What would you do to sort out the country?

Bear in mind that McWilliams is more talented than most of his contemporaries at getting his point across to the public - but this doesn't necessarily mean he would be the best person for the job.

He advocates Ireland abandoning the euro which is a radical option. It may or may not be the lesser of two evils, but it seems politically (at both the Irish and EU level) unfeasible right now. It would cause enormous upheaval, panic and uncertainty, which is probably the last thing the country needs right now.

The problem with taxing the ultra rich is that there are not enough of them. It just wouldn't save enough money to make any tangible difference, however as some sort of "social fairness" measure, it would indirectly make tax increases on lower and middle earners more palatable.

But with such a tax you might also risk pushing out of the country employers who are creating jobs. It's a small step from there to a policy of socialist distribution of wealth, which doesn't usually work fantastically for attracting inward investment, or developing indigenous business.

What would I do to sort out the country?

We face ruin in modern day Ireland, we throw the word billion around like its pennys without fully grasping the meaning of word.

That for me is the biggest issue we face as a nation, but how do we get out of the mess we're in? Put simply we can't unless radical change flows through our people primarily and secondly our political system.

The people of Ireland have failed themselves, we as a nation have allowed our political system to run free with no true governance in place. Look at another republic in the EU, oui the French. They have been up in arms and rightfully so about their state of affairs. They ahve stood united against the banks, developers and the politicians. What have we done other than bicker amongst ourselves and denounce anyone who wants to stand up for the people as being mad hippies.

So what we need is a revolution and we are edging ever closer to one happening. The people need to stand up and say NO we're not letting this happen again. A government who's corrupt, a political system that is equally corrupt and supports only a me fein policy since our republics inception. We need to have mass protests together Public & Private Sector and the Unions as one. Failing positive action from a national strike we need to take radical anarchistic measures to overthrow our failed systems. To put a message across the world that this once proud republic may have lost its way but the will and the resolve of its people are still the same as those who once stood up for the same. Equality and freedom for all, Parnel Pearse Connolly would be on their soap boxes already in the heart of Dublin crying out for reform. Where are those people now? No where to be seen because our political system has failed.

Now putting aside fantasy as we all know we are not united as a nation let alone as a people it will never happen. In reality this is what needs to happen....

We need to stop this farce that is Anglo and let it go to the wall. Let its debtors be called up and let them know their investment is gone that they are going to share the brunt with the Irish people. This will send a message to other financial institutes that we dont mess about.

We need to hold a general election, we need to make sure FF & FG dont have a chance of taking power again for at least the next 8 years. Look towards a new coalition government, Labour, SF, independants, let them work together to ensure real change. I say FG because while they are the natural choice to lead this country they are equally as bad as their FF buddies and will only repeat the same corrupt issues again.

The Public and Private sectors need to be held accountable for their actions. In other words the Financial Regulator needs to do their job. But at the same time they need to be empowered to implement harsh punishment on those who do not perform or keep within the boundaries that ensure our continued economic growth and stability. It is within the FR/CBI culture that needs to change, internally they dont have any Accountability or true governance models in place. People need to be sacked and no longer should hide behind fat private sector handshakes or perminant jobs within the public sector. People need to know that if they do not peform their will be consequences. To date none of this is there, it is at the very core as to why our country has fallen to its knees and will soon be on its back as the IMF step in.

The Public sector needs to be shaken up, not the front line services. That would be economic sucide. The culture of obtaining senior postions due to time served needs to be halted. The outsourcing of decisions to Consultants is pure folly and a waste of time. We need to leverage the highly educated people within the public sector to make these decisions themselves. Again its all a waste of tax payers money. LIke the private sector, those in the public sector need to be put on performance measures to ensure their quality of work is kept at a high standard, thus changing the culture to one that breeds innovation and efficencies within their organisations.

Public sector pensions: How these are governed is a joke, especially those higher up the food chain. I see no reason why a minister should receive their state pension along with a private one. Also if a minister or anyone is discharged from their role they shoulnd't be entitled to a state pension end of story. We fork out billions on pensions every year tothose who dont need it and those who dont deserve it. We the tax payer pay these pensions and we the tax payer can't afford our own at the moment. Therefore a pension freeze needs to be put in place on all Public sector pensions. The funds then should be redirected into a stimulus package to promote growth in education, small business and employment. At least until we start to see positive growth again. It makes no sense as to why we the tax payer should pay what is really a bonus to a failed public system. Similar to what has happend to those inthe private sector.

We need to take the 25 (25 thousand million euro) billion we're spending on Anglo and redirect it to Policing, Health Care, Education and infrastructure (public transport, fibre optic broadband, nuclear power stations etc etc). Funds from the fire sell of NAMA should also be used for these investments.

We also need to look at our constitution, we need to amend it so it clearly includes accountability on all fronts of our economic stability.

We need to stay in Europe and if failing any of the above. Allow them to take over our state of affairs until we are in the black once more. We are the laughing stock of Europe we are worse than Greece and Portugal combined. Our reputation as a EU lead country needs to be restored and we have 2 choices take charge now and implement redical change or let the EU do it for us.

Just my opinion, i am sure it'll get torn to shreds by boards but hey such is boards.

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

putting aside the rest, why should anyone with a mortgage be bailed out. they have no-one to blame but themselves for getting it in the first place.

This attitude is just spiteful and only works with the benefit of hindsight. No one could see what was coming, our banks and our government reassured us all that all was sweet.

