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General election 2011- Mayo
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22-11-2010 1:29pm#1
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ABM - Anyone but Mulherin!
Based on the substance and quality of your post, perhaps you should stand yourself - NOT!! Michelle Mulherin is a fine politician, educated and articulate with a high degree of common sense. She is a terrier, exactly what is needed rather than the lackeys we have like Calleary. Look for the reports of the last Ballina Town Council meeting for evidence of this.
We are certainly challenged in terms of the quality of politician we have, but we can only elect whoever will stand and its rare for enterpreneurial type people to put themselves in front of others to make a decision on their futures, i.e. by way of allowing their names on the ballot paper. These people want to be in control of their own actions and activities at all times. These people similarly, want action and progress at a rapid rate, not something that is associated with the civil service or government. So why would they put their names forward
In addition to this, remember that the kind of electoral system we employ, means that the "sociable" rather than the intelligent candidate gets elected. Hence we get a particular quality of clientelle.
From a positive perspective, I would agree that most of the Mayo candidates feel that they are contributing something positive. The 3 FG TD's were caught by virtue of being in opposition and hence could not by definition, deliver a lot for the county. Enda Kenny, Michael Ring and John O Mahony have all proven themselves to be hard workers. They have stiven to bring what they could to their constuents at all times. Enda in particular has worked tirelessly to ensure that the FG party came back from the brink of extinction. Something, no-one else had an appetite for at the time.
Beverley was regarded as being outside the FF ranks and as a result her delivery was compromised. I think her stance in relation to Cancer services at Mayo General Hospital will come back to bite her.
The only chance we had a delivery was Calleary and to be honest, he has proven himself as relatively incapable of doing so. He has tried to align himself to some recent positive news in the Ballina area, but to be honest, his role in delivery of anything related to it was minimal in my opinion. I could never understand why Cowen would give him a ministry, albeit Junior. Then again, when you think that Cowen also promoted Minister "Say a Prayer" O Cuiv, from Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, where he made a balls of things, to the Department of Social Protection where he was in charge of the single biggest budget of all Departments, even dwarfing Health, says it all!!
Cowley has had his run and not delivered anything. His alignment to the Rossport 5 probably spelt the end for him, typified by the the fact that he got something like 4 votes in that particular ballot box last time out!!
You will have others like Kilcoyne running as independents. In my opinion, he and his likes will have little to contribute in a new govenment in the sense that they won't, thank god, hold any balance of power. It seems pretty clear that FG and Labour will have a significant enough majority not to need independents help.
Its hard to know what impact Kilcoyne and the anti Govenment sentiment will have on Beverley Flynn in the Castlebar area, such that she could lose her seat. Similarly, Calleary certainly has not delivered outside Ballina and if Michelle Mulherin makes a dent in his vote there, and he has some slippage through anti government sentiment and non delivery outside Ballina, he could well be in trouble too.
I agree that the best result for Mayo is to get 4 FG TD's in the next government, and while I know I will get slated for us, we might have a chance of getting our fair share as a county, something which hasn't happened for many years given the level of government representation we have had, their ability and the status within the Govt. ranks. What a flippin pity we get strength (hopefully!) at a time when the cupboard is bare!! :rolleyes:0 -
Talking about 'the region' or being better represented is part of the problem with our electoral system.
TD's represent their own area. They have clinics in their local constituencies which are attended by people who want things they are not entitled to (under the rules - not necessarily morally).
We need people in government who consider the country as their region and don't give their allegiance to any one part of it. Let local government interact with the government of the country on your behalf.
I want to be governed by a group of people who will do their best for me and mine no matter where I live.
Look at the way Enda Kenny is perceived. I am not particularly a fan of his (or any other politician!) but the fact that he is not from within the Pale will probably cost Fine Gael votes.
We have to get over our tribal way of thinking (me included!).
And to those who would like people from business background and less teachers you will be out of luck.
I think I am correct in saying that when a public servant runs for office, their position is held open for them should they wish to return (not get re-elected!). Someone from the private sector doesn't have that luxury.
All pretty depressing really.
I do think Fianna Fail will still get votes - e.g. someone who votes FF in Mayo will go 'sure what did poor Dara have to do with it, was the Dublin crowd caused it'. Replicate that around each electoral area substituting Dublin with whatever and what do we have?!0 -
Based on the substance and quality of your post, perhaps you should stand yourself - NOT!! Michelle Mulherin is a fine politician, educated and articulate with a high degree of common sense. She is a terrier, exactly what is needed rather than the lackeys we have like Calleary. Look for the reports of the last Ballina Town Council meeting for evidence of this.
We are certainly challenged in terms of the quality of politician we have, but we can only elect whoever will stand and its rare for enterpreneurial type people to put themselves in front of others to make a decision on their futures, i.e. by way of allowing their names on the ballot paper. These people want to be in control of their own actions and activities at all times. These people similarly, want action and progress at a rapid rate, not something that is associated with the civil service or government. So why would they put their names forward
In addition to this, remember that the kind of electoral system we employ, means that the "sociable" rather than the intelligent candidate gets elected. Hence we get a particular quality of clientelle.
From a positive perspective, I would agree that most of the Mayo candidates feel that they are contributing something positive. The 3 FG TD's were caught by virtue of being in opposition and hence could not by definition, deliver a lot for the county. Enda Kenny, Michael Ring and John O Mahony have all proven themselves to be hard workers. They have stiven to bring what they could to their constuents at all times. Enda in particular has worked tirelessly to ensure that the FG party came back from the brink of extinction. Something, no-one else had an appetite for at the time.
Beverley was regarded as being outside the FF ranks and as a result her delivery was compromised. I think her stance in relation to Cancer services at Mayo General Hospital will come back to bite her.
The only chance we had a delivery was Calleary and to be honest, he has proven himself as relatively incapable of doing so. He has tried to align himself to some recent positive news in the Ballina area, but to be honest, his role in delivery of anything related to it was minimal in my opinion. I could never understand why Cowen would give him a ministry, albeit Junior. Then again, when you think that Cowen also promoted Minister "Say a Prayer" O Cuiv, from Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, where he made a balls of things, to the Department of Social Protection where he was in charge of the single biggest budget of all Departments, even dwarfing Health, says it all!!
Cowley has had his run and not delivered anything. His alignment to the Rossport 5 probably spelt the end for him, typified by the the fact that he got something like 4 votes in that particular ballot box last time out!!
You will have others like Kilcoyne running as independents. In my opinion, he and his likes will have little to contribute in a new govenment in the sense that they won't, thank god, hold any balance of power. It seems pretty clear that FG and Labour will have a significant enough majority not to need independents help.
Its hard to know what impact Kilcoyne and the anti Govenment sentiment will have on Beverley Flynn in the Castlebar area, such that she could lose her seat. Similarly, Calleary certainly has not delivered outside Ballina and if Michelle Mulherin makes a dent in his vote there, and he has some slippage through anti government sentiment and non delivery outside Ballina, he could well be in trouble too.
I agree that the best result for Mayo is to get 4 FG TD's in the next government, and while I know I will get slated for us, we might have a chance of getting our fair share as a county, something which hasn't happened for many years given the level of government representation we have had, their ability and the status within the Govt. ranks. What a flippin pity we get strength (hopefully!) at a time when the cupboard is bare!! :rolleyes:
Good post.0 -
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