I did and it is so Good ,. Self explanatory . I will be voting No .

Just watched it. Fascinating. Amazing how such as rebellious nation we once were has now become such a bunch of yes men wanting approval from Headmaster Merkle. Time to demand an end to this madness before its too late. VOTE NO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAR0VRLRGHE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That video makes it very easy to understand. I’m starting to think that Jim Corr has been talking sense all along!
The Government could seriously do with taking a few lessons from David McWilliams ;-)

Dec: We once were a rebellious nation. We voted Fianna Fail the largest party for 80 years.

Where is Lucinda Creighton these days ? Dublin. On V Brown making a show of her self the other night …. A bit likethe pot calling the kettle black…..

Check the attendance rates, you’ll find he has one of the highest. You’ll also see he attended the plenary session this week and spoke in debates.

As opposed to the “Austerity, austerity, austerity, austerity, austerity” line again and again from the NO side. Its the equivalent of brainwashing you with a sledgehammer.

And have you heard anybody from the NO side explain how we fix our problems apart from Richard Boyd-Barrett’s statement that we would have to raise taxes by €10 billion. But don’t worry. Apparantly we can raise all that money from the rich!

Oh absolutely Jim, as I said, I was initially minded to vote YES, I deplored the “austerity treaty” trick, but that does not excuse the YES side’s attempt to dull the debate even more. I have now come around to a very firm NO view. We have been too compliant of this nonsense from day one, the current approach is not working because we are BACK in recession. We need a few years of recovery time before attempting such massive cuts as we are only reinforcing a depressionary circle. Im not advocating that we dont balance our budget, merely that we allow some time to let the economy grow and give it some breathing room rather than continually hacking the life out of it. This calvanistic crap of suffering and penitence might sound good, but its not working.

We fix our problems by dealing with the public spending deficit, and then renegotiating the bailout terms to deal with the unsustainable debt.

That’s how.

Not by borrowing even more money just so we can keep the gravy train running for Enda and co.

@jim walsh ….. apparently we can raise 10 billion easily http://www.eapn.ie/eapn/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/wealth-distribution-in-ireland.pdf #taxtherich

What do You want them to do ? They are in opposition and if you listen to what they say you might be pleasantly surprised at how much they can do , given the opportunity .

They are doing a crap job in opposition.

They’re doing a better job in opposition than FG or Labor ever did during the control of FF. It wasn’t until FF lost all control themselves that Enda and his mates began to make any impact as an opposition.

The Left, and various independents are doing themselves justice (whether their policies are realistic or not) by speaking up and against the ruling parties when it actually matters, rather than waiting until they lead us into an even deeper abyss.

Ask the people of Mulhuddart what Joe has done for them and they’ll answer: one hell of a lot. Doesn’t make the news though because, well you know, he’s not in FG :)

That’s right , Joe Higgins is an ordinary person , doing extraordinary work and in these ultra extraordinary times he is calm and cool , peaceful, and honest. These guys are for the people not large corporations and not ”corporate Ireland” . It is a pity more politicians can not be like Joe Higgins , we would not have Half so many problems .

Not a real fan of theirs but John, what have you done. Aren’t they out there getting stuck in. Campaigning etc. They are not in charge.

Your getting angry and crying in to your milk, is the kind of crap that i’m sick of.

jim the wealth is still out there #taxtherich http://www.eapn.ie/eapn/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/wealth-distribution-in-ireland.pdf

The no campaign a really trying to sweep that tiny little problem under the carpet.

If we vote yes there is no way we can ever renegotiate the banking debt, the EU are firmly against this (the IMF weren’t, as they seem to have an eye on sustainability of said debts).

If we vote yes we enshrine the deficit policies that are such a great idea that they’ve been completely ignored thus far (Germany and France were allowed circumvent), and dueto the requirements we are guaranteed to continue with the policies we face at present – they’re working so well, wouldn’t you agree? The most wealthy increasing their wealth while we pay more and earn less? If you have the opportunity to earn at all..

And then there’s the M in ESM. Immunities, secrecy, unaccountability, freedom to demand funds whenever they like and if you don’t pay up in 7 days you lose voting rights and face hefty fines.. Yes, loads of good reasons to enshrine this in our constitution as opposed to voting no and demanding renegotiation.. Mind you, I don’t think Enda would be up to the task of “demanding” anything in the EU.

UKIP: right wing nationalist racist nutters. European socialists: our fellow comrades and workers, normal people like myself. Great comparison Patrick :)

This vote is to be decided by Irish people. We really don’t need any Europeans coming over here telling us how to vote.

