Who to Vote for in Laois????

elvis jones

Is mise le key wrote: »

I think your being a little bit pedantic really,

He will only take the AIW.

Now is that worded better?

If the rest of the money goes to building the party, and you beleive that it is a worthwhile party, (which you dont but that aside), and that party works for the people then your view is kind if contradicting itself.

Stanley has proven himself with the people of laois offaly, & if the voters that give him a number one because of his work for them know that the rest of the money paid to him will go into building the party they have received so much work from on their behalf, then it really justifys itself if he gets elected and said party becomes stronger to work on their behalf even more.

If they gave it to charity it would be very admirable also but why not build the party stronger in order to give back more of what the people have democratically voted for.

The Socialist party/United Left Alliance have always had this as one of their party foundations, joe higgins has never taken any more than the AIW & built the Socialist party to what it is today.

Ray Fitz has also vowed to only take the AIW & put the rest back into the party that the people who give him their vote for.

I find it hard to understand how you can find anything wrong in this really.

I find it wrong to take public money and hand it over to a political party. Why not hand it back and let it do some good in health or education. No spend it to build a party to push your own personal views.

As i said i admire the man and the work he does ( Stanley ) but Sein Finn's lack of policies means no vote from me.

And i am far from a socialist so no vote for the other gent also. At the moment i am undecided but i think an indo will get my no 1.

Is mise le key

elvis jones wrote: »

I find it wrong to take public money and hand it over to a political party. Why not hand it back and let it do some good in health or education. No spend it to build a party to push your own personal views.

As i said i admire the man and the work he does ( Stanley ) but Sein Finn's lack of policies means no vote from me.

And i am far from a socialist so no vote for the other gent also. At the moment i am undecided but i think an indo will get my no 1.

You missed the fundamental point of my post,

If people are willing to vote for a candidate that has said he/she will take the AIW & use the rest to promote the party THEY voted for then that is democracy in action, the voters are giving the candidate the endorsement for this course of action with the public money he/she will be awarded for entering public office.

Your argument is flawed, if a candidate said that they would use 100% of anything they earned should they be elected to promote the party you are voting for then it is totally morally just, moreso than huge donations to a party from business interests.

stargirl2k8

Brian Stanley is like the Pearse Doherty of the Laois/Offaly region. He is intelligent, hard-working and extremely dedicated to the people of Laois. Lets face it Sinn Fein aren't going to become part of any government any time soon so for those who aren't in favour of some of their policies, like myself, that isn't an issue. He would be an asset for the area as a Dail representative.

Charlie Flanagan is another I find very approachable, had some very good answers to questions posed to him on the door too from what I hear. Would like to see Rotimi Adebari getting in but I believe he may just miss out this time. He has some great ideas and has been a very hard worker for the area.

I firmly believe in voting for candidates rather than the party but in the case of Fianna Fail, I wouldn't give a second thought to any of their candidates. Not just because the party has brought the country to financial ruin but because Barry Cowen is the brother of the man who helped bring this about and Moloney and Fleming his two buddies.

Shazanne

While in previous elections I would generally have agrred that voting for candidates was the wisest move, in this particularly crucial one, I think voting for parties may be the best way to go. The country needs a strong Government at this point so having a scramble of parties and Independents would only lead to another collapse.

kikel

Hope this is allowed,

adser53

kikel wrote: »

Hope this is allowed,

Great thanks for that kikel, I'll be watching that online

MickShamrock

I can't believe that is being streamed on the internet! :pac:

An Ri rua

For those for whom animal rights are a key issue, especially with Fine Gael likely in government and an assault on Green achievements in that area likely, its worth having a look here:-

http://www.banbloodsports.com/views.htm#tds Full TD contact details plus info on what they have said. For what its worth, Fine Gael are AGIN anything that interferes with 'tradition' in rural areas, as is Micheal Martin, who talked of 'traditions' that go back to before the state was founded i.e. when the brits were here and when women had no vote. When piped water was a luxury and child mortality was much higher. Most of Fianna fail TDs (being rural) are against the green Party's strong-armed legislation. They were forced into it.
Martin Ferris thinks its an inalienable right down in kerry North. Presumably becaue he still thinks the landlords are AGIN him. Even though its the modern landlords (farmer) vote he's after.....
Brian Stanley? I don't know but I will find out. And he'll lose my number one and a good few others if he's the wrong side of republican. You can't believe in justice, equality etc and then turn a blind eye to animals; as hard republicans like Martin ferris do and soft ones like Tom McGurk. I am a vegan republican who lives and let lives but unneccessary suffering should not be tolerated and, in fact, should be punished...... and sometimes is.

