The Shinners are getting the protest vote, just like Labour last time, the Greens before that, Labour before that etc.
Those who can’t handle reality protest against it. That’s about 20% of the electorate.
The rest of us may not like reality but we accept it and try to change it within the bounds of what’s possible.
The worst thing the Shinners could do is get into power. They would then try to implement their anti-business policies (even more anti-business than Labour and the current government). The fallout would be a disaster for Ireland and for them.
Not so sure. Sinn Fein are the same as every political party. They say one thing in opposition and do another thing when in power. Compare their rethoric down South compared to what they have done in power up North. They have cut health spending, education and even welfare. They have defended water charges up North and despite giving out about the property tax down here, have done nothing to reduce the one in the North which is a lot higher.
It's like Labour and FG with the burn the bondholders or ban the upward rent reviews slogans while in opposition. Once they get their feet behind the ministerial desk and the senior civil servants have a word, they all go native in the end and nothing changes.
Now make Ming Flanagan and Mick Wallace leaders of the Country and we could have change!
The difference would be between realism and vendetta. In fairness to the current government I think they did at least try to spread the taxation/austerity pain. They weren't determinedly anti-business, there just wasn't much wiggle-room in being pro anything. The Shinners, the People Against Profit and all other sundry soapbox enthusiasts in that corral refuse to see that and think that a vote-winning strategy is to foster and stoke the ill-founded resentment of people who are struggling, against what the soapbox enthusiasts almost portray [FONT="][/FONT]as those with ill-gotten gains. It is a divisive, vindictive, short-term view which will, if implemented as policy, decimate the country again. It is more of the same sectarianism that SF have played up in the North to bolster their own support there.
This Labour/FG government has been very anti-business. They have increased CGT from 20% to 33% (a 65% increase) and CAT (including inheritance tax) by the same.
If they want jobs to be created then they shouldn't be taxing capital so excessively. They have also allowed rates to increase massively.
Then there's payroll taxes; they second most "progressive" in the OECD. The top 5% pay more than the bottom 40%. Hardly attractive for investment, be it domestic or foreign.
How are capital taxes such as CGT and CAT anti-business?
Part of the reason for raising these taxes was to limit the increases in income taxes which they have done.
They have brought stability to the economy which is probably the most important pro-business thing they could have done.
I agree that income taxes are too high, but I would be all in favour of increasing CAT and using the proceeds to reduce income tax. There was an excellent article in the FT about abolishing the allowance for CAT completely and making all gifts and inheritances subject to income tax at the person's marginal rate.
Why should earned income be taxed at 53% while a good part of unearned income is exempt and the balance taxed at only 33%?
I will wait until a General Election. People think so little of European and Local Elections that are willing to vote Sinn Fein in as a protest vote. Come General Election time, Sinn Fein will poll well until election day and then people will revert back to the main parties and independents as has happened previously. I admit that Sinn Fein are gaining in popularity as the older generation of SF politicians vanish but I don't see them getting into power anytime soon. Certianly not at the next election.
People with serious concerns about the direction of the economy, SF's official economic policies may be fantasy but Peirse Doherty comes across as the best informed alternative to the FG/EU line.
That's called democracy Purple. Calling people stupid for exercising their democratic right is a harsh.
I'd be more critical of all the people who didn't bother to vote.
At least turn up and spoil your vote.
Why?
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