General Election and Government Formation Megathread (see post #1)

vriesmays · 26-01-2020 03:18PM

Did you omit immigration because it would get the most votes.

relax carry on · 26-01-2020 03:20PM

iCareNotOneJot wrote: »

In many ways its the people who DO VOTE who are accepting the status quo and dont want any change. If the system itself is broken, why keep supporting it by voting ?

That literally makes no sense.

What would you replace the present system with. What is it you want exactly?

Ger Roe · 26-01-2020 03:21PM

iCareNotOneJot wrote: »

If I genuinely dont like, or believe in, any of the candidates on the ballot, why should I vote for any of them?

I am interested to hear why other people are voting, what they expect from their next goverment ?

You can always exercise your option to spoil your vote. That means you go to the effort of taking part in the process, but you register a protest - presumably that you were not satisfied with the quality of the candidates - write that on your paper.

It's a more honourable option than not taking part in a process that had to be hard fought for and that others around the world are still denied.

Spoiling is not an aspect that politicians like to talk about, because if it took off, it could be an option that might be exercised more often, and that would deny them potential votes. How many votes would it remove from the pot if spoiling was presented as an option?. Maybe we could introduce a 'none of the above' tick box for people who believe in the principles of democracy but are not inspired by those entrusted with it.

smurgen · 26-01-2020 03:30PM

Housing costs and health.

wmahcm · 26-01-2020 03:32PM

Ger Roe wrote: »

You can always exercise your option to spoil your vote. That means you go to the effort of taking part in the process, but you register a protest - presumably that you were not satisfied with the quality of the candidates - write that on your paper.

It's a more honourable option than not taking part in a process that had to be hard fought for and that others around the world are still denied.

It's neither honorable or democratic to offer no option other than electing people you don't want to elect or spoiling a ballot paper. Freedom was hard fought for, not the option of either compulsory voting or spoiling a ballot papers. There should be a none of the above option on any ballot paper. It's akin to holding a referendum and only have a vote yes option or spoil your vote. (and before anyone tries to play politics, depending on the wording / proposal, not all yes votes are automatically good.)

wmahcm · 26-01-2020 03:36PM

BonnieSituation wrote: »

The public can't, on one hand, be too smart to not see the obvious shenanigans, and on the other hand be also too stupid to be taken in by it all.

Yes they can, the public come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of perception.
RTE / Turbidy types etc. are based on fooling most of the people, most of the time.

An Ciarraioch · 26-01-2020 03:43PM

I presume the Late Late is still subject to normal election rules, and as such, Tubridy could only ask her about Brexit, confidence and supply, and not about Sinn Féin.

wmahcm · 26-01-2020 03:43PM

The media likes to pretend it's the Dublin property crisis, homelessness and not for for purpose hospitals, but it's much more than that.
Crime and the lack of any actual enforced law and order anywhere in Ireland now, and the ever increasing anarchy is also an issue being whitewashed by the media. The Gardai have now been reduced to being glorified traffic wardens and collectors of extra stealth taxes from ordinary people, whereas real criminals walk around unhindered.

Eircom_Sucks · 26-01-2020 03:43PM

Eircom_Sucks wrote: »

I'm 39 and only ever voted once

Don't bother now as no political party ever backs up what they say they will do , they are all the same . Corrupt

Only good politician is a dead one

Ouch

Allinall · 26-01-2020 03:47PM

relax carry on wrote: »

That literally makes no sense.

What would you replace the present system with. What is it you want exactly?

There’s a noticeable silence from the won’t vote- no confidence- none of the above brigade when this is put to them.

At least people who put themselves forward for election are trying to influence the way things are done.

Non voters are just hurlers on the ditch with nothing to offer.

L1011 · 26-01-2020 03:48PM

One that I've heard from many people - more than any other specific issue - is childcare; but that is going to be both age and location specific

26-01-2020 03:50PM

Health & housing arent going to be solved anytime soon.
Neither should be centre stage politically as the parties are only waffling about them to get votes.

26-01-2020 03:51PM

Surely crime is the real answer? Seems to be a major issue - the general lawlessness of Ireland.

