THE FOLLOWING are edited reactions online to yesterday’s Renewing The Republic article by Fiach Mac Conghail, in which he called for a change to our political culture.
Join the debate today by going to the Renewing The Republic microsite, or leave a comment on today’s article by Damien Rice.
Mamgay: Nobody can seriously argue that our politicians do not represent us. They are elected freely, and well-known to the electorate. If there were an election in the morning, most would be re-elected.
So, with very few exceptions, if you wish to know where the blame lies – for the lying, back-scratching, greedy, short-sighted, bent behaviour – look in the mirror.
Joseph Morgan: There is a big hole where there should be leadership in our country. They simply have no ideas and no mandate or public confidence. It's up to the citizens now. Will you put the TV remote down and get up off your rear to make change happen?
Gordon: I'm not sure our politicians have run out of ideas. They still have the same ideas as before – that only money matters. The only difference now is that they will destroy the country to keep the markets happy.
DesJay: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, Fiach. Particularly when looking at things American. Participation in local elections in America is pathetically low.
Aspiring politicians begin to cut their teeth on school boards and community boards.
They move on to city councils and state legislatures, and some go from that to the US Congressional primaries.
To get 5 per cent turnout in most of such elections would be spectacular. A small minority of activists decide the shape of national tickets . . . if you have time, check the deep and expansive ignorance of the American electorate. Most can’t name their senators; most can’t show Afghanistan on a map; most have not read their own constitution.
For God’s sake, do not take America as a model.
Paschal Donohoe: Visions that look for renewal of our country cannot ignore the prosaic but vital questions of the size of our public spending, the future of our banking industry and the organisation and ownership of our public services.
Commentators and politicians alike now have to accept that the raising of questions and the delivery of half answers does not constitute a service to the public.
Tony: The Government, banks, construction and church are in denial. Most of the media are still inside the tent in one-party state mode. What is needed is a clear-out of those at the top of our institutions whose lack of ethics has destroyed our futures. We need to start again.
Kieran Magennis: Interesting observations and ideas, but Fiach failed to indicate how even one of his proposals will get off the ground.
Let us take, for example, his “National Citizenship Forum”.
This is a good idea, but how and when will it actually come about? The establishment will never relinquish power voluntarily, so you must either seize it from them or convince them that it is in their own interests to cede it.
It would have been more constructive if you had declared, say, that you and some like-minded people had hired the Mansion House next Saturday for the express purpose of establishing a National Citizenship Forum; all welcome.
The meeting could have been used to outline your philosophy and objectives, with immediate priority being given to agreeing and defining the methods to be used to get the forum’s recommendations implemented.
Thomas Coyne PhD: Ireland surrendered sovereignty when it joined the euro – a disaster for Ireland; disaster for the Irish. No nation is sovereign if it gives up to other nations its right to control (1) its monetary policy and (2) its fiscal policy. After all the "troubles" over centuries of time, modern day Irish seem to have become too tired to continue – and quite simply surrendered. Major mistake!
Two other significant points:
(1) Capitalism works; socialism does not work. It is really that simple.
(2) Take complete control over the education of Irish youth. Get Government persons and religious persons out of the way!
Vinny: The current mess has exposed in great relief the existence of an "establishment mindset and grouping" . . . Looking to "the professions" for leadership? Ah come on now!