Banjo String wrote: » Didn't they just do what FF signed us up to (guided by the troika)
Satriale wrote: » It's the way they run Switzerland, arguably a more successful country than Ireland. Yes immature voting would be a problem in the short term, but people wouldnt be long voting for higher taxes when their cops were pulled off the street. Real democracy, scary thought isnt it!
Iwasfrozen wrote: » Sure there are people killed everyday but you gave the scenario of people voting for higher taxes when the number of gardai begin to fall. But if we can agree that falling numbers of gardai lead to higher crime rates then what about the victims in the meantime? Direct democracy is too destabilizing to be a real alternative.
Rosa Hot Lumberman wrote: » I voted FG and have always voted FG and I will vote FG again.
Satriale wrote: » I'm using that as an extreme example. Lets say the people had a vote on setting up IW, It might just surprise you how many would vote for it (and maybe all government policies, without the cronyism and corruption) I would in the right circumstances, and if those circumstances didnt suit me, at least i would know that the people outvoted me not a Party Whip. Democracy in action, not party politics.
dxhound2005 wrote: » Yes, I like the Swiss idea. The male population, who were the only ones allowed to vote kept women from having a vote up until recent times. The last Canton to give women the vote was in 1990, and then only by court order not by the men voting.
Irish Steve wrote: » We will never know what might have happened had the Troika/IMF taken the nuclear option, which would have shut ALL the existing state services down, and stopped all of the index linked defined benefit pensions, as well as breaking up many of the quangos that are wasting so much money. All of those services would have had to be replaced, but in what form, and with what staff? It could well have been a very painful and traumatic shock to the system that would have changed the nature of Irish Politics and state services for a very long time to come, and in hindsight, given the singular failure of the coalition to bring in the reforms they promised, I am left wondering if the right decision was made. When I hear some of the things that are going on at the moment, the PAC being "warned off", IW giving all manner of extravagant allowances to senior managers, and fringe benefits as well, it's clear that the lessons were not learnt, the culture has not changed, and the "Golden Circle" is alive and well and doing everything it can to ensure that the status quo is restored to "normal" as soon as possible, so that they can fill the trough again. Sickening, and unacceptable, the problem being that there's no alternative that is prepared to address the corruption, cronyism and isolationist culture that exists across so many of the political and public sector divisions. Not voting is not an option, if only one person voted because the rest of us all decided not to, then the result would be based on that one vote, a constitutional change to have a "none of the above" option on a ballot is the only possible way forward, and if more than a defined percentage vote "none", the election is declared invalid, and void, and has to be re run, which might just mean that the parties competing would have to present policies that they can stand over and are prepared to put into place. In the same way, a referendum style question on things like TD's pay that has to be voted on yes or no at each election might restore some control over the political elite, somehow, they have to be made answerable and accountable to the people, as that is how it it supposed to be, and at present very clearly is not. I am under no illusions, the IW fiasco is just the tip of a very big iceberg, and somehow, the whole system has to be changed and fundamentally reformed in order to make it once again fit for purpose, and answerable to the people.
hiFidelity wrote: » The Dáil’s spending watchdog has claimed unknown officials are attempting to "muzzle" its work after it received "unsolicited" Oireachtas legal counsel advice warning it not to examine Irish Water. Public accounts committee chair John McGuinness said all members of the committee want to know why the letter was sent — and who requested it. The whole story is in the Irish Examiner, and because I cannot post links yet, just Google this: 'pac-fury-at-irish-water-questioning-warning'
dxhound2005 wrote: » What is a referendum style question? Is it the same as a referendum? The Constitution doesn't allow referendums on money matters. Otherwise every new tax or charge properly enacted by our democratically elected legislature would be voted down by the people in most likleyhood. And no doubt all existing taxes would be forced to a vote as well by the populist elements. No way to run a country. None of the above. Why don't you and the others who go on about They are all the Same, stand for election?
DamagedTrax wrote: » way to take his good idea and run completely the opposite direction with it. what the poster was speaking of (if i may be so bold to presume) was getting rid of the exact system you described. why shouldnt we vote on politicians wages but not every day small taxation. why does it have to be mutually exclusive? the constitution is very much open to amendment.. and even bent around at some points. im pretty sure a referendum vote should stand according to the constitution but that didnt seem to matter a bit when it didnt go enda's way a few years back. the constitution is ours. we can change it if we so like and the politicians can either like it or cry about it during dail squabbles hour, whatever. as for standing for election, i personally would love to as an independent. maybe i will one day.
dxhound2005 wrote: » And if we halved their wages what good would that do? As it stands politicians only earn a pittance compared to the bosses in the private sector. If we scrapped the whole system it might save enough to pay our social welfare bill for one or two days. Anyone can be a TD if they fancy the money, pity there will be only 160 vacancies in the whole country.
dxhound2005 wrote: » I don't want to close down free speech, but why do you feel the need to repeat what you posted 15 hours ago. I read it the last time, and the dozen or so other posts about that story.
zerks wrote: » A protest took place in Enniscorthy this morning,a decent turnout considering the town is populated by the most apathetic people in the country.
FREETV wrote: » Look at this!https://twitter.com/IrishWater2/status/525718698850787328
zerks wrote: » Great spoof account but most of it is actually closer to the truth than the real thing.
FREETV wrote: » http://www.thejournal.ie/galway-county-council-water-charges-1746333-Oct2014/ Will all the other County Councils follow suit? I should hope so.
In Lonesome Dove wrote: » My sister was telling me that a water meter can cause a fire. It could start at the meter and travel along your pipes and into your foundation. Is that true? Scary sh1t.
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://w6.vanillicon.com/v2/6b1975299c8e5d4897a60061c4f145b7.svg)