The decline of SF?

Are they even local many of them ?

The longer this goes on though,the more SF's fence sitting on immigration,trying to be all things to all men will hurt them,will they ever learn?

The levels of 'incompetence' in the management of these protests is off the scale and demand inquiry. From resourcing to actual on the ground operations.

This is Barry Ward FG levels of authoritarianism IMO.
Perish the thought that you enable communities like this in any way.

Ignore concerns, and imposing your will on communities you already deprive of resources and the tools to help themselves are the hallmarks of 'far rightism'.

for feck sake, sf arent moving to the far right!

The claim has become a dog whistle in itself. Now we are getting 'dialogue with communities' characterised as a 'far right' demand when the far right in the history of far rightism have never cared what anyone else but themselves think. We were told to expect it ahead of the LE's and Euro elections, and it hasn't happened. You can sense the disappointment.

https://www.newstalk.com/news/mary-lou-mcdonald-condemning-coolock-protests-is-not-going-to-sort-this-1747850

Sitting on a fence isn't pleasant, it can be sore, yet MLMD appears to be an expert.

"Condemning the protests in Coolock is “not going to sort out” continued unrest in the community, according to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. "

What are we supposed to do, cheer them on?

"This is not about pandering to anything – pandering to racism, pandering to hate,” she said."

It actually is just that, pandering and dog-whistling to the far-right.

Didn't hear him on MI but the policy of doing a resources check before anything else makes eminent sense to me.
I suspect the government and it's supporters won't like any scrutiny of just where they are putting the vast majority of these centres.

It's not far right,it's just populism

Every party is populist to varying degree's,how else do you gather votes

If you want to build or renovate a house, or any structure, you have to apply to the council for planning permission. The council does a resources check and submissions of interest are sent in by the public and a decision is then made by a council whether permission be granted or not based on this.

At least that's how it's supposed to work

The SF policy isn't exactly a radical suggestion. In fact there are many voters who incorrectly assumed it was happening already

In what era has the GE discourse been normal?

Some issue or other is always critical. Housing, Health, Emigration, Taxation, Unemployment, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Europe, Austerity.

Thats the story of my lifetime of general elections.

....

there is talk of an election sometime after another one of those budgets that rewards people for not bothering with making any kind of contribution to society - but we surely as a nation can't be taken for that trick again? FF were masters of it back in the day.

I look forward to an election because I think for the first time in a few years, it will give a more accurate read of just where SF are in the whole thing. I wouldnt guarantee they'll get into power - though I hope they try as they did last time but this time get more independent support in order to be effective. I'd love no FF or FG for a change - but we'll see. I really dont want to see SF/FG or FF and def not all three. If it was the case, if SF werent the majority partner then I really would have to reconsider my vote for them

I dont care if SF don't get into power. i think people need to be convinced of what they can do. Theres lots of talk about flip flopping on this that and the other - none of which stands up to actual scrutiny (do your own fact checking). So far I think SF have had an impressive record and they have in general stood by their voters. they also done this through a conflict and brought it from start to finish to the beginnings of a peaceful conclusion. Thats a feck lot more than any party here has done - yet they've never been in power? Think of that logically - like are we stupid as a nation or what? Too afraid to take a chance and too afraid to change yet not happy with the present lineup. Its like having a reoccurring festival with only the same three bands but in different time slots each time.

for a start, I'd love to try the housing idea where the councils themselves go back to either directly employing individual workers, or local contractors to build social housing. The idea of reducing VAT and tax on building materials etc - all makes sense to me.

Politics isnt modular though - you cant say 'change this and everythings fine'. Im interested to see how SF combines different solutions to overall create at least hopefully a better state of affairs than we have now.

we have riots, high prices, low wages, more riots, anger, no housing, immigration issues etc etc. thats pretty **** to be fair. Im absolutely certain a government where SF called the shots would do a way better job. as much as people whinge that they are the largest and wealthiest party - they are the largest and wealthiest party. they didnt do that by being stupid

I wouldnt guarantee they'll get into power - though I hope they try as they did last time but this time get more independent support in order to be effective. 

Not much point 'trying' if, as seems fairly likely at this stage, FF & FG have a majority of seats betwen them,

did we have an election? Did i miss it?

For the the kind of person who goes with the flow and does what they assume everyone else does, that kind of thinking is like a never ending circle

(edit: I am NOT assuming anyone is that kind of person but they exist)

Could explain why we're in the **** we're in mind you