An Ciarraioch · 26-01-2020 03:51PM

vriesmays wrote: »

Did you omit immigration because it would get the most votes.

No mention of it in the Irish Times poll of issues.

L1011 · 26-01-2020 03:56PM

Cakes and Ale wrote: »

She hasn't a hope given she lost her councillor seat the last time. She is Maynooth-based yet I don't recall seeing any posters for her or leaflets through the door.

Was extremely late getting them out in May also.

Fann Linn · 26-01-2020 03:56PM

Is this an RTE sponsored poll where ye need to be specifically appointed to get a chance to vote?

firemansam4 · 26-01-2020 03:59PM

Who is least likely to screw the economy thus making things much worse for everyone in the long run.

pixelburp · 26-01-2020 03:59PM

wmahcm wrote: »

It's neither honorable or democratic to offer no option other than electing people you don't want to elect or spoiling a ballot paper. Freedom was hard fought for, not the option of either compulsory voting or spoiling a ballot papers. There should be a none of the above option on any ballot paper. It's akin to holding a referendum and only have a vote yes option or spoil your vote. (and before anyone tries to play politics, depending on the wording / proposal, not all yes votes are automatically good.)

And I ask again, what do you do then if, with this "none of" option you get a result with a majority rejection? You say it's democratic to offer an option yet it would open up a possibility of a paralysis of governance, which is undemocratic. The referendum comparison doesn't track because a "no" tends to just mean sticking with the status quo of legislation. Clearly a no confidence can't equal "stick with the current candidates".

You can either spoil your vote, or indeed if you're feeling really adventurous, run yourself. About 15% of the dail are independents, which is quite sizable. Obviously that's glib but it's unclear how in a race of 10+ candidates you don't have a flavour that suits.

Ger Roe · 26-01-2020 04:04PM

Housing, the bigger picture - not just homelessness.

The actual homelessness crisis is obviously unacceptable and serious, but the current housing crisis is our next big developing social issue. Young people working in good jobs and still not being able to afford to move out of home either to rent, or to buy - that's the biggest scandal at the moment and the most risk of serious societal complications further down the line.

The banks were the major factor in developing the existing homelessness crisis, but the most recent government has ensured that a long term general housing crisis is developing nicely to benefit the select few and to adversely affect the squeezed, heavily taxed, and badly serviced, majority.

sid waddell · 26-01-2020 04:06PM

The real nature of politics is that it is an unglamorous grind. It's a game of persuasion at every level. It's boring negotiation, all democratic politicians have to work within huge constraints, and the nature of politics is that compromise is usually necessary. That's because human existence does not reside in a fantasy land where you get everything you want.

People who just dismiss all politicians don't realise any of this, or choose to reject that reality. What they are saying is: "there is no politician I trust to bring to reality the fantasy land that I desire".

Read the previous sentence again to understand Trump/Brexit etc. Trump and the Brexiteers promised a fantasy land divorced from all reality.

In other words, what such people are saying is: "I want a dictator".

KevRossi · 26-01-2020 04:06PM

An Ciarraioch wrote: »

I presume the Late Late is still subject to normal election rules, and as such, Tubridy could only ask her about Brexit, confidence and supply, and not about Sinn Féin.

Correct. But he can ask her about her childhood, the IRA attacks and will use a bit of (clumsy) insinuation to connect that to SF.

I'd like to see her interviewed by Sean O'Rourke in a longer, recorded interview, or by Tommy Tiernan. But having the former chair of Ogra FF in UCD interview her 7 days before an Irish GE is wrong, wrong, wrong.

smurgen · 26-01-2020 04:08PM

An Ciarraioch wrote: »

I presume the Late Late is still subject to normal election rules, and as such, Tubridy could only ask her about Brexit, confidence and supply, and not about Sinn Féin.

Do you think the same RTE who tried to paint robert nairac a British terrorists who murdered innocent Irish people as an innocent victim as recently as 2017 are going to put her under pressure and not use it as a stick to beat SF?

