Wrong wrong wrong. An election is exactly what the nation needs right now. We need to put in place a government who will be there for the next 5 years with a mandate to from the people to fix the problems. A new government would give an enormous boost to the confidence of the nation - people will be a lot more willing to knuckle down and make sacrifices for a government that they support and have confidence in than one that is unpopular and in paralysis. I can see a huge surge of confidence and energy following a general election. And I bet we'll see an increase in foreign investment following a election - investors are currently afraid to touch Ireland as there is so much uncertainty over the government and whether or not it has the support of the people. They will not invest until they get stability.
You think investors are afraid to touch Ireland because of our government or the instability of their tenure? ? If anything foreign investors have more confidence in our existing government then we would all like to believe.
You speak of Stability, yet dont factor in that a general election midway through a 5 year term does not exactly inspire confidence nor does it suggest a stable economy . . What if we elect a complete lame duck of a government and end up with another election in 2 years ? You assume a new rainbow government will only bring positives (dont worry, I address this assumption at the bottom of the thread)..
We really and truly could be in the exact same position as Greece right now. Whether you agree or disagree with FF, they have managed to take us from the brink of collapse, to at least being remotely credible and arguably the best of the PIIGS. .
You obviously dont understand international sentiment, particularly when the actions our government have taken over the last year to get our books in order have been highly received (and shown up the likes of UK who have procrastinated over making required cuts).
I cant believe people think voting in FG/Labour will definitely be a change for the better . . We are in a completely differant environment to the one that existed 3+ years ago . . So far, in terms of how FF have managed the crisis, I believe it could of been far far worse . . Labour wouldnt even try to push public service reform (so we would be left with a bloated expensive public service) and FG would simply procrastinate over what to do, while constantly reminding us it was FF who got us in this mess.
And no , Im not a FF supporter, although I would sooner vote for them based on their achievements over the last year, then FG/Labour who we all know will simply walk into the Dail with populist agenda's that may not necessarily be for the greater good of the country.. Right now, we need FF, as they are making tougher, more important decisions to rectify our countries problems then a "populist" government would do.
Never ceases to amaze me how people can be so narrow minded in discussing politics . . Criticism where its due and credit where its due . . The opposition deserve criticism with how poorly they have been over the last few years. . Hell, they were so poor they couldnt even get in the last elections . . I dont see how ANYBODY could confidently say that they believe an alternative government will be better for the country.
I know people who think an "anything but FF" approach to voting is acceptable. . Its disgusting , ignorant and basically shows most people have learned nothing since they blindly voted in successive FF governments . . If anything, we deserved EVERYTHING that has happened to us over the last 2 years, if we believe voting for ABFF (anybody but Fianna Fail) is a way forward for our country . .
I cant begin to try to express my disgust at this close minded approach to politics. Its the culture of politics we need to change, not necessarily the party . .We need to vote for a better politician . . We have to vote for accountability. We have to vote for morals . . We have to demand these things and whether or not its FF or FG or Labour we will have a better government . .
"Ah , but FG/Labour will represent change to the culture of the dail" . .
Really ..................................
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1010/politics.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6991207.ece
Sounds more like more of the same to me . . . . Assumption is the mother of all feck ups . .