Regardless of that people need somewhere to live. All these dopes who spout off hahahah you deserve it yis are mongos for getting into it everyone knew it was going to collapse are just silly people. Who love to shout na na i told you so....

As a tax payer I would prefer to have our monies given to those who need it. And yup mortgage owners, small businesses need it most. it would cost roughly 40 billion to wipe clean the average house price off every home bought over the last 10 years. Impossible of course, but at the same time where would you like to see your money go? To those who caused it? Or those who need it? I back the people any time and find these comments childish and not in touch with reality.

I agree its impossible to do but its a nice idea all the same all beit in la la land.

If you happen to get cancer, should I say hahahahaha you deserve it for not watching your diet and smoking (duno if you do either but hey u know what i mean).

Solidarity brother/sister thats what we need not finger pointing.

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

don't be so naive, plenty of people saw it coming and were just laughed away. anyone who thought a 30k house was worth 600k has no-one to blame but themselves. I could easily have gotten a house in the last 5 years but no way would I pay anywhere close to the insanely insane prices that were asking, its only a house after all.

As a tax payer I'd prefer that neither the banks nor mortgage holders got our money, either way is flushing it down the toilet. But at least the banks (Anglo aside) will pay it back over the next 30 years

Naieve lol dont be daft I agreed with you but also tried to rationalise your thinking yet you call me naieve, come off it.

Dont you see that some sort of bailout would free up disposable income for those who are now screwed? That disposable income would then fuel growth in the retail sector and have a domino affect on our economy that would only be in a positive way.

Regardless its a mute point, it would never work and there isn't a soul in Ireland who would push it forward.

The issue I have is you using the benefit of hindsight to back up your statment. Its just down right ignorant especially when you're talking about real peoples lives not entities like banks. These are you neighbours, your family your friends. LIke it or lump it we're all in the same boat and comments/opinions like yours only widen the gap in society.

So what would you do as the OP asked? Would you rather dismantle peoples opinions to bolster your own? Or would you rather contribute to a pretty good question in a constructive adult way?

ei.sdraob wrote: »

OF course there are exceptions and people in all sorts of exceptional circumstances

but that's a matter for people in question and their banks and the courts to sort out, the government really should be concentrating on more pressing matters, you know that saying "teach a man to fish or give a man a fish..." you want to tackle this private debt problem then tackle the employment problem and let the people work their way out of the debt they signed themselves up to, anything else would create a serious moral hazard which could lead to even bigger issues

you might have the best intentions but in the end you might endup creating a bigger mess

Again i find myself agreeing with you I definately think you've got some strong points there. But I did also say it would never work. Personally its fraught with risks/danger and has the potential as you say to cause an even bigger mess.

Just on the subject of banks/mortgages. Already banks have been looking at taking over toxit debt from Irelands property boom. These banks know that there is no way in hell of recouping the full amount and are already analysing the debt owed and writing off part of it so the mortgage holder will pay at least a large percentage of it back rather than defaulting on it completely. This is the only way and legal way it will work but again its not government its down to the bank who will buy own and manage the debt. THis is the legal and financial process that manages debt worldwide. ITs a matter of choice however "Do we get paid any money? or do we agree to write off X to get Y".

But jasus dont get me wrong here folks I like the idea of a government bail out but I recognise its impossible to do and would cause bigger issues.

I just have a bit of an issue with people sayin "ha told you so you're to blame yourself"

I have a mortgage and I recognise it is a life long commitment. I am not too worried about 10% or 20% or 30%... negitive equity. Its all relitive to the markets and like all markets it goes up and down. Its the people out there who banked their pensions or futures on investment properties that are true screwed. I for one can afford my mortgage and will continue to do so regardless of negitive equity.

Mister men wrote: »

Arrest Cowen,Bertie and Lenihan as they are the ones directly responsible for the current mess. Charge them with treason againest the state and it's people.

New national government to be set up.

All social welfare to be cut for the long term unemployed (5 years and over) by 50%, all those under 21 recieve no benefits of any kind.

Food vouchers instead of cash to be given out as a percentage of your dole payment.

PS pay cut by 50% for all those earning 100k a year and over. All those earning between 50-100k a year cut by 40%, 30-40k a year by 20% and anyone under this to be left untouched.

All TD's pay cut by 65%

Huge wind and wave power projects to be set up and any skilled workers presently on the dole to be offered 500 euro per week to help in the construction of said project. Anyone who rejects this offer to be thrown off the dole. Projects to be funded by increased taxes.

Visable arrest and jailing of those in the property sector directly involved in price fixing and overpricing of houses and retail units in the last 10 years.


The immediate closing of Anglo.

The arrest and jailing of the top bankers who fueled the hysteria that has lead the country to ruin.

All this is just for starters. We do it or the IMF will be harsher. It's our call.

Accountability whoooohooooooo its needed and defo public humiliation of those responsible. The yanks are doing it why cant we?

Income tax:

Scrap all tax credits
Scrap PRSI and Income Levy
Introduce the four following tax rates/bands

€0-€20,000 – 10%
€20,001 - €40,000 – 20%
€40,001 - €100,000 – 30%
€100,001 plus - 40%


Other
- Reduce both VAT rates by 2%
- Reduce CT by 2.5%

Spending
- Reduce minimum wage by 5-10% a year, and eventually abolish it
- Target social welfare cuts of 5-10% a year (focus on the won’t works, but don’t hurt the can’t-works as much as possible)
- Target reduction in public sector pay bill of 5% a year until it’s reached a sustainable level