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General Election 2016: Meath

Dubh Geannain

Mods: I'm not sure as to whether separate threads are required for Meath East and West. But I just wanted to kick things off.

I've just moved into the Meath West from Meath East constituency. One plus is I don't have to look at another Thomas Byrne poster.

Check out
www.smartvote.ie

Green Party then Sinn Féin apparently for me

Are Meath folk looking for a local guy/gal for local issues or a local guy/gal for National issues. A hybrid would be nice.

I see the Social Democrats are currently not running a candidate in Meath West. Personally, I was giving them some consideration.

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Stroke Politics

PauloMN, to clarify, I would not be giving my no. 1 vote to P Tóibín, I like my vote to count all of the way through the count, so I gave him a no. 7, ahead of Malone at 8, and Cassells at 9.

I was at the count centre in Trim for the last election, in 2011 it was TBF, a bit of a joke the length of time it was going on for a relatively straightforward 3-seater constituency. Final declaration was on the Sunday afternoon AFAIR, after adjourning at 1am. I was joking with RTE's Eimear Lowe reporting on the count at the time, that there'd be peace in Libya sooner than this count being completed. HOw wrong I was and how bad that turned out.

busload of northern SF'ers arrives in to chair Tóibín around the hall and disrespect brath na hÉireann. I'll be stating well away from Simonstown Hall this time around....

PauloMN

Stroke Politics wrote: »

I'm not supporting Peadar Tóibín due to his poistion the 8th amendment and the right of a woman to choose. I also feel he is in the wrong party; he himself is a good person, but there is still a whiff of semtex from those he associates with.

This notion of *not* voting for someone based on one issue drives me mad.... almost as bad as voting for someone purely based on one issue. We are voting for a national government, not on one issue. I don't know the individual opinions on the 8th of the candidates I am voting for, and I couldn't care less. There will very likely be a referendum on the issue regardless of who is elected, and I want to vote in people I think we run the economy in the best manner (or make the least balls of it).

chewed wrote: »

I've never been so apathetic or unmotivated for a general election before! I'm sitting here on the PC still trying to decide who to give my votes to or whether to bother at all! I've never once missed voting for an election or referendum but I'm just so unimpressed with the selection of candidates in Meath West.
I may end up flipping a coin!

Bottom up approach. No perfect candidates, just rule out who you think would make the biggest balls of things, and it'll leave you with a slim choice to give your first few preferences to! Don't give ANY preference to anyone who you do not want near the Dáil.

For me it's about trying to vote those in who could form the most credible and stable government, even if I don't especially personally like some of those potential candidates.

haro124

chewed wrote: »

I've never been so apathetic or unmotivated for a general election before! I'm sitting here on the PC still trying to decide who to give my votes to or whether to bother at all! I've never once missed voting for an election or referendum but I'm just so unimpressed with the selection of candidates in Meath West.
I may end up flipping a coin!

Smartvote.ie was helpful for me, see who you actually agree with (if any!)

chewed

I've never been so apathetic or unmotivated for a general election before! I'm sitting here on the PC still trying to decide who to give my votes to or whether to bother at all! I've never once missed voting for an election or referendum but I'm just so unimpressed with the selection of candidates in Meath West.
I may end up flipping a coin!

martinr5232

Fiskar wrote:

Panic setting in the English camp,

Got one of his flyers in the door tonight at about 8 o clock they didnt ring the bell though.

bladespin

Gonna relish giving fg the finger tomorrow.

Fiskar

Panic setting in the English camp,

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2016/news/row-as-election-leaflet-calls-for-voters-to-give-preference-to-minister-over-his-running-mate-34487274.html

I love a bit of drama

Fiskar

The way I see is as before, using Yates analysis which is pretty close I reckon, FG will have 51, FF will have 39, SF will have 29, Labour 7, SD 3, AAA/PBP 6 and indos 22. Renua predicted at just 1! Watch that one.

The SF number is the elephant in the room but it would take FG, Labour, SD and a number of independents to allow FG form any goverment. Enda will sell his soul to the devil but possibly not to SF who have a maths problem in order to get back into power. I see another election before year end with a few party leader changes, chief among the scalps will be Enda and Moany Joany and even perhaps Chuckie (Grizzley) himself.

