Ireland's Poll Tax

If you were to ask the average English person if they would like to have Ireland back or indeed to have anything to do with that bit at the top I know what the answer would be. However the less said about that the better, I think I'm in the doghouse from last night as it is.

Bit like them people that walk 8 miles a day for water, Just move, Rent your house to the dhss so you get payed, Rent somewhere else. Too much emphasis go's on owning your house, Work out what it costs, What for , Germans dont buy, I know there a bit strange but all their money go's on holidays and enjoying themselves, We are programed to pay for that shower of shite the mp's

CaribeCelt wrote:The future in my opinion is bleak.
Although there is peace on the streets there is no peace between the two sides,the hatred is still as bad,if not worse.
We have segragated communities and schools and the stormont setup is a sectarian arrangement,where Nationalists control the west of the bann and Unionists the East.
All the above ingrediants will eventually explode into violence.
A united Ireland may be a long way off but it is something I strongly wish to see dermott.
A proper Republic that looks after its people and their welfare and not the interests of the Gombeen man,but I will not support the use of violence to achieve it.

We have a saying in Scotland..."It's an auld sang" or an old song. Sums the situation up really. I can't see how a solution that will appeal to both sides can be found.

CaribeCelt wrote:The future in my opinion is bleak.
Although there is peace on the streets there is no peace between the two sides,the hatred is still as bad,if not worse.
We have segragated communities and schools and the stormont setup is a sectarian arrangement,where Nationalists control the west of the bann and Unionists the East.
All the above ingrediants will eventually explode into violence.
A united Ireland may be a long way off but it is something I strongly wish to see dermott.
A proper Republic that looks after its people and their welfare and not the interests of the Gombeen man,but I will not support the use of violence to achieve it.

Well said that man,

Mcqueen wrote:

CaribeCelt wrote:The future in my opinion is bleak.
Although there is peace on the streets there is no peace between the two sides,the hatred is still as bad,if not worse.
We have segragated communities and schools and the stormont setup is a sectarian arrangement,where Nationalists control the west of the bann and Unionists the East.
All the above ingrediants will eventually explode into violence.
A united Ireland may be a long way off but it is something I strongly wish to see dermott.
A proper Republic that looks after its people and their welfare and not the interests of the Gombeen man,but I will not support the use of violence to achieve it.

Well said that man,

Hear Hear! My sentiments exactly!

Thats it then sorted at last,

Go back a bit, Reg said Germans spend all their money enjoying themselves...........bloody smile then.
Vince you are OK...water under bridge and you knew when to quit.

Dermo did you pay up and if not have you got any threatening letters yet.
I think 700,000 haven't paid up,is that right?
What way do you think things will pan out?
I see the water charge will start from 2013,the people are getting it very hard down there.

No CC, I didn't pay. I'm waiting for the first letter any day now. Tbh, I think the tax is here to stay. Once the government got more than 50% of the eligible households ( through bullying and threats), they then had the moral high ground on which they could send those of us who didn't pay on a guilt trip, by saying that we were benefiting from services that our neighbours paid for. Absolute bollox. If they give me credit for the 20 grand, I have already contributed, I'll quite happily pay a tax when that credit runs out.

The water charges are coming in 2014. We have water wastage here in the region of 45% i.e. through leaks etc. Now, fair enough, if I have leaking pipes/taps on my property, I fully expect to have to pay for them to be repaired but my taxes are already going towards the maintenance of the water network and is being wasted in my eyes. They even expect us to pay for the new meters AND the installation of the equipment. This comes on top of a household tax, exorbitant motor tax, dearest home heating oil in Europe, a VAT rate of 23% and a de facto tax rate of 52%. Something here is going to break. I'm not sure yet what the straw on the camels back will be, but I hope that we will be out on the street like the Greeks. Can you imagine such austerity measures being so nonchalantly accepted in France?? In the words of the song, "I predict a riot"( with any luck)

Great summary mate.
A boyo was on RTE last night saying the people will not have to pay for the meters and installation...big deal I hear you say.
Regarding the people taking to the streets,I cant see it...I made my way to Dublin for the protest against the IMF and hardly any turned up for something as important as signing your sovreignty away...I hope I'm wrong though.

Here is an article about the lack of attitude of the Irish people to protest,it is great read.
I believe the ordinary Joe believes he has no power to change things which is the reason very few protest....give it a read.
http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/column-why-arent-we-this-angry-an-irish-persons-view-of-the-spanish-protests/

"Big" Phil Hogan has said there will be a "standing charge", the same as all utility companies. This is expected to be 40 euro per year for 20 years, which will pay for the installation and maintenance of the equipment. It doesn't surprise me that there was a government gobshite on the telly saying something different. Yet again, we are getting a campaign of disinformation.

With regards to "people on the streets", I fear your right and I'm only hoping something will break. People, particularly in the East of the country, don't seem to get exercised about the erosion of income etc. Might have something to do with them benefiting most from the Celtic Tiger and having more fat stored up to fall back on. Here in Galway, we had 6000 people marching on the Labour Conference last weekend ( of which I was one though missed all the so called melee). Some of the ones nearer the front, broke through garda lines and surrounded the conference centre in the university. The Labour delegates were advised not to leave the building. My opinion??....about time! Its long overdue that the Labour party in particular started adhering to the policies of their founding fathers. Connolly must be spinning in his grave at the thought of Labour ministers aiding and abetting the plundering of the country and it's people.

Good article that. This one appeared in the Independent a few weeks ago

Here

Seen the protest at the Labour conference on the news...fair play to youse.
The Labour party in Ireland have never been revolutionary in anyway shape or form,mate...with a few honourable exceptions,of course.
A return to the politics of Lawlor,Connolly and Mellow's is the only way this madness will end.
Wishful thinking on my part,I suppose.

You're right about the Labour Movement not being revolutionary but you would still expect them to remain loyal in general to their founding principals. I think you said a while ago, Fine Gael are like the Conservatives in the UK. If that is the case, Eamon Gilmore is our Nick Clegg, both of whom, imo, sold out their core values to grab at power.

P.S. Anyone else who wants to join in, feel free!

Right I'm off for a while. There's work to be done!

Gilmoure,Rabitte and Co. have had more parties than Hugh Heffner.
They split a strong Workers party to take this route.
A gang of oppurtunistic charlatans.
Rant over