With Laois having it's very own puppy farm (disgusting concept even), it is worth asking yourself can you live with animal suffering where its not required?

If we cannot build a society where animals are respected, then humans have no chance. The results of current thinking are all around you. If I see a lack of empathy in a human for innocent creatures, I would not trust them with my childrens' futures.

Shazanne

I am fully behind you on animal rights - fully and 100%. I have been waiting (im)patiently for canvassers to call to my door to take up that very issue with them. So far not one has come! And, if they can't be bother to come to me to seek my support, I don't see why I should go out of my way to support them.
Anyway, I will be checking out that site you posted and, when it comes to policies on animal rights, I will favour the party/individual who is most strongly on the side of animals!

elvis jones

Just wondering has anyone actually had any candidates at their doors ?

We've had just one, Eddie Fitzpatrick.

Brain Stanley had some of his people but not himself. They are the only 2 knocks we've had so far.

Shazanne

elvis jones wrote: »

Just wondering has anyone actually had any candidates at their doors ?

We've had just one, Eddie Fitzpatrick.

Brain Stanley had some of his people but not himself. They are the only 2 knocks we've had so far.

We haven't had one - not a single knock! I am totally disgusted! Haven't even had any literature dropped in the letterbox!

Is mise le key

108,000 addresses in Laois Offaly..........moonumental task to get to half of that, i beleive it is the largest constituency in the country to cover.

Shazanne

Point taken. However, it does seem uncanny that they would ALL miss this area. Plus, where I live there are a big number of people who have moved here since the last Election and many of them are registered to vote. This would be their first time to vote in Laois/Offaly (including myself) so you'd imagine that the candidates might capitalize on this?

elvis jones

Is mise le key wrote: »

108,000 addresses in Laois Offaly..........moonumental task to get to half of that, i beleive it is the largest constituency in the country to cover.

Indeed but at the last elecetion we had at least 6 of the candidates at our door. This time its all leaflets.

Its been mentioned on media outlets and on other sites that very little candidates are going to the door. They are either sending others or just leaflet dropping.

Is mise le key

Shazanne wrote: »

Point taken. However, it does seem uncanny that they would ALL miss this area. Plus, where I live there are a big number of people who have moved here since the last Election and many of them are registered to vote. This would be their first time to vote in Laois/Offaly (including myself) so you'd imagine that the candidates might capitalize on this?

Do you mind saying what part of laois offaly you live in?

elvis jones wrote: »

Indeed but at the last elecetion we had at least 6 of the candidates at our door. This time its all leaflets.

Its been mentioned on media outlets and on other sites that very little candidates are going to the door. They are either sending others or just leaflet dropping.

I would only be able to comment on Ray Fitzpatricks behalf, it was a very quick campaign needing to be organised in less than 2 weeks & he has extremeley limited resources financially & in man power.

He most liklely wont get to canvass even 5% of the constituency & will try & get some literature through every door but you can review the United Left Alliance programme on the link in my sig or take a look at rays facebook page,

www.facebook.com/pages/Ray-FitzPatrick/185132581518364


I will upload Rays leaflet for you tomorrow, also i have the card the will be in the post attached.

**Vai**

elvis jones wrote: »

Indeed but at the last elecetion we had at least 6 of the candidates at our door. This time its all leaflets.

Its been mentioned on media outlets and on other sites that very little candidates are going to the door. They are either sending others or just leaflet dropping.

Lucky you. Ive had every single one of them at my door. I usually just let the dogs bark til they go away. Its very easy to make promises on someones doorstep.

MickShamrock

I've had a few of them round, but don't bother answering the door.

Shazanne

I live in Portlaoise. I would love them to come to my door! In fact I'm sick of waiting for them to call at this stage!

Is mise le key

What estate & i will mention it to Ray & see if he can get a canvass done there, aggain Ray's resources are no where near what the big parties are operating with, i mean the amount of the 8 foot X 4 foot posters about.....each one of those cost €30 plus, seems the main parties rely on buying your vote with sheer abundance of advertising.

MickShamrock

There are a lot more pressing issues in this country at present than animal rights. That would be pretty low on my list of priorities when choosing a candidate to vote for. Actually, to be honest, it would be a non-issue.