Fiskar

PopePalpatine wrote: »

I can really empathise with you SP, given that the final seat is a fight between Cassells and Butler I'm debating whether to give Butler a preference just to keep FF out, even though I agree with Butler on pretty much nothing (even less than Cassells, according to smartvote.ie). I couldn't be bothered with any of the independents either.

I think Butlers time is done and needs a miracle to get back in. Cassells would have a lot of local backing in Navan and is quite a critic of Michael Martin and I give him credit for that having heard him on more than one occasion voice open criticism. I would be giving him a vote over the shinners and FG.
Unfortunately we have little other choice given the parties and candidates in the county.
Peader really needs to leave that party before it implodes, Slabs sentencing is tomorrow and my moral self will never vote for a party with terrorist links and gangland crime connections. My mate lives in Finglas, we have a pint in the local where a convicted bomber who is a sinn fein TD still ambles in to sell an phoblacht. Enough said, even my mate has morals and won't vote for him.

[Deleted User]

Haven't had any of the gombeen men to the door, neither have the neighbours. In my case I think it might be that I told them the last time to go and sh%t in their hats and the next one who called at my door during meal times might actually be at risk of physical harm, but my closest neoghbour thinks that's most likely due to living in the countryside and they won't drive up our road for fear of damaging their cars due to the pot holes :-)

Doesn't really matter who gets in the promises won't be kept. FG's most pressing first order of business on getting into power was to cut overtime for low paid workers, while saying that pay and pensions for corrupt bankers and regulators couldn't be cut/stopped as this would be a breach of the contracts these people had. Laying out the red carpet for Trump so he could put Irish staff on zero hour contracts.

Labour, paraphrasing Rabbit in the headlights (yes I'm aware of the spelling) Promises are what you make to get elected, after that their just words, oh and labours way not Berlin.

FF just no. Asked a good friend who is a party member and is currently out canvassing for the local TD in my dad's area about going into power with FG. He's of the opinion that they should just to stop SF getting power. Asked why and was told it was felt by him that to much of the status quo would change if they got into power, wouldn't elaborate any further on his answer so can't say any more on this but the mind boggles.

SF Don't mind the whiff of Semtex to be honest, all parties in Ireland had that at some stage, FF entered the dail the first time armed because they belived the them FG party wouldn't hand over power without them having to shoot a few TDs.
But most likely not as their a political party that just makes populist noises and nothing will change under their tenure.

Renua. No way in hell, I work 60 hours a week and am paid for 38. If they get in it'll be worse plus their the type that make the Klan sound like moderate reasonable people. Also bit of an animal lover so not a fan of their views on fox hunting etc.

The rest of the parties don't have candidates or I just haven't really looked at their polices enough to be honest.

Independents: still looking at one which just isn't after a TDs pension.

Rather a sad state of afairs to be in to be honest but you get what you vote for.

Donn Cuailnge

PopePalpatine wrote: »

Technically they're not the same thing, there's always the small chance that your vote can work its way down to that last-placed candidate.

No. There is no chance when you fill the ballot paper that the last preference will ever get your vote.
If you don't fill your ballot paper there is a chance that your vote ends up in the non-transferral pile. And your vote is now no longer in play.
Last time out 2 candidates got elected without reaching the quota. This wouldn't happen if everyone filled there ballot paper.

PopePalpatine

Technically they're not the same thing, there's always the small chance that your vote can work its way down to that last-placed candidate.

Donn Cuailnge

PopePalpatine wrote: »

Surely giving them no preference at all dents their chances more than a last place preference, no?

In this election they're nine candidates. Filling 1-8 and leaving one spot blank or filling 1-9 are the same thing. Using either of these methods of voting decreases marginally the chance of your least preferred candidate getting elected.

PopePalpatine

Donn Cuailnge wrote: »

The best use of your ballot is to fill it. This time there is nine candidates. If you give a candidate your final preference in a filled ballot paper they can never get your vote. And you have in fact made it marginally harder for them to get elected.

Surely giving them no preference at all dents their chances more than a last place preference, no?

