like a de-facto party, then are they truly 'independent'?.

stefanovich

Personally I am desperate for a proper economically right wing government. Yes the mainstream parties are useless but so so much better than the lunatic left.

Manach

It could be argued that the existence of parties as we know them is ahistorical. In that in other periods, societies with a reasonable democratic regime had no centralised and instituation parties which lasted generation to generation and had a lock on the levers of power. The present system we have now is more a oligarchy. By rebooting the system up increasing independants at a signifiant level to supplant the parties, then there might be hope to cleans this disruptive influence of entrenched power.

road_high

stefanovich wrote: »

Personally I am desperate for a proper economically right wing government. Yes the mainstream parties are useless but so so much better than the lunatic left.

Me too. One that will reward work and slash "entitlements". FG are probabaly closest ideologically to this thinking, but to get elected in Ireland they can't be seen to do this.

Idbatterim

Me too. One that will reward work and slash "entitlements". FG are probabaly closest ideologically to this thinking, but to get elected in Ireland they can't be seen to do this.

You'd wonder if a new party formed and just came straight out and said this is what they were for, what percentage of votes they would win, given that there are 1.6 million private sector workers, 3 hundred thousand PS workers, youd probably leave the pensioners alone. I mean seriously. is it "right wing" to suggest we help the working poor, give a bit of slack to workers who pay the highest marginal tax rates at such a low entry point, help working parents with child care costs etc? That is right wing or radical right wing? I just dont deem it anywhere near good enough anymore, Germany your benefits are based on what you pay in, your OAP etc. In Britain welfare is a fraction of herem they have now introduced a cap, and can cut it to virtually nothing... Its an immoral disgrace to have people working and coming out of it not much better if any better, than those getting everything handed to them on a plate indefinitely. Housing, medical card, dole etc.

I am for benefits based on what you paid in OR at the very least, them being cut to virtually nothing cash wise after a certain period. Like I said, with the saving, create more jobs for those desperately seeking them and cut the marginal rate of tax. Obviously the low paid, pay virtually nothing in direct taxes, but with the cost of living high and welfare competing with low paid jobs...

Rheneas

Looks like SF, Indos and PBP are going to be running my area for the next 5 years. Just writing my ad now for daft.ie
'House for rent, 5 year tenancy, located in average Irish town previously run by self serving, allegedly corrupt, ineffective and insincere local council but now looks forward to utopian, tax free, water charge free, hospitals for all, increased pensions and painless future'
Rent and all services free under incoming council.