None of these are expert opinions, just spin produced by PR gurus and high-level civil servants to protect their political masters from short-term public anger/embarrassment.
You are not answerable to owners and customers who have a choice to stop funding you.
Perhaps you haven't heard about our democratic system here with periodic elections.
Like I said, it is called democracy. Do you have an alternative?So you think it is OK for politicians to be allowed to go for 4 years making wild and wrong forecasts without immediate repercussions?
You are also assuming that your own views and opinions are more rational than voters as a whole, but that is a whole different issue.You are also assuming that voters make rational decisions, but that is a whole different issue.
Like I said, it is called democracy. Do you have an alternative?
Actually we don't, we live in a republic. In a pure democracy 51% of the public could decide to take everything from the other 49% and kick them out of the country. Don't get me wrong I am not opposed to democratic elections, but democracy is not some exceptionally perfect system, as it is often made out to be; it is deeply and inherently flawed, albeit not as flawed as other options.Like I said, it is called democracy. Do you have an alternative?
Not quite what my point was. My point is that the electorate as a whole makes decisions more based on how they believe they will most benefit, even if the policies that this vote results in have a negative effect on society as a whole.You are also assuming that your own views and opinions are more rational than voters as a whole, but that is a whole different issue.
I fully agree!There are countless variations in and degrees of democracy. I believe that the party whip system in the Oireachtas means that the Irish version of democracy is a perversion of the concept, in that an authoritarian Taoiseach can almost rule by decree - Bertie Ahern and CJ Haughey being two recent examples - and normally remain utterly unaccountable for their decisions.
There are countless variations in and degrees of democracy. I believe that the party whip system in the Oireachtas means that the Irish version of democracy is a perversion of the concept, in that an authoritarian Taoiseach can almost rule by decree - Bertie Ahern and CJ Haughey being two recent examples - and normally remain utterly unaccountable for their decisions.
You are over-simplifying. People vote for a whole raft of reasons - who they've met, who they like the look of, gender reasons, family history reasons, ethical reasons and for some people, economic reasons.Not quite what my point was. My point is that the electorate as a whole makes decisions more based on how they believe they will most benefit, even if the policies that this vote results in have a negative effect on society as a whole.
Poor people tend to vote for those that promise the most redistribution from rich to poor, wealthy people tend to do the opposite, irrespective of whether the actual policy does harm or good, and irrespective of what numerous other policies are introduced.
Now I 'm not saying that you vote in that way, or even that all people vote in that way, but it is certainly the way the vast majority of people vote.
I'm not sure that problems with Bertie and CJ are down to problems in the system. These were problems of greed, absence of ethics, and lots and lots of bad decisions.
I'm sure that the Vatican is full of senior officials who see 'very good practical reasons' for Papal Infallibility and who point out the regular battles and splits within the Anglican Church as their justification.The whip issue is more interesting. I can see very good practical reasons for having a whip. I know the Senators and Congressmen don't have a whip system in the US - does it work out any better over there?
I think it does, because individuals can stick to their principles and not fear being expelled from the party.The whip issue is more interesting. I can see very good practical reasons for having a whip. I know the Senators and Congressmen don't have a whip system in the US - does it work out any better over there?
Bottom line, people vote for whoever promises to provide them with the most beneficial policies. People look at suggested party policy and then choose from the available candidates.You are over-simplifying. People vote for a whole raft of reasons - who they've met, who they like the look of, gender reasons, family history reasons, ethical reasons and for some people, economic reasons.
How can they make you pay property tax by taking off your wages or Social welfare? who allowed the law through for a €3 toll to increase to €100s if not paid on time? Speeding offences cost you twice the fine and points if you dare to challenge them, plus you are not now stopped at the time of the offence, its practically automated at the expense of justice
All great ideas in my book.
One of the things that gets up my nose is estimates of x 1000's of jobs in this or that plan or industry, i.e green energy. They seem to pluck these figures out of the air.
Yes, if can afford to pay such charges.
I regard attachment orders etc, as theft. Money extorted and then misappropriated.
There are a large number of exclusions on the household charge, so anyone who can't afford to pay won't be paying, and won't be chased for not paying. If you can't afford to pay large toll-bridge penalties, then pay your bill on time, like the rest of us do. Simple solutions with no drama.
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