Donn Cuailnge

haro124 wrote: »

Wouldn't give FF my final preference. First time voter, no stand out candidates in Meath West unfortunately

The best use of your ballot is to fill it. This time there is nine candidates. If you give a candidate your final preference in a filled ballot paper they can never get your vote. And you have in fact made it marginally harder for them to get elected.

haro124

PopePalpatine wrote: »

I can really empathise with you SP, given that the final seat is a fight between Cassells and Butler I'm debating whether to give Butler a preference just to keep FF out, even though I agree with Butler on pretty much nothing (even less than Cassells, according to smartvote.ie). I couldn't be bothered with any of the independents either.

Meath is just old FF heartland unfortunately, I can't see him not getting a seat. Wouldn't give FF my final preference. First time voter, no stand out candidates in Meath West unfortunately

PopePalpatine

I can really empathise with you SP, given that the final seat is a fight between Cassells and Butler I'm debating whether to give Butler a preference just to keep FF out, even though I agree with Butler on pretty much nothing (even less than Cassells, according to smartvote.ie). I couldn't be bothered with any of the independents either.

Stroke Politics

Still undecided, but I do know who I am not going to vote for.

I'm not voting for FF. The last time I gave a vote to FF was in 1997, I have regretted it ever since. Voting for FF is like píssing down your leg, the warmth of it is lovely for about 5 seconds that then you have to deal with the very messy aftermath.

I'm not supporting Peadar Tóibín due to his poistion the 8th amendment and the right of a woman to choose. I also feel he is in the wrong party; he himself is a good person, but there is still a whiff of semtex from those he associates with.

Things would have been an awful lot worse for public servants like me if FG were elected with their own majority the last time. They can't be trusted to govern in the best interests of everybody, and are the slightly-less corrupt version of FF.

My WhichCandidate profile matched best with Labour, but I would find it hard to give them a preference. They are not the Labour Party that I knew, and the tipping point for my previous support for LP came when I saw people with disabilities having to protest outside the Dáil for the retentionof their medical cards. How they could take the medical card from a person with Downs was unforgiveable, and they should have at least threatend to pull the plug, but they did nothing.

I can't see myself supporting Alan Lawes, he impressed my when he was with PBP< but he's switched to the Direct democracy movement, via the National Citzens Movement, and I can never support that type of politics.

The Greens have a lot of ground to make up on their part of the meltdown, they signed off on the bank guarantee as well. And I find the GP leader nauseating.

Have to have a hard think about things tonight. Another election looms in October., I think....

Dubh Geannain

Looks like Ben Gilroy has been making a big push around Dunshaughlin.

Saw him in the flesh there yesterday parked on double yellow lines outside the Garda station. He'd a jumbotron type display with a video of him bleating on about returning power to the people. Then a different van parked out the Dublin road today across from the church with his face emblazoned on it.

bladespin

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

To me, all those promising no water charges, tax cuts, thousands and thousands of social houses, etc etc. are making promises they can't keep to get elected. Now I understand that all parties tend to do this to some extent, I just find that these in particular are completely unrealistic. We're going to spend lots more money but also take in a lot less... how does that work!!??

TBH there are very few promising all of these together, I'd be wary of any that did. I'd be happy if IW being taken back under proper state control, at the moment even they're not sure if they're semi state (they're not) or a private company (they are) having spoken with their advisers lol.

I'm pretty sure the more looney lefties are looking for an increase in corporation tax and tax on high earners - 60k plus to cover - can't be arsed doing the maths tbh but they're pretty quiet on that bit.

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Anyway, still undecided. A little disappointed that the candidate I was planning on voting for hasn't been around. Her office is in my town so maybe she assumes she has the immediate local vote nailed on

Same as that, very quiet on all accounts, had SF up last night, DDi were around too but the major ones seem to have forgotten our estate altogether.

KERSPLAT!

To me, all those promising no water charges, tax cuts, thousands and thousands of social houses, etc etc. are making promises they can't keep to get elected. Now I understand that all parties tend to do this to some extent, I just find that these in particular are completely unrealistic. We're going to spend lots more money but also take in a lot less... how does that work!!??

