Actually, I think Enda won this time (taking into account more than the debate but the reality surrounding it) but God knows which way I'll vote if I actually remember to vote on the day.
I thought Enda kept his cool and I didnt see how Enda lacked any confidence which is what one (biased? prove it?) commentator said after the show. I was impressed by how calm Enda appeared compared to the scaremongering from his opposition.
I liked how Enda said if it didnt work he would step down and I am so deeply disappointed with the allegations of sleaze surrounding Bertie lately which Enda didnt even mention (unlike McDowell in a previous debate for whom no holds are barred).
The experience issue doesnt really matter in my opinion as my view has been Berties' government is run by highly paid advisors anyway like the upper echelons of the civil service who conduct feasibility studies on committees to investigate every decision alongside special advisors like Martin Mansergh etc. And when Bertie also had his first run as Taoiseach it was with not that much experience either. And in any case many skills in life are transferable elsewhere. Intelligence will gravitate towards whichever party is in power. My only worry is if the left leaning philosophys which are anti business got into power which I doubt would happen anyway as on balance any coalition would gravitate towards the centre.
Giving unlimited non means tested medical cards to millionaire pensioners is a looney communist idea anyway. Why should Charlie Haughey for example get a medical card ? Why not abolish the VHI and have a system similar to Canada?
I still dont know who to vote for and maybe after all this I will forget to vote like I did last time but for some reason this election has caused me to reflect upon these issues which I observed in my daily life...
Not being trained in economics or having really paid academic attention to politicians or what they have to say I find it difficult to consider the differences between parties as comprehensively as I would like apart from some common sense ways and would love to see an independent dispassionate view of party differences without emotionalism, personality politics or scare mongering but I do think the economy comes first above all else.
I want the Multinationals to continue to invest and gravitate towards here and I would like to see a positive climate for home made Irish businesses and enterprise. I also want an end to appointments of friends of those in government without a proper independent tendering process and an end to corporate donations. I cant enter a competition to win a prize if I am an employee of a company or have connections to the company which offers the prize for example so why should government be different ?
I think all corporate donations should be donated to the strengthening of democracy and not to the strengthening of any one party or individual and as such pooled into a central fund. This idea needs a bit of further thought but a cap on each individuals spending and the amount of posters and flyers would ensure a level playing field. ( I have about ten of the same flyer from a local politician in my letterbox) And a low interest loan or grant could be given to any private citizen who wishes to compete in an election.
I did also note Bertie said when challenged about houses and communities without services or schools that they didnt expect so many immigrants to come. Yes he did because he let them in. Dont get this comment wrong, Im pro immigration (when the immigrants have something to contribute and are law abiding) and Pro European but he cant deny responsibility for this lack of joined up thinking. I did however like his remark that he cant ignore the people which is why projects get delayed.
Immigration is an issue for me in so far as the government can legislate concerning it because theres no point having more than the economy can provide for and personally I would like to see all immigrants non ghettoised (riots in france?), integrated into our society and given a test of understanding of Irish history and culture, given english lessons, made to swear an oath of loyalty to the state, given a health check and background checked for serious crime. And then of course welcomed with open arms once they pass a test of conformity with a culture of tolerance, freedom and democracy. Overall Im happy with how it is going so far but any problems which are allowed take root will be long lasting and not easily solved [again look to France(riots) and Holland (democracy attacked)]. We can learn the lessons from the mistakes other countries have made.
I'm deeply disappointed with inflation, house/apartment prices supported by grants to investors in the wrong areas where demand would have sustained development anyway (Temple bar would have been built anyway due to demand in my opinion), workers having to commute hours to work daily with no services like schools for their kids. These commuters could be productive for society in so many other ways. They could work in their communities, on their health and fitness, spend more time with their children or develop new skills and network better if they didnt have to sit in a car for 2 hours a day.
I'm happy with the progress in the North but the North happened because the people who live there made it for themselves with some help from Albert Reynolds and the Downing Street declaration. The North is bigger than any one party or individual and the peace process started before Bertie got into the Taoiseachs office. It was a cross party effort from everyone except the backward looking people in certain sections.
Im unhappy with the ATM and plastic money card taxes which are evil and fundamentally unfair in my opinion. I'm unhappy with VRT. Its easy not to worry about VRT when you're driving around in a government merc or jet. I d like to see more bottle banks everywhere and Im disappointed that our country has washed our hands of the abortion issue by exporting our problems instead of dealing with the health and well being of our citizens at home.
I'm unhappy with the amount of beggars on the streets which destroys my enjoyment of public spaces and amenities. OK begging is another form of private enterprise but they should be given alternatives to begging and if they dont accept those alternatives they should be dealt with by the law.
I worked my way across the width of the United States a few years ago as a student ( temporary immigrant) and I would have rather died of starvation than begged off anyone and broken any of their laws.
If people must have the freedom to solicit others for money on the streets,I am particularly disturbed whenever I see children begging while their parents or guardians are up the road watching them. This happens around Grafton Street all the time. Children caught begging should be put into care and their parents fined and or jailed for more than 3 offences. Someone bringing out a baby or a small child for begging purposes is in my view the corruption of a minor. If the children living in this country are important then the government should act on this.
But at the end of it all, isnt it all about the economy? Without a good economy we cant change our lives for the better in any meaningful way and which party is anti the economy? Whoever we choose will make mistakes and also make some correct decisions. they are all human.
I think I'll stop here.
ps I think our licensing laws should be reformed. No business person should be given a monopoly by the state. They should do to publicans exactly what was done to taxi drivers and restaurants should be able to serve alcohol more freely.