George Lee: A Courageous Dissenter

[Lightning Rod]

Lee maintained yesterday that personal advancement was never his aim; rather he wanted to be given an opportunity to have real input into Fine Gael’s policies on dealing with the economic crisis.

His interpretation, and that of the party leadership’s, of what the party did to accommodate him during his short tenure as TD differ radically. Lee alleged that from his election, he was effectively cold-shouldered by the party leadership when it came to policy input.

He said he enjoyed no real relationship with Bruton, saying that they had no more than two or three conversations in all that time. He also said he had been made chair of the party’s business and economic forum without his consent.

Senior Fine Gaelers stonewalled GL out of petty power-hungry selfishness.
They tried to bury him in some bureaucrat's talk-shop, so he walked - kudos -

My conclusion is that Fine Gael comprise the lamest most ineffectual Opposition ever - an enfranchised doppelganger of their Fianna Fail brethren - two sides to the same democratically deficient coin.

[oceanclub]

It says a lot about the Irish that if the gombeen son of a previous TD had been elected to the seat and had spent the next 50 years sorting out pensions and writing letters about potholes, we would have thought this was fine. He probably would have ended up a respected Father of the House.

But a guy decides to get elected based on promises from his party that they will give him a leading role based on his field of expertise, finds he is sidelined, and resigns out of principle. Well, that's just not on.

P.

[sauntersplash]

in the build-up to the recession George called it,

In fairness, in "the build-up", every oulfella in the country warming a bar-stool "called it".

George Lee is Ireland's first trustworthy politician he should found his own political party and stand for election again - he will get the votes.

It's quite possible this is the card he intentionally played. There is a sizable (and lucretive) niche for anyone who can plausably present a persona of honesty in these desperate times.

[irishpancake]

Senior Fine Gaelers stonewalled GL out of petty power-hungry selfishness.
They tried to bury him in some bureaucrat's talk-shop, so he walked - kudos -

My conclusion is that Fine Gael comprise the lamest most ineffectual Opposition ever - an enfranchised doppelganger of their Fianna Fail brethren - two sides to the same democratically deficient coin.

rather he wanted to be given an opportunity to have real input into Fine Gael’s policies on dealing with the economic crisis.

But seriously, he, Glee, would say that wouldn'e he?


So why did he not run for the Party which could deliver and place him directly into an influential role, being a Government front-bencher for FF would have answered all his so-called wishes.

It's not as if he had any particular difficulties with another catch-all centre party, either from an Economic, Intellectual or Philosophical point of view.

He must have, or should have, known that the Opposition is not where one can have an immediate impact.

It's not as if the main Government Party is coming down with Professional Economists, willing to enter Politics for the good of the Nation. A job could have been found for this man, if he really wanted to make an impact or really be given opportunities to influence Economic Policy as it is being made and executed.

Getting on the ticket for the by-election would not have been a problem, as there was never a more reluctant candidate than young Brennan.

I mean, just look at Dr. Alan Ahearne and the influence he is wielding as a Paid Advisor to Brian Lenihan.

But, I really feel the game was different, call me a conspiracy theorist if you like, but it certainly seems as if GLEE was infiltrated into FG for a purpose.

It's not as if this has never happened before in Ireland, Democratic Left/Labour, Militant/Labour Party, etc.

8 months on from a fantastic by-election win, he resigns in a blaze of publicity, names both Enda and Richard Bruton as his main difficulties in FG, and claims FG will not be in Government after the next GE.

Fortuitously, he also has a well-paid Public Service job to land back into, which we also pay for by way of License Fee.

This smells out loud.

[Gryire]

But seriously, he, Glee, would say that wouldn'e he?


So why did he not run for the Party which could deliver and place him directly into an influential role, being a Government front-bencher for FF would have answered all his so-called wishes.

How could any honest person work for the most corrupt part in the history of the state !

It's not as if he had any particular difficulties with another catch-all centre party, either from an Economic, Intellectual or Philosophical point of view.

He must have, or should have, known that the Opposition is not where one can have an immediate impact.