Anyway, still undecided. A little disappointed that the candidate I was planning on voting for hasn't been around. Her office is in my town so maybe she assumes she has the immediate local vote nailed on

bladespin

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

I'm the same, though of the opposite opinion

TBH if a FG turned up promising to cut my road tax and income tax by the cost of the water bill the choice would be easy but as that's not going to happen and privatization of IW in it's current form almost certainly will happen then it's back to the drawing board lol.

KERSPLAT!

bladespin wrote: »

How is this a free service??? Part of my income and motor tax already pays for it and I have no intention of paying for it twice. I also have a bigger issue with how easily this service could be privatised.

It's a major deciding issue for who I vote for tbh - or who not to be more accurate.

I'm the same, though of the opposite opinion

bladespin

viztopia wrote: »

in relation to people protesting it always amazes me about some peoples sense of entitlement. why should you get services for free? do you know that there are a lot of people in the country who are on private schemes and having been paying for many years? but hey, you wont see me on here bitching about these kind of things......

How is this a free service??? Part of my income and motor tax already pays for it and I have no intention of paying for it twice. I also have a bigger issue with how easily this service could be privatised.

It's a major deciding issue for who I vote for tbh - or who not to be more accurate.

Dubh Geannain

Vego wrote: »

I have my own well but I also see drinking water as a basic human right ....but anyhow

its not a great line up to be fair in this election ....can cassels perform on the big stage, will english get back in and what will he do ...hes already had a go and nothing but appearances on vinny b, Tobin could be party less if he votes against the party again (which could be a good thing), Dr seamus is a good man but the greens just seem to be too much of a push this election .......To be honest who would want to be a td ......

Let this be the end of the water charges detour. I don't have a problem paying for water either myself. I said I attended the marches for differing reasons to a lot on those on the marches. Politics makes strange bedfellows.

Vego

I have my own well but I also see drinking water as a basic human right ....but anyhow

its not a great line up to be fair in this election ....can cassels perform on the big stage, will english get back in and what will he do ...hes already had a go and nothing but appearances on vinny b, Tobin could be party less if he votes against the party again (which could be a good thing), Dr seamus is a good man but the greens just seem to be too much of a push this election .......To be honest who would want to be a td ......

Dubh Geannain

viztopia wrote: »

you will be waiting....
in relation to people protesting it always amazes me about some peoples sense of entitlement. why should you get services for free? do you know that there are a lot of people in the country who are on private schemes and having been paying for many years? but hey, you wont see me on here bitching about these kind of things......

I await you retracting your "keyboard warrior" remark.

I guessed as much. :rolleyes:

It amazes me too but this is not a water charges thread so I suggest you take your gripes elsewhere.

Still waiting on that Fianna Fail apology too I might add. So I'm not surprised.

viztopia

you will be waiting....
in relation to people protesting it always amazes me about some peoples sense of entitlement. why should you get services for free? do you know that there are a lot of people in the country who are on private schemes and having been paying for many years? but hey, you wont see me on here bitching about these kind of things......

I await you retracting your "keyboard warrior" remark.[/QUOTE]

Dubh Geannain

viztopia wrote: »

March for what exactly may I ask?

I attended several in my student days. I'd be a while finding links to those ones.

I attended this one -
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/50000-hit-streets-to-claim-back-the-country-26703613.html
I stood amongst the crowd with my friend and got some confused looks as we both heckled David Begg when he took to the stage.

I also attended a couple of water protest marches. One in Dublin and one in Ratoath on the first National Day of protest.

My reasons may have differed from a majority on those marches but as I said everyone is not going to agree on what they want.

I await you retracting your "keyboard warrior" remark.

viztopia

March for what exactly may I ask?

Dubh Geannain wrote: »

I didn't attack you so there's no need to throw around jibes. I've more than a keyboard in my arsenal and have attended marches previously as well as contacted party representatives on different occasions so please don't simply cast aspersions.

I just can't comprehend your viewpoint that's all. Having seen your explanation it just doesn't wash with me. If that's good enough for you then that's your opinion. That's what makes a democracy. I respect that you've formed an opinion at least against your own metrics.

Say what you want. But don't expect it to go unchallenged.

PS: I hope you did read the link though