Why the constant need to protest?

earpiece · 24-01-2012 01:01AM

1850 715 815 De live lian is open
Caller, what's your story, ohhhh terrible terribbbbbble terrrribbblllle.

Johro · 24-01-2012 01:39AM

Hmmm... Where to start.? Okaaayyy...
The cuts in wages, job losses, tax hikes and new taxes we're experiencing are caused by irresponsible management, gambling, and/or downright fraud and creative accounting by the big financial institutions, who then, after finding themselves in trouble and having been bailed out by the government with our money, are back in business and running the show as usual. Knowing that all the measures taken by the government, instructed by the IMF, are not going to make a difference. They know it, the government knows it, every economist worth his salt knows it.
There is not going to be much change at all until politicians grow some balls and stop letting the banks dictate policy. Not just here, but globally. Coz anyone who thinks that their government actually has a say about where we're going is plain naive. We are now all working for the people who got us into this shit.
It's time they wrote off their debts and started anew. The f#ckers have us paying interest on loans we needed after bailing them out. They're making profits. And politicians haven't the balls to challenge them, what is important to them, more than anything, is re-election.
Why the need to constantly question the need for protest? Because it seems obvious to me we're being taken for fools.

K-9 · 24-01-2012 01:48AM

Seems to be the same types protesting as would have been 6/7 years ago.

It'll take one movement to get the populace excited, something that benefits all. Give it 2/3 years, higher taxes and cuts to Welfare and PS pay. Something like the PD's will happen, saying cutting taxes will lead to riches for all.

Cutting taxes will become the new religion and anybody saying otherwise will be ostracised. Cutting taxes worked before sure, yep, and property always goes up.

AngryBollix · 24-01-2012 01:55AM

earpiece wrote: »

1850 715 815 De live lian is open
Caller, what's your story, ohhhh terrible terribbbbbble terrrribbblllle.

Thanks Thanks Bye sure sure

Oh god

AudreyHepburn · 24-01-2012 09:45AM

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Would it be unfair to ask if you are a member of a political party?

Unfair....no.

Missing the point....yes.

Can I not question these things as an oridinary citizen?

HellFireClub · 24-01-2012 07:56PM

Dudess wrote: »

I don't disagree with your objections to aspects of the public service, but you're still kinda scapegoating. For instance, if there are sh1t teachers and the system enables them to take the piss, fair enough to criticise this of course, but how does it justify teachers across the board getting it in the neck?

Because all the little insanities within the system, are held together by a union, which they are ALL members of. Every one of them have the standing in life, as human beings, to improve their performance levels, to improve the whole system, but the way they all operate, is that they will not take ownership of any improvements or do anything other than what is in their contract, unless it is negotiated through their union and there is something in it for them. Look at how begrudgingly they gave ONE ADDITIONAL HOUR of service a week, as part of the Croke Park Agreement, when most of them are on less than a 20 hour a week teaching schedule.

I think it's a very strange kind of belligerance and greed that brings about collective behaviour such as this.

Toby Take a Bow · 28-01-2012 11:17AM

HellFireClub wrote: »

I think it's a very strange kind of belligerance and greed that brings about collective behaviour such as this.

I think it's understandable, whether it's right or wrong. The union offers protection for services, I'm not really sure why anyone would willingly give up benefits. You can argue that people should be able to see the whole picture, but it's a very difficult thing for people to do.

The unions can be more hassle than they're worth, but their collective power - if you know how to use it properly - can be incredibly advantageous for workers.

SafeSurfer · 28-01-2012 11:54AM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Unfair....no.

Missing the point....yes.

Can I not question these things as an oridinary citizen?

You start by asking why people need to protest new taxes and charges then you go on to say you are still living at home.

I can understand why you don't feel the need to protest because.

You won't be paying

The household charge
The NPPR
Water rates
Broadcasting charge
Site valuation tax
etc etc.

Dudess · 28-01-2012 11:57AM

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

HellFireClub wrote: »

I think it's a very strange kind of belligerance and greed that brings about collective behaviour such as this.

I think it's understandable, whether it's right or wrong. The union offers protection for services, I'm not really sure why anyone would willingly give up benefits. You can argue that people should be able to see the whole picture, but it's a very difficult thing for people to do.

The unions can be more hassle than they're worth, but their collective power - if you know how to use it properly - can be incredibly advantageous for workers.

Naysayers need to ask themselves: would they abide by their principles in the same situation? Methinks... no.

My name is URL · 28-01-2012 05:03PM

http://www.thejournal.ie/slideshow-topless-protesters-arrested-at-davos-summit-340070-Jan2012/

hatrickpatrick · 28-01-2012 08:21PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I'm not backtracking at all. Just acknowledging that I know there are those genuinely struggling.

But equally many aren't really that badly off, yet they pitch a fit every time a new cut or tax comes out and I am wondering why.

Do they genuinely disagree or is it a case of 'not in my back yard' or 'tax the rich only'?

Again sorry for any offense caused, I have clearly upset a lot of struggling people here.

It's not "tax the rich only", it's "I'm willing to contribute to cleaning up this mess provided that in return I get to see justice served against those who made it."

In other words, you can start taxing ordinary AND rich people who had nothing to do with corruption in the banking sector and politics, after the latter has been milked completely dry. But being asked to give up our lifestyles while the likes of the Golden Circle and our former cabinet are enjoying sunny holidays all over the world feels like being asked to do jail time for a murder while the real murderer is enjoying life on the back of YOUR money which you are being forced to pay him.

We need to see some f*cking accountability. Stop letting them hide behind technicalities and BS, let's see a real investigation and if they are found to be guilty of offenses and corruption then let's see some justice.

And I'm aware that won't solve our problems, but it will make the bitter pills we have to swallow feel a lot less bitter.

28-01-2012 09:40PM

I'm all for people protesting when they feel the need. We live in a country where our government has repeatedly lied to us and as such is it any wonder each new proposal is met with scrutiny and distrust. When we vote No on a European referendum that the Germans and French want passed what happens? Is democracy respected and the wishes of the people held to? No we are forced to vote a second time, this time with the leaders of our country telling lies about what a Yes vote will mean.

Some protests are a little ludicrous and there are far too many full time protesters but there is no other way that the people can make their feelings know to their representatives. I think that the lack of response from Sean Sherlock regarding his proposed SOPA bill showed just how little respect our elected officials have for us. I and many others spent months emailing and ringing Sherlock and didst get a single reply. Had we stood outside his office and protested I imagine that he would have answered some of our questions.

Why the constant need to protest?

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