Yeh, they’re coming over here TELLING us how to vote. Exactly. Are you that much of a sheeple you can’t make your own mind up? What’s with the mild racism on threads like these? Shinners are some bunch, it’s all about the working people once they’re white, Irish and like Celtic eh ;)

And em …. what is Merkle when she is at home ? or the IMF, the EU? the Ecb? Need i go on ?

And that’s the nub of the point Susie. The NO side constantly moan about the Irish people being told what to do by European politicians. How is this any different (except for the fact that you agree with these people)?

Actually Jim, the no side is complaining about being blackmailed by eurpoean politicians in order to coerce a ‘yes’ vote, thats the difference. The politicians coming over won’t be holding a gun to our heads like the yes campaign.

Spin it whatever way you want “Too Trueleft”. The reality is that if a group of European politicians were invited over here by FG, Labour or FF to promote a YES vote, the NO would be screaming their heads off about interference from outside.

The europeans advocating the YES vote don’t need to come here Jim, they have their puppets, their enablers and their blackmail clause and threats. I’m sure they’ve other european nation to harass in the meantime….

I’m *not* a Shinner and where did you find *any* racism in what I said? The Irish are a mature enough nation ró decide their own minds. We don’t need people coming here to vote either way.

Big difference between europeans campaigning us legitimately for a no vote and blackmailing and threatening us to coerce a yes vote, o’reilly

They are creaming it like everyone else, the only difference with the lefties is they pray they will never get into power, its great shouting from the opposition not having to have any real plans and people more than willing to vote for them. Voting yes will stop politicians in the future buying votes.

….And your point ? They still only take home an average wage !

Point is they still cost the tax payer the same as any other politician unless your sinn fein, they cost more cause they supply ink to everyone that supports them.

THat just shows hopw much you know and or care. Voting no will not stop austerity in the short term , but will not have it written in to our constitution for ever and a day….. Read something other than your party propaganda….

How will it stop austerity at any time Susie? will voting no magically close the deficit?

Karl, can you link please to a left politician claiming that a no vote would end austerity? I don’t recall hearing that.

Watch this Karl and you will get your answer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAR0VRLRGHE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Also how is borrowing more and more and more year after year going to change things.. Something has to eventually give.

Eh just look at all the posters, Sinn Fein poster ‘Austerity is not working vote no’ thats what the left are fighting this on.. tell me how voting no will end austerity?

As Shayno said earlier. Google “punk economics part 1″ and then decide how to vote.
How is borrowing more and more and more year after year going to help us. A stop has to be put to it at some stage.

Voting no will not end austerity, nor will voting yes. However voting yes will enshrine austerity into our constitution in perpetuity with no ability to invest for growth. Why do you think Hollande wants to change it and even Germany have postponed ratification.

Karl, you stated: “What I would really love to know from the left politicians is how is voting no going to end austerity?”, implying that left wing politicians have stated the same. I don’t recall any left wing politicians claiming this. Do you have a quote from one of them?

Germany have postponed it until after the 23rd May cause they are expecting some kind of growth element to be put into it and are probably right Germany will still pass it..voting yes will not enshrine austerity, it will ensure governements can no longer buy votes and spend money on wages they dont have like benchmarking in Ireland, something likely to cost more than the bank gaurentee. governments can still borrow for infastructure projects.

Too True left.. then you tell me what your comrades mean when they say end austerity? are they speaking with forked tongue?

Still waiting for that quote from the left wing politician stating that a no vote would end austerity karl….

You got one?

Sill waiting from that quote from the left wing politician stating a no vote will and austerity…..

You got one Karl?

LOL that’s not why the Germans are delaying. They’re delaying putting it in front of the German parliament because:
A. Hollande is insisting on changes to include STIMULUS packages which will help create growth
B. it’s unclear whether it would even pass the German parliament anyway

Not because the Germans are insisting on growth.

Susie: Austerity will not be written into our Constitution if we vote yes. What will be written in is a perfectly sensible directive to not spend more than we earn, to live within our means.

10 billion inn tax increases from the leader of People before reality RBB, thats real austerity for you. so please tell me how voting no will change the budget deficit?

So you can’t give us that quote to back up your assertion Karl, No?

Difference between these lads and IMF/ECB thugs, these guys haven’t lent us €100 bn euro. If you can’t see the distinction you’re not too sharp. I’d herald a guess they won’t be threatening anyone either.

Thanks for the insult. Love the “if you don’t agree with me you’re stupid argument”. Really convincing.

I thought we were all europeans ???

Hmmm do the rules on the Fiscal Compact allow for referendums in the other European countries?

It’s funny to see people getting so annoyed about this. The Fiscal Compact is fast becoming irrelevant. I’ll be amazed if it still exists by the time we get to referendum date.

