Planning ahead of next Government (what if Socialist in power)

Gerry Canning said:
Socialist Sinn Fein ?.
People seem to be a bit phobic on the word Socialist , I don,t think it was Socialism that got us into this mess but what did was a poor type of Capitalism.
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Our 2008/9 collapse is directly traceable to Bertie Ahern's espousal of socialism (meaning high public spending) in 2004.

After 7 years of pain, our current budget deficit is still €6bn p.a.
 
Deiseblue said:
I would have thought recent Governments were more socialist than capitalist !
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Hi Deise, I admire your honesty and I agree!!

To the OP - I'm actually, secretly hoping for a dramatic swing to the Left. You see I feel like it's time to hang up my boots. Even though I'm self-employed I think I'll go with that earlier retirement lark and settle for half my final salary too while I'm at it. Sure, the free health care will be great too like and sure won't they get rid of water charges and property taxes too? As I'll be a pensioner they won't come after me, but instead tax the rich, so we all win! We might have a new, ahem, "army" but sure how bad, like, cheap smokes for all and sure green diesel too, like! Sure, what's not to like, like?
 
The problem is that parties "campaign in poetry" but "govern in prose".
So as Mr Tprisas found out, you can promise anything in opposition but when you expect someone else to pay for it, that's when reality bites.
Listening to the odds and sods of the looney left, all our financial problems would be solved by taxing the "rich". In their case, the "rich" is anyone earning (and I stress earning) more than they are. Whilst I might have some sympathy for taxing the so called tax exiles (Denis O'Brien etc), even that is a bit clichéd , since in many cases their assets (and incomes) are located overseas (so easy to say but very hard to do).
There is a political risk that the next Govt may have to rely on a "collective" of independents (most of whom seemingly cannot agree what day of the week it is).
 
Conan said:
So as Mr Tprisas found out, you can promise anything in opposition but when you expect someone else to pay for it, that's when reality bites.
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You know, I think the absolute shambles that is Syriza, is possibly the best thing that could have happened to us in safe-guarding us from SF and the loonies.
 

Yes, but country destroyed in the process.....
 
Despite the complete and utter mess caused by Syrzia in Greece you will find not 1 Socialist in Ireland is prepared to admit that these type of policies are at best theoretical fantasies. the concept of true socialism is not achievable without a despotic Government such as North Korea who will enforce their policies on the populace. Even in "Socialist" countries like Russia/China they have moved significantly towards capitalism in order to achieve economic growth.
The vast majority of us are sympathetic towards those who are unable to earn a sustainable level of income. However, we need to have an incentive to work hard and to improve ourselves. Penal levels of taxation kicking in at a certain level are a disincentive to all and promote either tax evasion or exit from the State. The Democratic system is by no means perfect, but generally speaking it is both open and fair to all. I would welcome any debate from a Socialist who could point to a successful Socialist Economist System currently operating and point out how that system could operate in this country.
 
Re T Mc Gibneys comment.

Your comment socialism (meaning high public spending) ,is a bit glib , though I do have sympathy and somewhat agree with it.
On the other foot
Capitalism surely should have followed through when things blew up and hammered the Banks/bond-holders etc.
Instead did we not Socialize the debt?
So did Socialism save the day ?

Long live the brothers! Hmn !
 
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