Governing, in my humble opinion, is about striking the best balance between what people want, what is possible and what is in the best interests of the future! And that’s my conviction.

That’s a really important point: there are legions out there who vote along traditional lines rather than meritorious platforms, which results in a lack of accountability; nobody should back a candidate just by dint of party membership. The civil war lines are eroding, but rather than a cosmopolitan voter appearing in replacement we have a swathe of apathy and indifference- so that a (albeit diminishing) party faithful are the motivated voter and the ‘aul parties get carried. The thing is that the apathetic non-voter could really mix it up by voting!
As far as your platform for running is concerned, again I would suggest you see where you stand on local issues and take it from there. That implies firstly, finding out what the local issues are. And you should have conviction in your own beliefs rather than casting about for the populist stance: if you’re honest and realistic in your aims people will respect that.
As for the Cumann reference that may have been a slip of the keyboard.

Frank, you’re welcome and I think this has opened an interesting debate.

Bit tired at the moment but I’ll kick back in later if there’s any more feedback.

Part of the problem I think is that people don’t know how or where to complain or express their opinions. Do you know who your local City/County Councillor is? Would you know how to contact them if you had an issue with which they might be able to help? Would you know the issues with which they could help?

PS Rhetorical questions I’m not tryin to pick on ya Frank!

Cork could do with some of the same treatment - where are all the local businesses going on Patrick Street? The signage on our main street is pretty awful also.

I read about towns in the states that managed to bring in very strict laws about signage and about the presence of multinationals on the main streets.

And if you look at Jello Biafra’s platform, I think it would be no bad thing to get cars out of the city centre and ensure public transport was up to scratch instead.

Jello’s thoughts on the police force might be worth looking at also…

And they’re just a couple of thoughts off the top of my head based on the texts above

schowie - I’ll check that out!

Dave OB - yes, you’re right about saying one thing and doing another. I think as a nation we are quite hypocritical - for example for years we sneered at Americans and there environment eating 4×4’s, but as soon as we get the cold hard cash we want two each.

Perhaps I will formulate a post on what I want from a candidate - but I’m not joking when I point to Hunter S and Jello Biafra.

There is a tendency in this country to say one thing and do another… We want change and honest politicians but we keep electing the party which time after time proves to be anything but than honest!!!

To all you non voters, it is you guys who will make the change. It is you guys who are the floating vote because those who do traditionally vote are still voting along civil war lines etc… So as Green Ink said above, make sure you vote for someone.

PS Green interesting that you said Cumann above re vague statements etc.

This has been an interesting chat.