FF are weak on the economy

[junketman]

Well as if we needed another FF inspired recession to confirm it, I am afraid this recession and the mismanagement of the economy and public purse over the last 10 years confirms once and for all that FF are useless on the economy.

They created the mess in 1977 that we just about came out of in the 90's and when they took over again in 1997, so began their mismanagement again.

I see similarities with the Republicans in the US. They were in power for the crash in 1929, for the stock market crashes of the late 80's and for the current economic crisis.

Both FF and US Republicans have that in common, they are both weak on the economy. Hopefully at the next election, the electorate will have common sense and see that FF are poor on economic matters.

[Big Bobo]

Well as if we needed another FF inspired recession to confirm it, I am afraid this recession and the mismanagement of the economy and public purse over the last 10 years confirms once and for all that FF are useless on the economy.

They created the mess in 1977 that we just about came out of in the 90's and when they took over again in 1997, so began their mismanagement again.

I see similarities with the Republicans in the US. They were in power for the crash in 1929, for the stock market crashes of the late 80's and for the current economic crisis.

Both FF and US Republicans have that in common, they are both weak on the economy. Hopefully at the next election, the electorate will have common sense and see that FF are poor on economic matters.

Depends what you mean by weak on the economy. They manipulate they economy quite well for their own political and financial gain. FF just like the Republicans are essentially pro-rich governments.

[Watcher1]

The title of this post would suggest they are strong on other things so you should change the title I think - FF Weak on Economy Also.

Face it, they are a weak government.

[mccafferty cat]

In 1977, the National Coalition had returned the economy to a pretty high level of growth (5%) but had borrowed heavily to get things back on track. The newly elected FF government failed to stem the borrowing, and instead continued to do so apace.

FF risk falling into the same trap now. They will probably double the national debt before the next general election, just to get the economy back on an even keel

[john scott]

Perhaps one of the difficulties for the government is that senior ministers have very little economic background. Brian Cowen is a solicitor (though of course he has the experience of being minister for finance), Mary Coughlan is a social scientist, Brian Lenehin is a barrister and Dermot Ahearn is a solicitor. I think Willie O'Dea is an accountant as well as being a barrister. But FF have no one of the calibre of Joan Burton or Richard Bruton with their expertise in the economic area. I appreticate that the government has the benefit of all the expertise in the Civil Service.

[Supermanpolitician]

Current government have expertise in wiggling your way out of a tiight spot, shaking hands and smiling at cameras. They didn't think they would need anything else.

[Barry]

Well as if we needed another FF inspired recession to confirm it, I am afraid this recession and the mismanagement of the economy and public purse over the last 10 years confirms once and for all that FF are useless on the economy.

They created the mess in 1977 that we just about came out of in the 90's and when they took over again in 1997, so began their mismanagement again.

I see similarities with the Republicans in the US. They were in power for the crash in 1929, for the stock market crashes of the late 80's and for the current economic crisis.

Both FF and US Republicans have that in common, they are both weak on the economy. Hopefully at the next election, the electorate will have common sense and see that FF are poor on economic matters.

And so what is the alternative?

Why do you assume that this alternative would have been, or will be, any better?

In essence, we live in a system where economic power is controlled by a ruling class and that pleasing its economic interests also happens to mean employment and 'prosperity' for the nation. This leaves very little room for maneouver for any government.

[junketman]

Perhaps one of the difficulties for the government is that senior ministers have very little economic background. Brian Cowen is a solicitor (though of course he has the experience of being minister for finance), Mary Coughlan is a social scientist, Brian Lenehin is a barrister and Dermot Ahearn is a solicitor. I think Willie O'Dea is an accountant as well as being a barrister. But FF have no one of the calibre of Joan Burton or Richard Bruton with their expertise in the economic area. I appreticate that the government has the benefit of all the expertise in the Civil Service.

Yup I agree, that's essentially the problem...I doubt any of those you mention ever looked at the cover of an economics book. FF policy seems to be to borrow and steal ideas from everyone else and pass them off as their own.

[junketman]

And so what is the alternative?

Why do you assume that this alternative would have been, or will be, any better?

In essence, we live in a system where economic power is controlled by a ruling class and that pleasing its economic interests also happens to mean employment and 'prosperity' for the nation. This leaves very little room for maneouver for any government.

It's fairly clear in my post that FF are weak on the economy compared to others. It's fairly self explanatory that any other party would have done better, wouldn't have wasted so much money in the good times or put all their eggs into one basket.

The alternative to the Republicans in the US are the Democrats. History shows us that the Democrats have managed the economy better and major recessions seem to coincide with a Republican president.

In this country major recessions seem to happen during or soon after FF are in government, and the economy usually turns around when the alternatives are in government.

[Big Bobo]

It's fairly clear in my post that FF are weak on the economy compared to others. It's fairly self explanatory that any other party would have done better, wouldn't have wasted so much money in the good times or put all their eggs into one basket.

The alternative to the Republicans in the US are the Democrats. History shows us that the Democrats have managed the economy better and major recessions seem to coincide with a Republican president.

In this country major recessions seem to happen during or soon after FF are in government, and the economy usually turns around when the alternatives are in government.

FG/labour, SF and greens offer no alternative economically