Shazanne

MickShamrock wrote: »

There are a lot more pressing issues in this country at present than animal rights. That would be pretty low on my list of priorities when choosing a candidate to vote for. Actually, to be honest, it would be a non-issue.

That, as they say, is your problem and, while you might feel it is low on the list of priorities, to say that it is a "non-issue" is a blatant insult to the thousands who feel otherwise. While many of your issues may not be a priority to me, I respect the fact that everyone has their own issues of importance and would never undermine them.
I would not waste my time giving you reasons why animal rights are a vital issue as it would probably fall on deaf ears. But, while you issues are no doubt very noble and worthwhile, I feel that mine, including the rights and welfare of animals, are equally so.

elvis jones

Sorry but its a non issue for me as well so mick is not alone in his view.

I have myself and my family to think of and issues that involve them are the ones i care about personally.

I'm not saying i don't care about animals, but in relation to the general election.

Shazanne

Ok - I take your point on board. I have a family, mortgage, bills etc that I am worried about too - very worried in fact. But animal welfare also happens to be a major issue for me - it always has been and always will be.
But I accept the fact that others may not feel the same, just as I was lambasted the other day by a colleague when I said that gay rights is not an issue for me - which it isn't.
We all have our issues and we all have the right to air them. Reality is, that when this election is over, we will all still have our issues and none of them will be addressed.

elvis jones

Shazanne wrote: »

Ok - I take your point on board. I have a family, mortgage, bills etc that I am worried about too - very worried in fact. But animal welfare also happens to be a major issue for me - it always has been and always will be.
But I accept the fact that others may not feel the same, just as I was lambasted the other day by a colleague when I said that gay rights is not an issue for me - which it isn't.
We all have our issues and we all have the right to air them. Reality is, that when this election is over, we will all still have our issues and none of them will be addressed.

I agree we all have our personal issues.........

MickShamrock

I don't have any personal axe to grind with any of the election candidates. The point I was trying to make is that the country is in the midst of a major recession and getting the right people in office to fix it is the only issue that comes to mind when I plan on voting in this election.

Animal welfare is all well and good. I hate animal cruelty, but not that is not the most pressing issue right now. Let's get the economy back up and running first and sort this debt crisis, then worry about the rest of it.

xE

Have to agree with Mick and Elvis, like gay rights, animal rights is absolutely a total non-issue for me and from my experience, the majority of people in this constituency. Its not on the radar, not on the sonar, not even on the same hemisphere!

If that's the most important issue in your life right now, then fair play to you! If a candidate mentioned his/her policy on animal rights in their canvass blurb, I'd shut the door on them. Seriously. As a former canvasser, I can only make an educated guess that the canvassers must be giggling all the way to the next doorstep after meeting you.

ADTR

The one and only question I have to ask candidates at my door is whether or not they are a cat or dog person. I feel you can tell alot from a person's answer and this is how I am deciding who to vote for.

xE

ADTR wrote: »

The one and only question I have to ask candidates at my door is whether or not they are a cat or dog person. I feel you can tell alot from a person's answer and this is how I am deciding who to vote for.

Shazanne

xE wrote: »

Have to agree with Mick and Elvis, like gay rights, animal rights is absolutely a total non-issue for me and from my experience, the majority of people in this constituency. Its not on the radar, not on the sonar, not even on the same hemisphere!

If that's the most important issue in your life right now, then fair play to you! If a candidate mentioned his/her policy on animal rights in their canvass blurb, I'd shut the door on them. Seriously. As a former canvasser, I can only make an educated guess that the canvassers must be giggling all the way to the next doorstep after meeting you.

I think you might be well advised to re-read what I have said - then perhaps consider apoligising for what you have replied:mad:
I never said that animal rights (or indeed any other issue) was the most "important issue" in my life right now - that is very far from the case. I said it is an important issue - not the important issue to me and I make no apologies for that. It's up to me if I raise the issue with canvassers - it's up to ignorant people like you if you are "giggling all the way to the next door" after meeting me! How dare you - and God help whoever you canvassed for if you treated peoples issues in that manner! Are you brave enough to tell us??
This is the first time I have a vote in this constituency and, quite frankly, if I felt that canvassers behave in the way you do then I wouldn't be bothered either voting or encouraging my family, neighbours and friends to do so in Laois.

MickShamrock

xE wrote: »

Have to agree with Mick and Elvis, like gay rights, animal rights is absolutely a total non-issue for me and from my experience, the majority of people in this constituency. Its not on the radar, not on the sonar, not even on the same hemisphere!