Statement from United Left AllianceI suggest before you launch you have policies that can stand up to public scrutiny.
Heard Joe Higgins on the radio Thursday morning saying there would be no cuts atc but seemed totally devoid of any alternatives or plan.
Good at the rhetoric and one of the more lefty of the SF'ers (Adams is the opposite)I have no affiliation to any party but am very impressed with the way Pearse Doherty comes across.
I agree - and Joe Higgins (and other Socialist Party representatives) have been warning about the bubble and the threat to the economy for a decade - and is now clearly explaining why the austerity plan will be a disaster.We need people who are going to tell it as it is.
The Taoiseach is paid 228,000 per annum. A government minister is paid 191,000 per annum. A Supreme Court judge is paid 257,872 per annum. These sky-high wages and others should be abolished along with perks such as the ministerial car fleet. This should be done, not to set an example to encourage ordinary people to accept austerity, but to strike a blow at a viciously unequal capitalist society.A major plus for any canidate in the GE will be how they are going to cut costs from the top down.
2% wealth tax on all wealth over 1million = 2.6billionTheres no point in sayin you are going to get rid of the Merc & Perk but are not able to cost the saving
Based on the drubbing FF got yesterday in DSW, I'll revise my prediction for SNL and will welcome Declan taking the second seat after FG and ahead of FF.Once again I welcome the inclusion of Declan Bree in the ULA list.He is a first class public rep for ordinary people.He has a large support base in Sligo Town,and with the entire left according to opinion polls at over 30% in Sligo/NLeitrim,I believe he has an excellent chance of winning a seat.
Provided Bree learns the lessons of his previous stint thereBased on the drubbing FF got yesterday in DSW, I'll revise my prediction for SNL and will welcome Declan taking the second seat after FG and ahead of FF.
I had thought LP's O'Keefe would be a surprise but the spoofing by their leader will be found wanting in the next few weeks.
Can't see ULA doing that well outside of the Pale though, apart from SNL and Tipp maybe.
Declan Bree ( unshackled from LP whip unlike last time ) and Joe Higgins together in the Dail, I pity any gombeen FF deputy who dare cross them![]()
I remember Declan from his Connolly Youth Movement days (he set up the CYM in Sligo), always regarded him as a bit of a gobsh1t but he was honest and sincere and had genuine beliefs and principles to which he was and is totally committed. I could never understand him joining the Labour Party, I wish him well and hope that he takes the seat.Once again I welcome the inclusion of Declan Bree in the ULA list.He is a first class public rep for ordinary people.He has a large support base in Sligo Town,and with the entire left according to opinion polls at over 30% in Sligo/NLeitrim,I believe he has an excellent chance of winning a seat.
'
The are the simple extrapolation of the statement outlined in the two links above.When can I ask were these policies announced?
There is a hell of a lot more than 130billion - that is what is directly in private hands. The Dept of Energy estimates that gas deposits off the west coast are in the region of 420billion - yet they have handed them over to multinationals for nothing.Making waves - is there really 130 billion worth of wealth in this country? If you're saying a 2% wealth tax would net 2.6 billion and my maths is right, that would be the amount. Where does that figure come from and is it real wealth ie not funds that are nominally in Ireland for some tax scam?
PBP and others who made gains at SF's expense at the locals must be shuddering at the resurgence of SF.
From recollection I don't think there is a single constituency that the ULA is targetting where it will have any real impact except Cork North Central (and that was always an outside chance anyway).True it wont be very welcome for them. This has been great timing for SF with an imminent GE
From what I gather the Stoner Demographic tends not to vote in large amounts...something about being stoned all the time.There is over 1 million votes for this Alliance should they decriminalise the private use of marijuana - being the lefties they are. Ireland has never had a radical party like this.
Make it happen and watch ULA take over Dail Eireann.