I thought I would never say this…

jetsonx

I’m voting Fianna Fail in the next election if Fine Gael keep Maria Bailey in their party.

I know loads of small and medium sized business owners who are getting completely filleted by insurance companies.

If Fine Gael decides to keep Maria Bailey in their party… I’m voting Fianna Fail. Simple as.

A) By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is tacitly accepting the pernicious compensation culture of this country.

By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is also sending a signal that they tolerate greedy and morally bankrupt members.

C) By keeping Bailey in the party, they FG are showing their contempt to small business owners across Ireland. These people are the backbone of the country and might be financially strained to pay exorbitant insurance premiums – for payouts for the likes of Maria Bailey and her despicable ilk.

It will teach FG a good lesson.

With you on nearly everything...except Fianna Fail.

banie01

There already a hugely active thread on this topic over in CA and IMHO.

Thelonious Monk

Vote for someone else but not FF, they're the exact same as FG. At this stage we may as well all vote for independents and whatever other parties are in the running, FFFG are as bad as each other.

kikilarue2

banie01 wrote: »

There already a hugely active thread on this topic over in CA and IMHO.

Yup. Absolutely no need for another thread on this.

EmmetSpiceland

Pretty sure 99% of the users claiming to have “voted for FG but never again” are lying through their teeth.

ILoveYourVibes

jetsonx wrote: »

I’m voting Fianna Fail in the next election if Fine Gael keep Maria Bailey in their party.

I know loads of small and medium sized business owners who are getting completely filleted by insurance companies.

If Fine Gael decides to keep Maria Bailey in their party… I’m voting Fianna Fail. Simple as.

A) By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is tacitly accepting the pernicious compensation culture of this country.

By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is also sending a signal that they tolerate greedy and morally bankrupt members.

C) By keeping Bailey in the party, they FG are showing their contempt to small business owners across Ireland. These people are the backbone of the country and might be financially strained to pay exorbitant insurance premiums – for payouts for the likes of Maria Bailey and her despicable ilk.

It will teach FG a good lesson.

With you on nearly everything...except Fianna Fail.

I totally understand each of your positions.

Mrcaramelchoc

Im swinging back and forth on it.

Auguste Comte

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Pretty sure 99% of the users claiming to have “voted for FG but never again” are lying through their teeth.

Your probably just projecting. Most people are honest and decent. Bailey Farrell and their supporters would seem to be the dishonest ones.

_blaaz

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Pretty sure 99% of the users claiming to have “voted for FG but never again” are lying through their teeth.

Talking to FG members locally they are expecting a battering at next election and many are unhappy with direction leadership.is taking the party and the way they are doing nothing to.stop.the haermorage of votes....


upto 25% loss in internal polling for some.middle class areas

RustyNut

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Pretty sure 99% of the users claiming to have “voted for FG but never again” are lying through their teeth.

What, like a Fine Gael TD filling out an insurance claim?

ILoveYourVibes

I am going to give it a go.

Although FF right now seem to have zero personality and zero political positions.

storker

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Vote for someone else but not FF, they're the exact same as FG. At this stage we may as well all vote for independents and whatever other parties are in the running, FFFG are as bad as each other.

It helps to think of them as different wings of the Gombeen Party.

odyssey06

FG are starting to stink... something seems to rot parties from the head the longer they are in office. We will probably have to hope the wilderness years has put some manners on FF and they will at least be fresh for a while. Until the cycle starts again.

is_that_so

_blaaz wrote: »

Talking to FG members locally they are expecting a battering at next election and many are unhappy with direction leadership.is taking the party and the way they are doing nothing to.stop.the haermorage of votes....


upto 25% loss in internal polling for some.middle class areas

All a bit too much panic TBH. If voters are apparently jumping it's damned if they do and damned if they don't and those votes are most likely lost. There's no upside for FG out of all of this no matter what they do.

is_that_so

storker wrote: »

It helps to think of them as different wings of the Gombeen Party.

Who's that now?

bigar

I have been on this wonderful little island for 18 years now and, where I know (more or less) what Sinn Fein and the Greens stand for, I still do not know the difference between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They both are a grey mass with nothing that distinguishes between the two.

is_that_so

bigar wrote: »

I have been on this wonderful little island for 18 years now and, where I know (more or less) what Sinn Fein and the Greens stand for, I still do not know the difference between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They both are a grey mass with nothing that distinguishes between the two.