Pleas explain what you mean by Loony Lefties?

I voted FG in the last election …. Never again , NEVER. I will vote Socialist / ULA ….

Certainly:
Loony [loo-nee] adjective, loon•i•er, loon•i•est, noun, plural loon•ies. Informal .
adjective
1.lunatic; insane.
2.extremely or senselessly foolish.
noun
3.a lunatic.
Leftie
People who waffle on with no real policy because they know they’ll never be actually tasked with running the country

As opposed to the Centre and Right Wing parties who have done such a great job leading Ireland and the EU into this mess and are intent on making it worse.

Oh, & let’s not forget SF’s “misrepresenting” (understatement of the yr) certain economists in their own leaflet, which makes their recent whingeing over the Govt’s leaflet particularly funny.

It really is too much!

How is adams refusing to go on TV? He offered as the leader of the no side to debate the leader of the yes side. Says a lot when you have to tell blatant untruths about the guy paul.

Too True
you got there before me …. Adams has agreed to meet Kenny to debate the whole mess… But Kenny can’t be seen for dust ….

No typical Yes side lies, Adams has agreed to the debate it’s Enda Kenny who’s afraid to take part. Vincent Browne called his bluff by stepping aside to let Ursula Halligan chair it but he still hasn’t accepted.

He’s referring to Adams’ refusal to debate with Micheál Martin.

I think Paul is referring (again) to an apparent refusal to debate with some bloke called Michael Martin, the purported leader of a rump political movement known to the history books as Fine Failures or something like that?

Adams already knew that Enda doesn’t do Vincent Browne. Although Enda is being pathetic, Adams was just being purely cynical.

kennys being avoiding matt cooper for 18 months as well, guess inda ‘doesn’t do’ ANY commentators who ask him questions tougher than how many sugars he takes in his austeri-tea.

Micheal Martin asked Adams to debate FCT “openly & honestly” (http://jrnl.ie/441005) & Adams responded with glib insults (http://jrnl.ie/441671)

That’s what I was referring to & I think you knew that.

Both Joe and Paul take home the average industrial wage c. €32,000. The rest of their wages go to funding campaigns like the campaign against the fiscal compact, household charge campaign, local community schemes and to charities. They have both signed a pledge along with all other members of the ULA to do so, Joan Collins, Seamus Healy and Richard Boyd Barrett do similarly as ULA members also.

I agree with you Maura, the likes of Joe Higgins, RBB and Paul Murphy have never worked a day in their lifes, never once contributed anything to the Irish economy yet are always going on about the working man, what would they know about a days work? they live in some utopian world that has no basis in reality.

Martin they still accept the full amount from the tax payer. I am tired of hearing this from the left and Sinn Fein. What you do with your wages is of no interest to me, Throw it in the Liffey if you feel like it but do not come holier than thou with this living on the average industrial wage.

Maura. Do your research before you spout off.

She’s totally right though…

Can’t believe people still take this SF & ULA “average industrial wage” thing seriously still… I thought it was like the open joke amongst anyone who’s even remotely engaged.

They still draw the full salary & therefore cost the taxpayer (the exchequer) the same amount of money as any other TD/ MEP, giving the rest to their party.
To quote another TD challenging SF’s Pearse Doherty on this, after we was bragging about it on radio; “Your P60 & my P60, at the end of the yr, say the same thing. What you do with your salary is your business but don’t claim the moral highground when you cost the taxpayer the same amount I do!”
Their high horse has feet made of clay!

Paul Murphy and Joe Higgins are socialists kingstown, not communists.

Don’t feed the troll. He might tell you the difference between communism and Communism. Or might not even be aware of the distinction!

It has worked very well. Who do the USA owe trillions to ? ……..CHINA !

China was never communist, and yes, kingstown, communism has worked well in the very few cases it has been implemented.

I sure hope you do your homework on the matter, wikipedia’s a wonderful thing.

Also, the ULA is socialist.

Ah yes, the ‘tinkerbell’ argument. That you have to believe in them in order for them to exist. The left have solutions frankie. And considering the right has brought us to the abyss with their solutions of letting the bankers keep their profits from the good times and inflict their losses from the bad times on everyone else, maybe a different direction is long overdue, no?

I’d actually be gladly amazed if Frankie can explain to me in short what the ULA’s economic policies are. They have this useful thing called a website, you know.

Not much in the way of detailed economic policies on the ULA website, apart from the usual “tax the rich, not the poor”, “stop the cuts” etc. vague populist soundbites with no supporting figures.
As has been said above, its far easier to be in opposition and just be able to spout off than to have to actually provide and enact credible economic policies.