Water John · 26-01-2020 04:10PM

Despite any sympathy for her because of what happened to her family, AF wouldn't garner any sympathy in the ROI.
LLS interview probably better not happening at this time, but a non event.

Fann Linn · 26-01-2020 04:11PM

Ger Roe wrote: »

Housing, the bigger picture - not just homelessness.

The actual homelessness crisis is obviously unacceptable and serious, but the current housing crisis is our next big developing social issue. Young people working in good jobs and still not being able to afford to move out of home either to rent, or to buy - that's the biggest scandal at the moment and the most risk of serious societal complications further down the line.

The banks were the major factor in developing the existing homelessness crisis, but the most recent government has ensured that a long term general housing crisis is developing nicely to benefit the select few and to adversely affect the squeezed, heavily taxed, and badly serviced, majority.

This is the problem. However for some people when the words 'social housing' is mentioned it's automatically equated to 'pyjama wearing anti social types and foreva homes', when in fact it should moreso be aimed at those young people working in low to middle income jobs.

26-01-2020 04:14PM

Fann Linn wrote: »

when in fact it should moreso aimed at those young people working in low to middle income jobs.

But it isn't, is the problem. The stereotype is unfortunately somewhat accurate.

greenfield21 · 26-01-2020 04:15PM

How to keep economic growth while not been a corporate tax Haven.

McHardcore · 26-01-2020 04:16PM

It has to be housing.

And not letting Fianna Fail back in to bollocks the economy and force us to migrate again.

Sir Oxman · 26-01-2020 04:39PM

KevRossi wrote: »

Correct. But he can ask her about her childhood, the IRA attacks and will use a bit of (clumsy) insinuation to connect that to SF.

I'd like to see her interviewed by Sean O'Rourke in a longer, recorded interview, or by Tommy Tiernan. But having the former chair of Ogra FF in UCD interview her 7 days before an Irish GE is wrong, wrong, wrong.

^This
I will eat my hat if Tubridy does not bring the conversation around to that - sure, the LLS is built on misery so that's a guaranteed line.

Should not happen in an election period IMO.
(But then look at VMTV giving free reign to two parties to have a go at an absent one)

wmahcm · 26-01-2020 04:41PM

Ger Roe wrote: »

Housing, the bigger picture - not just homelessness.

The actual homelessness crisis is obviously unacceptable and serious, but the current housing crisis is our next big developing social issue. Young people working in good jobs and still not being able to afford to move out of home either to rent, or to buy - that's the biggest scandal at the moment and the most risk of serious societal complications further down the line.

The banks were the major factor in developing the existing homelessness crisis, but the most recent government has ensured that a long term general housing crisis is developing nicely to benefit the select few and to adversely affect the squeezed, heavily taxed, and badly serviced, majority.

It's a natural consequence of attempting to concentrate all jobs and economic development in one geographic region while deliberately running down the rest. Neither good for Dublin or Ireland. Until the pubic, government's and politicians start diagnosing and addressing causes instead of addressing symptoms . . we're going to continue repeating mistakes and wasting money and time

wmahcm · 26-01-2020 04:49PM

sid waddell wrote: »

The real nature of politics is that it is an unglamorous grind. It's a game of persuasion at every level. It's boring negotiation, all democratic politicians have to work within huge constraints, and the nature of politics is that compromise is usually necessary. That's because human existence does not reside in a fantasy land where you get everything you want.

People who just dismiss all politicians don't realise any of this, or choose to reject that reality. What they are saying is: "there is no politician I trust to bring to reality the fantasy land that I desire".

Read the previous sentence again to understand Trump/Brexit etc. Trump and the Brexiteers promised a fantasy land divorced from all reality.

In other words, what such people are saying is: "I want a dictator".

Total tosh. The America public for example were given a choice between two dictators : either vote for scumbag A and their scum party who promises to screw ordinary working people and will, or scumbag B and their scum party who promises not to screw ordinary working people but will. The American presidential result could have been very different if there was third choice on the ballot . . none of the above.

General Election and Government Formation Megathread (see post #1)

Comments