Why no alternitive

Thomond Pk

therecklessone wrote:

Except the row-back has started already, with a DAA-built (and run if they're smart/cynical enough) 2nd terminal on the way instead of an independant cost-effective terminal. McCreevy is gone, and with him any chance of the radical reform of the airport that really threathened FF electoral support in Dublin North.

By the way, I live in the constituency and work in the airport.

I did significant research on the airport three years ago and virtually everyone I spoke to had major reservations about the lack of capital investment. The second terminal will not even have cleared planning by the time of the next election and as you well know most Aer Lingus workers are deeply unhappy with the changes at the airline.

Couple this with the DAA being straddled with a mountain of debt relating to Cork Airport and the full picture of discontent becomes clear.

therecklessone wrote:

I say again, for clarity or emphasis.

SWP

Socialist Party

Clare Daly is a Socialist Party councillor. The SWP do not have any TDs or councillors

You are correct on this; I often mix up the two as they both have similarly unworkeable policies and will always be marginalised. Although from Berties point of view it is lucky that the Gama workers can't vote along with most of the future employees in Dublin Airport in National Elections.

Capt'n Midnight

RagShagBill wrote:

You could always voice your annoyance by voting for nobody, by simply spoiling your ballot. Or vote PD and give them more power within the FF/PD coaltion.

WTF
Spoilling your vote is what the big parties want you to do. It does not affect them in the slightest. In the past many results would have been different if people had voted instead of spoilling thier vote.

There is a theory that mass vote spoiling would show that the govt didn't have the respect of the people but, as shown in the US and UK you can rule even if 70% of the electorate don't vote for you. So they can ignore up to 70% vote spoiling.

Another reason not to spoil your vote is that SF in the past hijacked this practise by caliming it represented their support. (like they hijack a lot of things done by people whom they don't have links to) Dustin is not and never has been a member of SF.

PD's - I would remind you of their slogan "high standards in high places". I'll let you decide if they live up to their own ideals.

If you want to register a protest vote, simply vote for them last prefernece and work your way back to number one. That way you vote against them instead of sabre rattling that no one will hear.

FX Meister

I've voted FG in the past but never would again. I've seen first hand the lies and dirty tricks they have used first hand. From that wanker Enda Kenny all the way down the line. FG has been in my family since my grandmother was a blueshirt but I've seen their true colours and they are no different to any other party. In fact I'd say FF have a bit more loyalty to their long term members and have more ingetrity than FG.

fly_agaric

Thomond Pk wrote:

The one error you make in that calculation is that Bertie doesn't have any pulling power on the northside anymore.

So true. I wonder if he'll still be first past the post with a whopping great surplus in Dublin Central? Somehow I doubt it. People are seriously píssed at FF. Should be fun!:D

fly_agaric

Thomond Pk wrote:

Yes health is still a problem; with the amount of money that has been thrown at it we should have the best health system in Europe.

Hmm... I thought we still were spending slightly less that the EU average on our health service - which was starved of money for a very long time while other countries were pouring money into theirs.
I'm not saying that what is being spent is being spent well of course...

Thomond Pk

FX Meister wrote:

I've voted FG in the past but never would again. I've seen first hand the lies and dirty tricks they have used first hand. From that wanker Enda Kenny all the way down the line. FG has been in my family since my grandmother was a blueshirt but I've seen their true colours and they are no different to any other party. In fact I'd say FF have a bit more loyalty to their long term members and have more ingetrity than FG.

As the delegate from Waterford at the Ard Fheis said Charlie Haughey should have been venerated by the party. The direct quote was 'FF are a family and blood is thicker than water, I call on all the delegates here to pass a motion stating their public support for our great former leader' If that was said about someone in similar circumstances at a FG Ard Fheis they would have expelled and not loudly applauded. Haughey's sins occured at a time when the Health service was being lacerated.

fly_agaric wrote:

Hmm... I thought we still were spending slightly less that the EU average on our health service - which was starved of money for a very long time while other countries were pouring money into theirs.
I'm not saying that what is being spent is being spent well of course...

That is true but to listen to Bertie talking you would think that we had the highest spend in Europe and that was not being poured in the De Toilette

Thomond Pk

Thomond Pk wrote:

If that was said about someone in similar circumstances at a FG Ard Fheis they would have expelled and not loudly applauded.

I think the FG conventions are more remembered for Twink sketches tbh...

sceptre

Deleted User wrote:

I think the FG conventions are more remembered for Twink sketches tbh...

Perhaps but I would still expect better from any party convention than to applaud such a motion about a gangster like Haughey that the FF delegates managed to do. Why would they do that then?

Thomond Pk

Deleted User wrote:

I think the FG conventions are more remembered for Twink sketches tbh...

Who needs Twink when you can the real life Rambo?

