Stay with me for a minute!
The one party state is probably here to stay due to the lack of interest of more than half of the Irish people in how their country is run. Thus the only way to effect real change is from the inside of the organisation that the government comes from, i.e. FF.

There has been a lot of talk on this board over the last year about starting new political parties. This is a waste of time and either:
a) They will never get off the ground
b) They will build up enough grassroots over a few years to get a few seats. Then they will go into coalition with FF and game over, none of their supporters will ever vote for them again.

Labour and Sinn Fein are corrupt in their own ways and devoid of any real ideas bar snarking from the sidelines to play to their core supporters who don't live in this century.

Greens

FG is ideologically similar to FF and almost as corrupt when it comes to planning, nepotism and jobs for the boys. A vote for FG on the basis of trasnformation is delusional at best, it will be business as usual.

I thus contend that a vote for FG is a waste, let it die. Join FF and change it from the inside. A new form of democracy more fit for purpose. Everyone who is interested in politics gets a chance to vote in the ruling party.

Any thoughts?

Time is not on our side

On the contrary, this could be a long process. The more genuinely engaged people join the FFers, the better the result.

By the way, the new members don't actually have to vote for FF in public elections! Just thought I had better say that out front.

No posts from FFers yet, I must be onto something!

Genius! Even if we can't scupper them this time round we can do so next time!

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Doo-DAH! Doo-DAH! (Foghorn J. Leghorn)
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sinn fein would be a better option

As you have just insulted every political party (apart from a few minor ones) in the country, I think you had better steer clear of a future in the Diplomatic Corps!

What you propose is like saying lets kill off all political opposition (poor as it is, and I agree with you there), and ensure that Ireland turns into a one party state, i.e., a dictatorship, with the leader of Fianna Fáil as Der Fuhrer.

May I suggest that we all instead take an active interest in all political matters, choose which party appeals to us by reading each parties' political manifesto, and go out there, join them and make a difference.

And try to remember that Fianna Fáil have been in power for so long that they have their people in every influential position in this country. Their power is already frightening. And yet, even with this huge amount of power at their beck and call, they still manage to get caught with their hands in the cookie jar! They don't even make good "chancers". (must stop looking at FM's Archaic Phrases thread)

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The strongest memory is weaker than the palest ink. Chinese proverb.

Welcome back Laz

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How many banks do we own today?

A one-party democratic state is not a dictatorship if there is room for difference of opinion within the party, and that is what is being proposed.

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To live honestly, to hurt no one, to give every one his due.

the next thing you'll want is a monarchy.which gombeen do you suggest?