So, the sophisticated Irish Electorate (SIE), in it's wisdom, voted No, again!
Although the Seanad is a dysfunctional waste of money that adds nothing to the democratic process, the SIE voted to retain it. Although, it’s a retirement home/consolation prize for failed politicians, a crèche for aspiring politicians and/or chamber for rewarding political loyalty to the ruling party, the SIE still wants it, but why??
Enda hiding didn't help the optic of the Yes side, but it’s a side issue not relevant to the substantive issue as to the democratic validity of the Seanad. Like most referendums, so many unrelated issues get thrown into the mix, and the actual thing we’re voting on gets lost in the fog.
It’s the oppositions/president/judiciary’s job to keep the Dail honest, not some well paid talking shop for fat cat political cronies/elite of society. Also, the SIE can vote out the current government at the next election, if they feel like it.
There have been 12 different Seanad reform proposals since the formation of the Seanad and none have been implemented. The No side agree on reform, but when asked what this means, they either have no answer, or a multitude of different views which suggest the chances of any meaningful reform taking place is miniscule, and the status quo will continue. If you give the seanad the power to veto dail bills, you have a bunch of unelected academics etc dictating to the elected dail (hence us) as to the laws of the land. If you directly elect the Seanad, you end up with a competing house to the Dail which will impede legislate progress and slow down the whole political system by turning it into a battle ground between the two houses – just look at what’s happening in the US – stalemate.
The SIE are angry, which means that a lot of them want to give the government a bloody nose at all costs, but that could mean their opinion on any referendum issue is jaundiced from the start. If there was a referendum to "feed hungry babies" in the morning, a cohort of the SIE would vote No, just because they are angry with the Government over some totally unrelated matter. This irrational voting pattern, borne out of anger, is damaging the political process and makes every referendum a battle ground between what is right, and anti government sentiment.
Michael Lowry, Mick Wallace, The Healy Rea and Flynn dynasties are all a product of the SIE, no wonder FF are riding high in the opinion polls again!!
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
"It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried."
Although the Seanad is a dysfunctional waste of money that adds nothing to the democratic process, the SIE voted to retain it. Although, it’s a retirement home/consolation prize for failed politicians, a crèche for aspiring politicians and/or chamber for rewarding political loyalty to the ruling party, the SIE still wants it, but why??
Enda hiding didn't help the optic of the Yes side, but it’s a side issue not relevant to the substantive issue as to the democratic validity of the Seanad. Like most referendums, so many unrelated issues get thrown into the mix, and the actual thing we’re voting on gets lost in the fog.
It’s the oppositions/president/judiciary’s job to keep the Dail honest, not some well paid talking shop for fat cat political cronies/elite of society. Also, the SIE can vote out the current government at the next election, if they feel like it.
There have been 12 different Seanad reform proposals since the formation of the Seanad and none have been implemented. The No side agree on reform, but when asked what this means, they either have no answer, or a multitude of different views which suggest the chances of any meaningful reform taking place is miniscule, and the status quo will continue. If you give the seanad the power to veto dail bills, you have a bunch of unelected academics etc dictating to the elected dail (hence us) as to the laws of the land. If you directly elect the Seanad, you end up with a competing house to the Dail which will impede legislate progress and slow down the whole political system by turning it into a battle ground between the two houses – just look at what’s happening in the US – stalemate.
The SIE are angry, which means that a lot of them want to give the government a bloody nose at all costs, but that could mean their opinion on any referendum issue is jaundiced from the start. If there was a referendum to "feed hungry babies" in the morning, a cohort of the SIE would vote No, just because they are angry with the Government over some totally unrelated matter. This irrational voting pattern, borne out of anger, is damaging the political process and makes every referendum a battle ground between what is right, and anti government sentiment.
Michael Lowry, Mick Wallace, The Healy Rea and Flynn dynasties are all a product of the SIE, no wonder FF are riding high in the opinion polls again!!
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
"It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried."