FG need to focus on big picture

[Fr. Hank Tree]

As has been suggested on other threads, the medical card issue, whilst important, is probably a decoy and, whilst affecting the most vulnerable in society, only accounts for 100m euros.

Fine Gael need to start focussing on the big picture and the big message: that they are the only party that will stand up for the interest of the private citizen and the taxpayer. Fianna Fáil, in contrast, as evidenced by the easy terms of the bank bailout, the blatant builder bailout and complete failure to reform the public service - are the party of the vested interests.

Fianna Fáil inherited a lean, competitive, export led economy in 1997. They turned this into an economy based on consumption using cheap credit and on a speculative asset bubble. They used revenues generated from these activities to buy off public service rows and, ultimately, votes without quid pro quo reforms. They failed to address our infrastructural defiency as a country with the funds raised and secure our economic security with regards to energy or the indigineous manufacturing-and-export industry.

Fine Gael need to project themselves as the party of the national interest, and advocate:
-increasing public sector efficiency and productivity, needs to be done PROPERLY and not talked about
-house prices being allowed to bottom out so as to help restore competitveness
-Possibly follow the capital-for-equity programme for the big banks (let small ones go down), and at the very least higher premium for State guarantee of bank liabilities, more state clout on the boards of directos and
-scrap the levy, raise the tax rates and use the increases to invest in capital infrastructure projects like schools, public transport and alternative energy.

They have been saying some of these things, but they have not marketed them properly as central policy planks of general overall polical brand - Fg - National interest.

That's where the big votes are, the citizen who is happy to pay his taxes once he's satisfy they're being used properly to further the national interest.

My opinion. Your thoughts please?

[markeys]

Yup, good analysis. FG have been led up the garden path on the medical card issue by FF. True, it looks like its going to be badly implemented and leave some in the lurch, but FG should be looking at the elephant in the room.

[mccafferty cat]

As has been suggested on other threads, the medical card issue, whilst important, is probably a decoy and,

Why do people keep saying this? Why would the Government deliberately set up a strategy which was going to exert maximum political damage? No-one who claims it is a decoy has been able to answer this question.

If, somehow, the medical card issue was off the table tomorrow, I think it's likely that the Opposition will focus on each of the other cuts in turn. For example, the disastrous effect that the Budget will have on class sizes seems to be honing into the Opposition firing line already, with a discussion on Pat Kenny about it this morning

[MookieBaylock]

I don't think the medical card thing was a decoy - I think that it was just a silly mistake by a finance minister out of his depth egged on by officials who were against the measure when it was introduced.

This will run and run and there seems no way out for Fianna Fail now because even if they pull back this "reform" there is much more ammo there too. The Class sizes, Builders bail-out etc.

Most worringly for FF - their forecasts are probably too optimistic meaning we have another budget before next summer.

Watching Lenihan the othe day on TV was the equivalent of watching a man with a gun in his mouth just about to pull the trigger. It was suicide politics.

[SPN]

Fine Gael need to project themselves as the party of the national interest, and advocate:
-increasing public sector efficiency and productivity, needs to be done PROPERLY and not talked about

Labour will never allow that.

-house prices being allowed to bottom out so as to help restore competitveness

I can't imagine Enda telling people that are repaying €300k mortgages over 30 years that Fine Gael policy is to revalue their houses downwards by>50%

Don't get me wrong, I think it needs to be done, but no political party will ever take it to the hustings.

-Possibly follow the capital-for-equity programme for the big banks (let small ones go down), and at the very least higher premium for State guarantee of bank liabilities, more state clout on the boards of directos and

Capital for Equity in Banks that are going to fail is an utter waste of taxpayers money.

What we really need is a bunch of new Mutual Clearing Banks which would be capitalised by the State. The old Banks are bust. It is not possible to save them - even if we put the taxpayer in hock for Squillions.

Ctrl-Alt-Del

-scrap the levy, raise the tax rates and use the increases to invest in capital infrastructure projects like schools, public transport and alternative energy.

Great in theory, but you hit the law of diminishing returns PDQ. Raising tax rates when fewer people are working does not increase revenue.


But the key flaw in your concept is that Labour will not wear most of what needs to be done.

[Fr. Hank Tree]

Why do people keep saying this? Why would the Government deliberately set up a strategy which was going to exert maximum political damage? No-one who claims it is a decoy has been able to answer this question.

If, somehow, the medical card issue was off the table tomorrow, I think it's likely that the Opposition will focus on each of the other cuts in turn. For example, the disastrous effect that the Budget will have on class sizes seems to be honing into the Opposition firing line already, with a discussion on Pat Kenny about it this morning

Maybe it wasn't a deliberate decoy, but it's still distraction. This something which probably should not have introduced in the way it was in the first place. The only problem here is the way it's being taken away after people have come to rely on it.

Either way, with all that's coming down the tracks it will be well forgotten about in 4years time.

[goosebump]

Maybe someone in FG can answer this:

The Government borrowing requirement is 6.5% of GDP.

Richard Bruton said FG would have gone for 5.5% of GDP.

That leaves a hole of about €1.3bn in the public finances.

If FG are going to scrap the 1% levy, that probably another €300-400m gone.

Now where does the €1.6bn come from (and remember you've got 12 months, and Labour won't let you touch Public Sector payroll).

Answers on a postcard please.

[markeys]

Now where does the €1.6bn come from (and remember you've got 12 months, and Labour won't let you touch Public Sector payroll).

Answers on a postcard please.

What has labour got to do with FG policies? Thats like saying FF can't put something in their policy documents because the greens would object? Taking things a tad to far isn't it?

[goosebump]

What has labour got to do with FG policies? Thats like saying FF can't put something in their policy documents because the greens would object? Taking things a tad to far isn't it?

OK fine, leave Labour out of it (even though you can't be in Government with out them).

Give us €1.6bn in 12 months.

[Bobert]

OK fine, leave Labour out of it (even though you can't be in Government with out them).

Give us €1.6bn in 12 months.

Buy Lottery tickets.