Hats off to FF they don't just have visiting RTE celebs they have Haollywood A-List celebs sitting on their frontbench for long periods.

Also FF have a monopoly on groupies such as Jackie Healy Rae any chance of some consultants being sent to Upper Mount St to teach FG a few tricks?

Thomond Pk

Thomond Pk wrote:

Also FF have a monopoly on groupies such as Jackie Healy Rae any chance of some consultants being sent to Upper Mount St to teach FG a few tricks?

What about Independant Fine Gael's poster boy, Michael Lowry?

Thomond Pk

Deleted User wrote:

What about Independant Fine Gael's poster boy, Michael Lowry?

Lowry was dumped straight out of FG the second the first indication of wrong doing emerged. Ulike Haughey whose 'flawed pedigree' was known for a decade before he was eliminated by tapper Doherty. Unlike Rambo whose Dail performance would get him a starring role alongside Twink in the panto. Unlike Bev of Beverly Hills Castlebar who was re-admited; Denis Ansbacher Foley;

I know this is the wrong thread but if you wan't to know the difference between FG and FF take Michael Collins

Michael Collins FG a patriot a figure known the World over a visionary

Michael Collins FF a tax cheat

fairly clear cut I'd say

Also Lowry doesn't use the term Independent FG on his posters.

My Danny Healy Rae poster proudly displays 'your independent FF canidate'

Thomond Pk

Thomond Pk wrote:

Michael Collins FG

Huh? Wha'?

Michael Collins, died 1922.

Fine Gael, founded 1933.

Now, unless they wheeled the bones in...

If we get into the world of fiction, can I claim that Muhammed Ali and Gandhi were amongst FF's better known supporters?

Thomond Pk

Deleted User wrote:

Huh? Wha'?

Michael Collins, died 1922.

Fine Gael, founded 1933.

Now, unless they wheeled the bones in...

If we get into the world of fiction, can I claim that Muhammed Ali and Gandhi were amongst FF's better known supporters?

Seeing as the Civil War ended in 1923 it appears all political commentary and history has been an equal fiction.

Do the Soldiers of Destiny not do history these days?

Thomond Pk

Thomond Pk wrote:

Seeing as the Civil War ended in 1923 it appears all political commentary and history has been an equal fiction.

Hold on there, you implied that Michael Collins was a member of Fine Gael, and you develooped some analogy with Collins in FF on that basis.

I pointed out, not as a matter of opinion but as a matter of fact, that such a contention is historically inaccurate - it being impossible to join a party 11 years after death. Although I do remeber an episode of the Simpson's where the electoral list was compiled from gravestones...

sceptre

You lot. Stop. Now.

The same thing appears to be germinating in this thread so I'd like you to keep your childish stupidity in check there too. Am I being mean? No.

A few of you have had warnings for this kind of thing before, where that's the case you won't be getting another one at any point. I don't have time to be lifting you in and out of your playpen. I'll just toss you out and close the door.

Thomond Pk

Conor you well know that Clan Na Gael and Fine Gael are the same enitity whilst FF and the Shinners were bedfellows long after independence. For you to play games with this is not conducive to discussion forums.

The point being made was that FF have had multiple tax offenders over recent years and that when most people think of particular FF administrations the first two expressions the spring to mind are 'tribunal' and 'backhander'

Thomond Pk

sceptre wrote:

You lot. Stop. Now.

The same thing appears to be germinating in this thread so I'd like you to keep your childish stupidity in check there too. Am I being mean? No.

A few of you have had warnings for this kind of thing before, where that's the case you won't be getting another one at any point. I don't have time to be lifting you in and out of your playpen. I'll just toss you out and close the door.

Can you not just delete the thread?

Any thread predicated on a belief that there is no alternative peppered with myths and factual inaccuracies serves little purpose.

sceptre

Thomond Pk wrote:

Can you not just delete the thread?

I can delete threads, I can delete posts, I can delete users. In this case I'm not going to do any of the three. If you've got a relevant, on-topic post that doesn't make me want to do any of the three, feel free to make it. In the absence of an operational helpdesk, complaints about this decision or any others may be made on the Feedback board. Posts about the topic may be made here.

Fair enough sceptre. Though I should point out that, in fairness to Thomond Pk, throughout our sniping he has been civil and respectful and has never gotten personal or insulting, or never strayed from the principle of attacking the post and not the poster.

But I guess we have wandered off topic, so to bring it back I should point out that it is hardly the function of FF, FG or Labour to provide an alternative anyway.

Beer is Life

mike65 wrote:

I'm reasonably rightwing on economics which is why I welcome every immigrant we can get!

Out of pure curiosity, can i ask you why you feel this way?

Cork

The reason there is no alternative is that FG and Labour have yet to make up their minds on taxation and common policies.

They won't be much change in policy - what ever government is elected.

People won't tolerate additional personal taxation.