Bishop of hope wrote: » But it's been done before, auction politics.
piplip87 wrote: » Jaysus they want to raise to dole to 245 a week ? Looking after the key demographic right there
what2do wrote: » Once they increase corporation taxes and many of the multinationals leave the country this will be a lovely softner for all those who lose their jobs!!!!!!!!
Matt Barrett wrote: » You can try be whimsical about how sad it is in your view that we must deal with FF/FG like a fait accompli, but I believe we deserve better and should work for better. Your attitude is why 10, 20, 30, years ago we were in the same boat. It starts with one person and grows from there. Waiting in the bushes to see if a sure winner is coming along is nuts and has us where we are. Glad you're enjoying the FF/FG **** show.
gormdubhgorm wrote: » You call it a **** show but the reality is many of the electorate are happy with the status quo compared to alternatives and the question marks they raise. That is just a fact. I think part of a problem is there are too many micky mouse smaller parties which breaks up other voting blocks. There should be mergers in reality. But instead we have seen the rise of independents to fill the vacuum.
machaseh wrote: » Even so, voting SF is by far the best option to get a different course in this country and break the perpetual FF/FG right wing pro corporate course in this country.
marieholmfan wrote: » People who remember Tim Parry, Johnathon Ball, Nicky Mountbatten, Paul Maxwell and other children killed by the IRA find making that choice harder than you can appreciate. It is of course a fact that 4 children in 5 killed during the troubles were killed by the British and their proxies (this is just pre whataboutery whatabotery); the first child killed Patrick Rooney was killed by the RUC , the Quinn brothers were killed because their mother was a Catholic. If the UVF promised council houses for all , workers control of the means of production , AI driven capacity planning in government, decentralised free health care etc. etc. I don't know if I would vote for them.
thefloss wrote: » https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/columnists/david-davin-power-mcdonald-plans-for-a-parallel-reality-978349.html Am I right or wrong in saying SF are the first party to flirt with abolishing USC (up to 30k limit)? I'm sure this will prick a lot of ears...
FrancieBrady wrote: » Over exaggerating much? The new government will be a coalition or confidence and supply. The essence of a proper coalition/C&S is one where each keeps an eye on the other. That is what we got wrong...far too many party's too happy to stay in coalitions where one component was doing damage. FF-FG, FF-Greens, FG-Lab, SF-DUP etc. because essentially the 'seats' were comfy. You do your best to compromise and govern, if the coalition/C&S is failing - you walk and go back to the people. If party's keep in mind their commitments to those who elected them and pull the plug on bad governance, then you and I will not be overly damaged. What chances have we of getting a coalition/C&S like that? It's clear to me anyhow, that both main parties are afraid of that 'essence'. They will resist a coalition with a party that is not afraid to walk or be walked over. For them coalition is about dominance. We need a change.
suicide_circus wrote: » we cant further narrow the tax base for the love of god
McMurphy wrote: » Fg were the first to flirt with it in 16, against the advise of the other big two (FF/SF) who said it couldn't be done as it wouldn't be financially possible.
is_that_so wrote: » Yeah it was in their manifesto but not done outright, in increments.
McMurphy wrote: » But still the first to flirt with it.
ELM327 wrote: » SF are ridiculous. They are socialist. No socialist economy is free. Large companies will leave. Anyone earning a "high" salary will be taxed to the hilt. I'd prefer any other party, literally any other, (except Aointu as that's SF lite) than SF
FrancieBrady wrote: » 'They are socialist'? What does that scare tag mean anymore? I don't think there is a party in Ireland that is all one thing. They are just tags, generally used to demean, or handwave away. 'Large companies will leave' - 'taxed to the hilt'? You are good at the scary stuff anyhow.
facehugger99 wrote: » Given that most people who vote SF are poorly educated and work shy, one would have to question SF's desire to improve education or the job-market if they ever got into Government They'd be cutting down on their own vote.
ELM327 wrote: » They are socialist. Sinn Féin is a 32-County party striving for an end to partition on the island of Ireland and the establishment of a democratic socialist republicfrom https://www.sinnfein.ie/what-sinn-fein-stands-for They have previously campaigned for a 5% wealth levy on "high earners". In addition to the 52% combined tax. This is mentioned in their manifesto. They have also previously campaigned for an increase in corporate tax rates. This will result in a drop in FDI, where 500,000 of the 1.7m (~30%) jobs in Ireland are directly or indirectly based. Call it scary if you wish. I happen to agree, it is scary. It's also the reality of any SF/socialist government.
Fine Gael is a party of the progressive centre. That means we act in a way that is right for Ireland, regardless of dogma or ideology.
FrancieBrady wrote: » They are all a bit of everything in this country, as far as I can see. Usually when it suits them to be. I see FG have chosen not to tie themselves to any ideology on their site. I'd imagine they will all move in that direction as the old 'tags' no longer work in the modern age.
gormdubhgorm wrote: » Yeah but SF are not a normal party. Paramilitary shadow, playing two different strategies in two different jurisdictions, two different leaders. It is a very difficult tightrope they have to walk. That is before you get into the fact that thier main demographic is working class and/or a republican nature. Then they have to decide if they can keep the core republican stereotype while trying to target the middle classes in the ROI. They have themselves in knots no matter which way they go. The first two things I think of when I think of SF is paramilitary shadow and fanciful economics. As I said in a previous post I voted for Martin McGuinness in the 2011 Presidential election - because I had respect for the fella he was honest upfront (unlike Gerry) and not afraid to take risks and move things forward. To me it was not the same as voting for SF in the dail as well so that was also a factor. Mary Lou is not in my constituency but if she was I would not vote for her she just strikes me as a political opportunistic moving from FF. Also she seems high on soundbites/cliches - just my opinion. Plus she will be hamstrung by the make up of SF it's history etc if she tried to make real changes even if SF somehow got in power. Plus she will also have to moderate the small changes she can make as she would be a junior partner in government with an other.
blanch152 wrote: » So Fine Gael are out in front in terms of messaging?
FrancieBrady wrote: » At least they got something for all that money paid on image. Shame so many see them as right wing wealthy millionaires and their vote appears to be falling.
Bishop of hope wrote: » That's the nature of politics, governments rarely gain in popularity and always eventually lose out. It will happen to SF too if they ever get in, its not a surprise that governments change and parties go up and down in popularity.