FG are supposed to be more about fiscal responsibility and they have a more liberal social wing. FF are the party for all people. Their target is the centre where the majority of voters lie.

Auguste Comte

is_that_so wrote: »

bigar wrote: »

I have been on this wonderful little island for 18 years now and, where I know (more or less) what Sinn Fein and the Greens stand for, I still do not know the difference between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They both are a grey mass with nothing that distinguishes between the two.

FG are supposed to be more about fiscal responsibility and they have a more liberal social wing. FF are the party for all people. Their target is the centre where the majority of voters lie.

In reality they both stand for filling their own pockets and nothing else.

is_that_so

Auguste Comte wrote: »

In reality they both stand for filling their own pockets and nothing else.

And yet one of them will be the main government party after the next GE.

lawred2

jetsonx wrote: »

I’m voting Fianna Fail in the next election if Fine Gael keep Maria Bailey in their party.

I know loads of small and medium sized business owners who are getting completely filleted by insurance companies.

If Fine Gael decides to keep Maria Bailey in their party… I’m voting Fianna Fail. Simple as.

A) By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is tacitly accepting the pernicious compensation culture of this country.

By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is also sending a signal that they tolerate greedy and morally bankrupt members.

C) By keeping Bailey in the party, they FG are showing their contempt to small business owners across Ireland. These people are the backbone of the country and might be financially strained to pay exorbitant insurance premiums – for payouts for the likes of Maria Bailey and her despicable ilk.

It will teach FG a good lesson.

But could you have gone to anything other than FG's greener wing?

Not that much a statement really. You think FF will stand against the insurance companies?

Auguste Comte

Indeed and the incompetence and corruption of FG will almost guarantee that it will be FF.

is_that_so

lawred2 wrote: »

But could you have gone to anything other than FG's greener wing?

Not that much a statement really. You think FF will stand against the insurance companies?

Insurance companies are the lesser of two evils. Address the legal and awards issues and they have fewer excuses.

is_that_so

Auguste Comte wrote: »

Indeed and the incompetence and corruption of FG will almost guarantee that it will be FF.

No, voter choices will do that. They are the only two main government options in any GE.

EmmetSpiceland

Is there a way of reporting a thread to have it buried in the “Current Affairs” forum?

I don’t want to report a user directly as they haven’t done anything “wrong” exactly.

The Tetrarch

bigar wrote: »

I have been on this wonderful little island for 18 years now and, where I know (more or less) what Sinn Fein and the Greens stand for, I still do not know the difference between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They both are a grey mass with nothing that distinguishes between the two.

That is politics.
You find out the position of the electorate and you move your position to that, and that results in more votes.
If everyone wants free vet care for dogs, or if everyone wants learner drivers to be accompanied by a parent then they become policies. After the election they become law when the legislation is drafted (never).

Auguste Comte

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Is there a way of reporting a thread to have it buried in the “Current Affairs” forum?

I don’t want to report a user directly as they haven’t done anything “wrong” exactly.

You were happy to contribute earlier,is it not going your way?

EmmetSpiceland

Auguste Comte wrote: »

You were happy to contribute earlier,is it not going your way?

There’s already a thread, full of “cranks” and “bots”, on this topic in that forum.

It’s also become a dump for any insurance related stories and has lots of “I used to vote FG but never again” types too.

Auguste Comte

Auguste Comte wrote: »

You were happy to contribute earlier,is it not going your way?

After Hours has the most traffic of any forum, and within a thread casting FG in an unfavourable light. Which has provoked the ire of the three-headed monster.

Auguste Comte

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Auguste Comte wrote: »

You were happy to contribute earlier,is it not going your way?

There’s already a thread, full of “cranks” and “bots”, on this topic in that forum.

It’s also become a dump for any insurance related stories and has lots of “I used to vote FG but never again” types too.

Are you referring to the thread about the two Fine Gael TD's who made dodgy insurance claims, one of whom even attempted to use fotos from a different incident to help put their hands into other peoples pockets and help themselves to money they had no right to, their acceptance in the Fine Gael parliamentary party and the weak leadership of Leo Vradkar and his inability to deal with the issue?

super_furry

Fine Gael won't let her stand. She's in the Dun Laoghaire constituency where they hold three of the four seats. If she goes knocking on doors or has people out canvassing for her she wouldn't just lose her own seat, she'd run a real risk of losing all three FG seats in the constituency.

