if there was a general election in the south, who would you vote for?

[Gnevin]

Who do you trust to turn the economy around? Seriously though

The strangest things are happening. Most of what SF have been asking for for years is being demanded of the Government now from those who said SF were mad.

Things like?

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

therefore their "dumb"... Hmmmmmm... irony.

Irony indeed.

Grammar police?

[Tankie]

Well this poll is meaningless now that all the Nordies have showed up to vote SF.
There's not a chance in hell they'd get that percentage in the south - as if anyone would trust them to turn the economy around.

i'll second that, but they could do well as there are some very dumb people that are allowed to vote!

You pretentious git! 

Someone doesn't vote for your chosen party/parties, therefore their "dumb"... Hmmmmmm... irony.

No i said people can vote for who they want but if lisbon thought us anything it proved that there are allot of people who should not have the right to vote as they couldnt even be bothered to read what they were voting for!

[Zapatista]

Including Brian Cowen by his own account.

[Hardy]

It is undeniably debatable whether the vote of someone who hasn't bothered to acquaint himself with the issues but chooses to express an uninformed opinion at the ballot box anyway should carry as much weight as that of the informed voter.

Perhaps there should be an exam to qualify as a voter. At least cover the basics. A few multiple choice box ticks about the main policy positions of the parties, or something like that. Otherwise you get government by ignorance and misunderstanding.

[Donagh]

Otherwise you get government by ignorance and misunderstanding.

Yup, it's called democracy. Never solved anything IMO...

[Tankie]

Otherwise you get government by ignorance and misunderstanding.

Yup, it's called democracy. Never solved anything IMO...

but democracy also works on the assumption that people value their vote and feel proud of the fact they can vote.

[Zapatista]

It is undeniably debatable whether the vote of someone who hasn't bothered to acquaint himself with the issues but chooses to express an uninformed opinion at the ballot box anyway should carry as much weight as that of the informed voter.

Perhaps there should be an exam to qualify as a voter. At least cover the basics. A few multiple choice box ticks about the main policy positions of the parties, or something like that. Otherwise you get government by ignorance and misunderstanding.

Why stop there?

Why don't we put an election manifesto for each party together without sayig which party it is from and get the public to vote on manifesto number one, two, three etc. No advertisements, or public speaking. We know some people vote for people because they met them or their poster is the best or their catchy slogan made them laugh or he is a member of an established family etc. It often has litlle to do with policy. Anyone who hasn't read the manifestos probanly won't vote making Tankie happy and returning a Government from an informed electorate.

[magpie seanie]

It is undeniably debatable whether the vote of someone who hasn't bothered to acquaint himself with the issues but chooses to express an uninformed opinion at the ballot box anyway should carry as much weight as that of the informed voter.

Perhaps there should be an exam to qualify as a voter. At least cover the basics. A few multiple choice box ticks about the main policy positions of the parties, or something like that. Otherwise you get government by ignorance and misunderstanding.

I agree and have said it for years. Surely you should have a minimum level of knowledge before you get to vote. People call me a fascist for having this view. I don't understand why.

As for independents, I know what yo're saying seanie, but imo they're a large part of the problem this country has - the fact that they can hold govts to ransom  over some nonsense issue like a new lampost and public phone for Bellmullet is ridiculous - but again, we get what we vote for.

In theory every TD should be independent but the tightness of our party political system actually constricts democracy. The party political system in this country is clearly failing the people and serving those who shout the loudest.

I also think you overstate the case regarding govts being held to randsom over small local issues. In my opinion it doesn't happen nearly enough and is hugely overplayed on the rare occasions it does to help ensure no repeat.

[Zapatista]

In the last referendum it didn't work but the truth is that the bigger partys need the uninformed to get elected much of the time.

[muppet]

In the last referendum it didn't work but the truth is that the bigger partys need the uninformed to get elected much of the time.

This is true but the smaller parties need the protest vote.

[Zapatista]

In the last referendum it didn't work but the truth is that the bigger partys need the uninformed to get elected much of the time.

This is true but the smaller parties need the protest vote.

Protest votes are often well informed. It's the ones who vote for the guy who bought them a pint 2 weeks before the election that are the worry.

[muppet]

In the last referendum it didn't work but the truth is that the bigger partys need the uninformed to get elected much of the time.

This is true but the smaller parties need the protest vote.

Protest votes are often well informed. It's the ones who vote for the guy who bought them a pint 2 weeks before the election that are the worry.

Methinks He Doth Protest Vote Too Much.

[Zapatista]

It could be sooner than you think with the Greens Education Spokeperson saying it is possible.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1030/budgeteducation.html

Comments from a Green Party TD about a possible pull-out from Government have caused controversy.

The comments came in a communication by the party's education spokesman.

Last night the Opposition claimed the party was facing oblivion over its stance on education cuts.

AdvertisementThe official position of the Greens has been that they are in government for the long haul even if in the short term they are seeking changes in the education cuts.

But remarks in email correspondence from education spokesman Paul Gogarty, seen by RTÉ, go a little further.

Mr Gogarty tells a lobbyist against the cuts that the Greens may eventually have to pull out of Government on this or combined issues.

However, he says it is not going to happen until the party has exhausted all avenues.

An official spokesman for the Greens said last night the comments were totally consistent with the party's position.

Last night in the Dáil Brian Hayes of Fine Gael claimed the Greens' stance meant they were facing a political Stalingrad from which there was no return.

The Dáil debate on a Labour Party motion critical of the education cuts resumes later this morning.

[mylestheslasher]

It is undeniably debatable whether the vote of someone who hasn't bothered to acquaint himself with the issues but chooses to express an uninformed opinion at the ballot box anyway should carry as much weight as that of the informed voter.

Perhaps there should be an exam to qualify as a voter. At least cover the basics. A few multiple choice box ticks about the main policy positions of the parties, or something like that. Otherwise you get government by ignorance and misunderstanding.

I agree and have said it for years. Surely you should have a minimum level of knowledge before you get to vote. People call me a fascist for having this view. I don't understand why.

As for independents, I know what yo're saying seanie, but imo they're a large part of the problem this country has - the fact that they can hold govts to ransom  over some nonsense issue like a new lampost and public phone for Bellmullet is ridiculous - but again, we get what we vote for.

In theory every TD should be independent but the tightness of our party political system actually constricts democracy. The party political system in this country is clearly failing the people and serving those who shout the loudest.

I also think you overstate the case regarding govts being held to randsom over small local issues. In my opinion it doesn't happen nearly enough and is hugely overplayed on the rare occasions it does to help ensure no repeat.

Who determines when someone is well enough informed? Who provides the education that would allow someone to be well enough informed? I am not saying you are fascist but the idea that you have to pass some test or the other or prove you are educated to a certain level is wide open for political abuse. The amount of people out there canvasing that don't even know their own parties policies is ridiculous, I think the parties themselves could do with educating their members before the poor punter on the street get his/her vote taken away.

As for the green pulling out of government - not a hope. That would require balls of which they are sadly lacking.