I want me a free market party in the Midwest

[MichaelR]

I want to join a party that will be bold enough as a pro-market force.

This means that its *Midwest*, not Dublin, people will come out in defence of market freedom in the Aer Lingus case. And point to the obvious fact that the free market, not airplane service, is the main cause of current prosperity. If AL goes and there is market demand for Shannon-Heathrow flights (or flights to any big hub), someone will fill the gap, especially as Shannon will probably be willing to provide good terms. But if the Shannnon region is seen as forcing its will on the market, business will flee, and no amount of Heathrow flights will save the land!

Also, the reason this happened at all is that unions have too much power. If AL was allowed a good lockout as a response to excessive demands, it might not even want to pull out.

OK, I realize that part two may be too radical for Ireland - Jim Larkin and James Connolly being national heroes. But part one is essential, the current commotion reminds of Dev's micromanagement and stinks of possible disaster.

I hoped uintil today that this would be FG - now I read about that meeting. FF also does not fit the bill unless Willie O'Dea gets expelled from the party, which looks unlikely. The PDs - do they exist in the Midwest at all, and will they dare to speak out?

[tumeltyni]

The PDs do exist in the mid-west, but from what's been said on another thread they're less liberal there than in the rest of the country. I don't know how true that is though.

[Wolverine]

I'm having a barbecue party in Ennis this weekend, if it's any good to you. The food will be free, and bought at the local market.

Free
Market
Party

Perfect! Let me know when you need to be collected from Shannon...

[MichaelR]

Wolverine - brilliant!

[CookieMonster]

I'm having a barbecue party in Ennis this weekend, if it's any good to you. The food will be free, and bought at the local market.

Free
Market
Party

Perfect! Let me know when you need to be collected from Shannon...

If he knows what's good for him he'll go, but only to give you a slap.

[MichaelR]

The PDs do exist in the mid-west, but from what's been said on another thread they're less liberal there than in the rest of the country. I don't know how true that is though.

I did read this but it was about Galway.

Well then, I wonder if the Galway PDs (Grealish is their man right?) have said anything. And if they did, whether it had to do with the free market rather than a preference for Knock over Shannon.

[Akrasia]

I'm having a barbecue party in Ennis this weekend, if it's any good to you. The food will be free, and bought at the local market.

Free
Market
Party

Perfect! Let me know when you need to be collected from Shannon...

Can I come?

[qtman]

I don't think the concept of political idealogy has found its way to the west yet.

[MichaelR]

I don't think the concept of political idealogy has found its way to the west yet.

And Desmond was just bluffing in 1985?

[geraghd]

I want to join a party that will be bold enough as a pro-market force.

This means that its *Midwest*, not Dublin, people will come out in defence of market freedom in the Aer Lingus case. And point to the obvious fact that the free market, not airplane service, is the main cause of current prosperity. If AL goes and there is market demand for Shannon-Heathrow flights (or flights to any big hub), someone will fill the gap, especially as Shannon will probably be willing to provide good terms. But if the Shannnon region is seen as forcing its will on the market, business will flee, and no amount of Heathrow flights will save the land!

Also, the reason this happened at all is that unions have too much power. If AL was allowed a good lockout as a response to excessive demands, it might not even want to pull out.

OK, I realize that part two may be too radical for Ireland - Jim Larkin and James Connolly being national heroes. But part one is essential, the current commotion reminds of Dev's micromanagement and stinks of possible disaster.

I hoped uintil today that this would be FG - now I read about that meeting. FF also does not fit the bill unless Willie O'Dea gets expelled from the party, which looks unlikely. The PDs - do they exist in the Midwest at all, and will they dare to speak out?

Well in your case the official policy of FG will be telling. Unfortunately this kind of thing is mostly down to local constituency politics inherent in the political system. You can guarantee that a lot of people in FG and not just in Dublin are against this kind of thing.