Feisar

I'll be campaigning for a no vote. Is there a required percentage voter turnout required for an election to stand?

odyssey06

Feisar wrote: »

I'll be campaigning for a no vote. Is there a required percentage voter turnout required for an election to stand?

No. And in fact seats are allocated to constituencies on the basis of population not total votes cast.

LionelNashe

After FF f*cked up the country, I reckoned they deserved 10 years in the wilderness. Now, seeing how FG are dealing with the housing crisis, I'm ready to try FF again. i.e. I'll give FF a preference immediately after my actual preferred candidates so that they FF have the transfer when my first choices are eliminated.

LionelNashe

bigar wrote: »

I have been on this wonderful little island for 18 years now and, where I know (more or less) what Sinn Fein and the Greens stand for, I still do not know the difference between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They both are a grey mass with nothing that distinguishes between the two.

Best way to decide which of them to vote for is to watch the 'Michael Collins' film from 20 years ago and decide who you like better, Liam Neeson or Alan Rickman.

Tell me how

jetsonx wrote: »

I’m voting Fianna Fail in the next election if Fine Gael keep Maria Bailey in their party.

I know loads of small and medium sized business owners who are getting completely filleted by insurance companies.

If Fine Gael decides to keep Maria Bailey in their party… I’m voting Fianna Fail. Simple as.

A) By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is tacitly accepting the pernicious compensation culture of this country.

By keeping Bailey in the party, FG is also sending a signal that they tolerate greedy and morally bankrupt members.

C) By keeping Bailey in the party, they FG are showing their contempt to small business owners across Ireland. These people are the backbone of the country and might be financially strained to pay exorbitant insurance premiums – for payouts for the likes of Maria Bailey and her despicable ilk.

It will teach FG a good lesson.

I'm voting for the person in my constituency who I think is most aligned with my values and capable of doing the job of representing me in Dail Eireann.

Ok, they happen not to be FG members but if they were, I'd probably still vote for them.

(Also, I think FG are playing with Bailey and using her as some sort of fly trap for all hate at the moment and they will drop her before the GE. They won't necessarily win votes for doing so, but I think they are calculating that it might be less damaging to have a few months of this than people talking about Health/Housing/Hospitals cost etc. )

Feisar

odyssey06 wrote: »

No. And in fact seats are allocated to constituencies on the basis of population not total votes cast.

Thank you and bugger it at the same time! Nothing for it so, get the pitchforks!

Joking aside the Repeal campaigners turned into a well oiled machine. it was commented on the radio one day around the time of the vote. Whatsapp groups at a local level to ensure there was always a voice on the streets of towns up and down the country, canvassing etc. Pity we can't seem to generate the same kind of get up and go to try elicit some change.

InTheShadows

Anyone voting FF or FG after the evidence of what they have done to our country over the years needs their head tested. I'll be voting SF and giving them the chance to change things for the better but iv'e the height of respect for anyone who makes the choice of voting for anybody but FG/FF.

Airyfairy12

Why vote for Fianna Fail? there are other parties to vote for.
Ill be voting Sinn fein.

mrm

Mrcaramelchoc wrote: »

Im swinging back and forth on it.

Yeah, but do you have the bottle to bring it all down? Do you?

patmac

It’s all getting very depressing again.
I’m not voting
Fianna Fáil because they fcuked the country up 12 years ago in case people haven’t forgotten.
Fianna Gael because of Maria Bailey and Leo seems to have lost the plot.
Sinn Fein: Because Mary Lou, and I have never voted for them and never will.
The Green Party: would love to but their policies are cuckoo.
Labour: who? It took me a while to remember they still exist.
This leaves Independent, in fairness our lad is hard working and has done a lot for the area.
Fianna Gael need to ditch Bailey and quickly and get their act together. The Greens could do well if they bring out sensible policies but I doubt they are capable.

swarlb

bigar wrote: »

I have been on this wonderful little island for 18 years now and, where I know (more or less) what Sinn Fein and the Greens stand for, I still do not know the difference between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They both are a grey mass with nothing that distinguishes between the two.