He was not looking for an immediat impact but a position that could influence the recovery of this country. Bruton and Varadker are totally useless.

It's not as if the main Government Party is coming down with Professional Economists, willing to enter Politics for the good of the Nation. A job could have been found for this man, if he really wanted to make an impact or really be given opportunities to influence Economic Policy as it is being made and executed.

FF are only interested in people of the party. Have to have FF blood. Competency is not a requirement.

Getting on the ticket for the by-election would not have been a problem, as there was never a more reluctant candidate than young Brennan.

I mean, just look at Dr. Alan Ahearne and the influence he is wielding as a Paid Advisor to Brian Lenihan.

Exactly paid adviser. Independance gone. would love to hear what he really thinks of the way the banks are being treated.

But, I really feel the game was different, call me a conspiracy theorist if you like, but it certainly seems as if GLEE was infiltrated into FG for a purpose.

It's not as if this has never happened before in Ireland, Democratic Left/Labour, Militant/Labour Party, etc.

8 months on from a fantastic by-election win, he resigns in a blaze of publicity, names both Enda and Richard Bruton as his main difficulties in FG, and claims FG will not be in Government after the next GE.

Fortuitously, he also has a well-paid Public Service job to land back into, which we also pay for by way of License Fee.

This smells out loud.

Big problem is that FG are a totally ineffective party that hope to get elected on the back of a vote against FF. They have no policy and a leader who is just trying to keep his front bench of inadequates happy so they will not oust him. If a general election was called tomorrow, there is a good chance FF would win.

[iartaoiseach]

You know, maybe it is time that constituency clinics be left to the hired-help - the civil servants in the relevant departments. Maybe it is time to demand of our TD's that THEY get out and meet US for a change. To explain themselves and their actions to us first-hand and to seek our inputs.

too right our TD's should be running the country not getting passports and medical cards for their constituents. that's why we have the government we have. parochialism all the way.

[Gryire]

too right our TD's should be running the country not getting passports and medical cards for their constituents. that's why we have the government we have. parochialism all the way.

Correct and right. Was at funeral recently and there was our mininster of state John Moloney acting as funeral director. FFS, get on with running the country and pay someone to put wreaths in the hearse.

[iartaoiseach]

Correct and right. Was at funeral recently and there was our mininster of state John Moloney acting as funeral director. FFS, get on with running the country and pay someone to put wreaths in the hearse.

well the present lot are probably more suited to that sort of carry on seeing as they've buried this country.

[Lightning Rod]

In fairness, in "the build-up", every oulfella in the country warming a bar-stool "called it"

Quoting McWilliams', Hobbs', or Lee's warnings is not the same as calling it.

It's quite possible this is the card he intentionally played.

Yes, it is unfortunate that GL has alienated Fine Gael by resigning: but it was a courageous move that has sparked their ire; understandably.

There is a sizable (and lucrative niche for anyone who can plausably present a persona of honesty in these desperate times.

+1
Lee's resignation from the Dail has crystallized his credibility. He still represents a plausible public persona: a man who has risked it all on one turn of pitch and toss - and lost - and is starting again at his beginnings.

Lee's actions place him at the opposite end of the moral index to crooks like Ahern et al. He appears diametrically disgusted with the system of mé féinist cronyism that cakes the encrusted benches of the Oireachtas.

[iartaoiseach]

Quoting McWilliams', Hobbs', or Lee's warnings is not the same as calling it.



Yes, it is unfortunate that GL has alienated Fine Gael by resigning: but it was a courageous move that has sparked their ire; understandably.



+1
Lee's resignation from the Dail has crystallized his credibility. He still represents a plausible public persona: a man who has risked it all on one turn of pitch and toss - and lost - and is starting again at his beginnings.

Lee's actions place him at the opposite end of the moral index to crooks like Ahern et al. He appears diametrically disgusted with the system of mé féinist cronyism that cakes the encrusted benches of the Oireachtas.

Maybe he'd have got more kudos if he hung on for the pension like the greens.