I agree giving emmigrants a vote on the presidency - the priority for me though would be giving the vote to the citizens in the 6 counties

Originally Posted by sauntersplash

I have pride in myself, my girlfriend, my family, my friends. I have pride in my work, my academic achievements and the home that I have made my own.

Who said anything about a sh*thole?

Are you suggesting that under certain social conditions Ireland is capable of becoming a sh*thole? Doesn't sound like love to me.

I think my view is influenced by what seems a fairly insular opinion.

Tried and failed back in the 90s and even more unlikly to get any traction now.

Originally Posted by sauntersplash

If money and personal success are your priority, in recessionary times, you leave. That's ok with me.

If family and country are your priority, you stay, that's ok with me too.

If you love Ireland, if you love the political system, the people in general, your friends and family in particular. If you love the weather, pubs, sports, countryside, you stay. You spend your time here, pay your taxes here, contribute your labour here, raise your children here.

If you leave because you want more money, then call your kids Conor and Ciara, and cry when you get drunk you can feck off.

If enticing money back ionto the country is your aim, let's just say there are better ways.

we can see the effect today in ireland of the type of people that chose to stay , the made a mess , as they have always done , so save your bs about love of country , love of............... , most of the people forced to emigrate dont love ireland any less than you do they leave because they dont have a choice ,

Originally Posted by Collegebhoy

I agree giving emmigrants a vote on the presidency - the priority for me though would be giving the vote to the citizens in the 6 counties

It's interesting that this presidential election has brought that into the central discussion. I agree, and think it should be wrapped into the overall objective.

Originally Posted by hedzog

we can see the effect today in ireland of the type of people that chose to stay , the made a mess , as they have always done , so save your bs about love of country , love of............... , most of the people forced to emigrate dont love ireland any less than you do they leave because they dont have a choice ,

Of course they have a choice. Emigrants aren't limping onto coffin ships for goodness sake, they're skipping onto planes to Austrailia.

Another fantasy about the Irish rears it's head. JFK becomes president and all of a sudden the Irish diaspora becomes some sort of entrepeneurial and intellectual genius race.

I live here, don't gimme that crap.

Originally Posted by wee slabber

Should someone, some organised body, begin pushing to have the vote for a president given to emigrants? This could start with Irish emigrants, in all corners of the world, being asked to send an email to the Taoiseach's office at the same time and on the same day demanding the vote in the next election. All party leaders could be copied on the same email. It will give the emigrants a sense of empowerment, and make send a strong message. Any thoughts on this?

Yes, there's far more emigrants than there are people who actually live here and pay the fecking huge unwarranted wages of said stupid mascot.

What makes you think we should let people who lacked the patriotism to stay and slug it out with the regime have such a privilege?

Originally Posted by Collegebhoy

I agree giving emmigrants a vote on the presidency - the priority for me though would be giving the vote to the citizens in the 6 counties

They are technicaly Irish citizens abroad so yeah, though as I've stated I don't think the presidency is that important.

Originally Posted by sauntersplash

If money and personal success are your priority, in recessionary times, you leave. That's ok with me.

If family and country are your priority, you stay, that's ok with me too.

If you love Ireland, if you love the political system, the people in general, your friends and family in particular. If you love the weather, pubs, sports, countryside, you stay. You spend your time here, pay your taxes here, contribute your labour here, raise your children here.

If you leave because you want more money, then call your kids Conor and Ciara, and cry when you get drunk you can feck off.

If enticing money back ionto the country is your aim, let's just say there are better ways.

dont think you realise we live in a capitalist society

whether you like it or not

and money pays for your kids to go to school and when you parents go to hospital

roads, social welfare, sport etc etc

now can you tell me where is that going to come from

nobody is saying more is their god, but you need some to keep a country going for your kids especially

Originally Posted by ocoonassa

Yes, there/s far more emigrants than there are people who actually live here and pay the fecking huge unwarranted wages of said stupid mascot.

What makes you think we should let people who lacked the patriotism to stay and slug it out with the regime have such a privilege?

Patriotism? get off your high horse. Putting food on the table and providing a future for your kids trumps your faux patriotism anyday. You are effectively calling emigrants traitors. How many of those in the 1916 rising had headed off to Britian or elsewhere at one time or another.