I've been on this wonderful little island for a tad longer than yourself. Not sure if SF actually know what they stand for themselves, and as for the Greens... I actually was pleased to see a Green movement when they started in Europe. I thought they would be a voice for the future, but they seemed to be more 'activist' than 'active'. I was pleased to see them finally get in power with FF, although I fully expected them to be eaten up. I lost complete faith in them however when Gormley waffled on about 'lightbulbs', but when he advocated diesel cars as being 'green', I knew they hadn't got a clue what they were about. A child of 10 could have told them that diesel cars were dirty...
So, to FF and FG. Well. I'd be a FF man, although I always gave my second preference to Jim Mitchell as he was a local, and a friend (we attended the same school). I knew him to be honest and decent, as were many FF ministers down through the years.
Here is the difference for me, and this was held up by a relative who served as a secretary to many different ministers down through the years.
FF ministers to me seemed to actually know what they were doing, in so far as they understood the mechanics of the job. FG seemed to be happy that they actually 'got the job' but seemed unsure of 'how things worked'.
This analogy might serve to explain a bit better.
You know the guy who goes into the guitar shop, more to try to 'show off' his skills, than actually buy a guitar.
So, they attempt Stairway to Heaven or Smoke on the Water, and while on listening it might sound right, they usually leave out a few notes, or get the fingering a tad wrong.
Then a guy comes in and with no drama.... just gets it right, the extra triplet on the bass drum, the sustained D no one gets.... he simply KNOWS what he is doing.
FF to me are like that, it's instilled into them from birth, they practise hard every day, waiting for their turn, because they seem to believe it's their birthright.
FG always seem to be a bit late for the party, they start practise when they are teenagers, when it's too late, no dedication, no self belief.
I'm not saying that FF are any better or worse than FG, but in my experience, things seem to 'get done' under FF, and mostly 'undone' under FG.
It's not that hard to build houses, and I'm sure I remember it being said that FF are the 'builders' party.
Make of it what you will, it's just my tuppence worth.

Franz Von Peppercorn II

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Pretty sure 99% of the users claiming to have “voted for FG but never again” are lying through their teeth.

People change their votes Emmet.

Franz Von Peppercorn II

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

There’s already a thread, full of “cranks” and “bots”, on this topic in that forum.

It’s also become a dump for any insurance related stories and has lots of “I used to vote FG but never again” types too.

Jesus wept man, people not voting for your party are not bots or cranks. The insurance story will continue until it’s sorted. That’s the way with politics.

InTheShadows wrote: »

Anyone voting FF or FG after the evidence of what they have done to our country over the years needs their head tested. I'll be voting SF and giving them the chance to change things for the better but iv'e the height of respect for anyone who makes the choice of voting for anybody but FG/FF.

SF would literally kill the economy.

They aren’t even that nationalist these days. Useful protest vote but that’s it. On the decline anyway.

Pherekydes

Some one fell off a swing and tried to capitalise on it. Not going to change the way I vote because of it.

_blaaz

is_that_so wrote: »

All a bit too much panic TBH. If voters are apparently jumping it's damned if they do and damned if they don't and those votes are most likely lost. There's no upside for FG out of all of this no matter what they do.

Tbf im from constituency where varadkar led the attack on consultants accusing them of lying (and also vibe they want to close hospital locally)


So might be on more extreme end....but some members refused to canvass/help em.last time over this....they are shedding votes and doing nothing to address it....is a damnation upon its leadership??

Wabbit Ears

After the disgracefull shennigans in the ashbourne area council ill never ever vote for FF ever. Ever ever ever.

Franz Von Peppercorn II

Pherekydes wrote: »

Some one fell off a swing and tried to capitalise on it. Not going to change the way I vote because of it.

Bit unspecific there.

At a time when insurance costs are spiralling, insurance companies are leaving Ireland, events are being postponed and businesses are closing a member of the governing party in Parliament was pursuing a spurious claim against a hotel for falling off a swing while drunk, aided by another member who was a solicitor. Meanwhile the governing party has filed a useless internal report and not sanctioned the TD, and as a government done nothing about the problem. Along with the other problems they’ve done nothing about.

Woke Hogan

I think Ireland really needs to reconsider going in a more socialistic or Communist direction. The neoliberal experiment is clearly not working.

rob316

There is very little alternative, SF look in an even worse state than the last general election if the locals are anything to go by.
We will swing back to FF next until we are sick of them and go back to FG.
I could never vote FG, that elitist snob varadkar is the most unlikable taoiseach I can remember.

Thelonious Monk

Lads please, just don't vote for FF and FG. We've had too long of mismanagement of funds. I really think the independents and Social Democrats and whatever other clowns are running for office can do any worse. It's top civil servants that run the country anyway these eejit ministers and TDs just poke around and mess things up trying to please their constituents and themselves. Let's get them out finally. FFFG out!!!