Now that the main event is over in America we have our own elections to worry about here in Ireland. Regardless of being on different continents it's the same issues that are goin to dominate the headlines for the next couple of weeks as multiple politicians try to sell us false promises in the faint hope of getting to government and all the benefits that come with it.
- Cost of living.
- Housing crises.
- Immigration.
- Lack of services.
- Government wasting our money.
- Climate change.
Same old, same old.
The only real question is what candidates are the most closely aligned to my world view and who do i think might try to work towards that. Unlike in America our president has very little real power and is more of a figure head position.
This is called a general election and is to elect our sitting politicians who make policy and govern the country under a majority system.
To be fair, while there are a lot of major flaws in our country right now it's economy is in a great place. Cost of living is high but for anybody who wants to earn money there is work everywhere. The biggest challenge for a lot of those people is trying to pay their bills from the lower end of the job market as rent and bills have gotten very high over the past five years.
Personally we are doing reasonably well in the current climate with childcare cost being reduced and taxes being reduced in the last budget. Cost of living is very high but if we are careful with our current income it's very manageable.
The biggest issue for me is that since the government is taking in huge amounts of tax revenue at the moment there is a lot of it being wasted with very little oversight. If they managed the money better there would be a lot less need for the huge taxes that we pay in this country and they could also put more money into the services that we need for our population.
This is where immigration is going to become a double issue for incoming politicians. There is no objection to women, children and families coming into the country through legal methods as they are here to try and find a better life, work hard and add to our culture and country. Where I am seeing the issues arising is large amounts of younger males coming into rural areas where there are no services to take care of them, housing, health, jobs, activities and no responsibility to look after working age men who come into the country illegally and try to claim asylum.
Between the war in Ukraine amongst others issues in the past couple of years we have seen all available accommodation being take up for migrants pushing people out of the cites and closing down hotels and other forms of tourist accommodation as there is more profit from housing the migrants through government s payments.
Our services are overflowing from the population growth we've seen and it's hard to get anybody in to do a job not to mind how expensive it has gotten since there is such a high demand on their time.
All of the top issues are really symptoms of the same sickness. The government needs to think outside the box and make tough choices to help create more housing and provide more services for the population. Whether that is really possible or not is a tough question but they would need to be unpopular in certain sectors to benefit the whole country.
I'm inclined to vote for the existing government more or less as despite the issues listed above, they have made some good calls as well. They have really focused on childcare that allows people to work and prop up our economy.
They have pushed a greener agenda which is needed to fight climate change.
They have focused on education which is a benefit for all of the country.
They have created a fund to future proof any possible crashes or economic blip that might come our way instead of spending everything they have to hand.
I think that looking towards the end of the month that we will have much of the same as our last government with Fine geal the biggest party. Fine fail the second biggest propping them up.
Sine fein, who are the right wing party here did very well the last time with a record number of seats will lose a lot of them after a poor showing since the last election combined with a few major controversies in recent weeks should really hurt their chances.
Combine that with a few smaller parties and a lot of independent nominees and that should complete the government with not much changed after a whole lot of fuss.
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I suppose we only have a national debt of 235 billion, one of the highest per capita in the world. Our hospitality sector is being murdered with a 13.5% tax rate, not to mention many of our hotels being full of migrants on the public purse instead of tourists spending much needed cash in our small towns. House prices are through the roof so while strangers flood in, our own can find nowhere to live and are forced to emigrate. We have the second highest electricity prices in Europe while the government stops us burning turf as well as banning chimneys on new builds. We're in the top 6 for the dearest petrol in Europe, and as you said yourself, services are non-existent and you can''t get a handyman for love nor money. Sure why wouldn't you vote for more of the same?:)
Because the alternative is a sine fein led government which would not be good for any of us when they drive away the american companies taxing them to the hilt for more free handouts to the people draining our system. They are not the people that we need in charge of the country as shown by how badly they are running their own party right now. We elected a sine fein candidate here last election as did a lot of areas and it's been a disaster.
Fine gael have not done badly in the current cycle. Waiting lists are down in hospitals, tax returns are at a high, children are looked after better than ever before. Services are being bulked up but it's a numbers game. Our population is growing faster than we can keep up.
A lot of the issues above are not unique to Ireland indeed the first world as people have migrated to the most rewarding countries in search of a better life. Having a stronger border policy and removing illegals would be a start but while we are hosting large numbers of dependents it is not going to change.
Our hospitality sector is murdering itself with crazy prices and gouging tourists. Anywhere that is reasonably priced down here is doing very well as people return. Most places that are struggling are charging crazy money for basic goods and services. 9% would be good with commitments to reflect that on the customers instead of just taking more profits.
I would love a real alternative to what we have with realistic policies that look after the working class of Ireland and have some common sense in policy making but none of them ring that bell for me at the moment.
it will be interesting to see if in ireland the right wind will blow away the left like in many european countries (i don't know what side is in charge now)
Left is in charge at the moment so it will be interesting to see if we follow the same trend as other places.
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Why no single mention of crypto in this whole election talk? Isn't it a big deal over there on the Emerald Isle? 🌚🌚
Nope. Not an issue in the country at all which is good to be fair. The longer they leave it alone the better.
Most of our politicians wouldn't even know where to start.
LOL. That is alright, then, as far as it is legal and not fought.
Still legal here and we will get legislation at some stage but nothing much happening yet.
All good 👌🏾
Illegal migrants is the big issue everywhere and someone needs to get to grips with t sooner rather than later or Ireland will be in such a mess. I hope it all works out.
Honestly i don't thin that much will change. Our biggest parties are all on the same page and the others are useless so more of the same i think.
Is any of the candidates talks about crypto/bitcoin adoption, regulations, or something like that? Glad that things are working well somehow on your end. In here, next year will be the upcoming US and Mayorial elections.
Nope.
It's not even on the cards right now. Europe are creating some legislation towards it and we'll just have to take what they offer for ours as well.
Until then we can keep playing away under the radar.