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Candidates dont even know what theyre running for

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  • 30-05-2009 9:17pm
    #1
    turgon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,762 ✭✭✭


    Dr Alexander Stafford and Jerry O'Sullivan have a few things in common. They are both candidates seeking election to public office. They both campaign for the end of the "two-tiered" Irish hospital system and promote "fairer" health access. They both want to introduce "fairer" tax regimes, a stimulate employment.

    The main difference is that while Stafford is running for MEP for Ireland South, O'Sullivan is in the running for Cork County councillor.

    And the main problem is that if they do get elected, their respective positions wont even give them the power to enforce the change they promise they will.

    Its a trend Ive noticed in the last weeks. Kathy Sinnot MEP getting people in Tesco to sign petitions for the preservation of services at Bantry hospital. Prospective councillors campaigning for "fairness" on issues not even remotely within their portfolio.

    Which begs the question - are these candidates that are promising changes to issues that can only be implemented through in the Dail really that ignorant, or are they intentionally misleading the public?


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    #2
    InFront
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,698 ✭✭✭InFront


    Even items that are not within a candidates official remit are not necessarily outside of his or her influence. Such influence may come about by association with fellow politicians, with elements within the civil service, and so on.

    I don't think that the examples you mention are particularly good ones in that employment and healthcare funding particularly may not be totally outside of European candidates' remits in their respective locations. Furthermore, county councillors, while less influential, can affect businesses to be attracted to certain locations, convey significant pressure to their relevant TD, etc.


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    #3
    turgon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,762 ✭✭✭turgon


    Good observation. Maybe pointing out that both these candidates are Independents might add more gravity to my argument.

    But in the end, these candidate canvass giving the impression they can fix it - and will if you vote for them. And obviously they technically cant.


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    #4
    brianthebard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,165 ✭✭✭✭brianthebard


    County councillors go on quite a few business junkets looking to drum up business and employment for their area. They also claim a hella lot of expenses for this, so its arguable which they are more interested in. But the point is that there is some direct action they can take in their official position to improve local employment.


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