Comments on: A mortgage plan that will save a whole generation

By: One of the outsiders

One of the outsiders — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:00:23 +0000

Okay, what i don’t understand is how David can come up with a plan that seems to make such perfect sense, yet the government-who let’s not forget are getting paid more than the president of the United States to do their job-don’t seem to have a clue?
I think it’s time that we stood up to those that are making the bad decisions for us and then forcing us to pay for their mistakes, and listened to someone who knows what they are talking about! I’m all for starting a campaign to make David McWilliams taisoch! Who’s behind me?

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:45:05 +0000

G, you are, unfortunately, correct in what you say. I will be a great pity for us to lose the likes of you, but there is nothing here for you. Go to America. Although it is in a pretty bad economic crisis at the moment, it has an overarching popular consciousness that dictates: “Hey, Buddy, if you work hard, you will make it!”

Here, if you work hard, you get screwed! I have spent alot of time in America, in New York, DC, Virginia and I can honestly say that work is rewarded and standard of living is immeasurably higher than here.

Best of luck with your decision, man; God Speed.

By: Paul C

Paul C — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:05:13 +0000

How about John (Daily Show) Stewarts bank bailout plan?
Instead of handing 8bn of OUR money directly to the bankers in the humble hope that they will deign to start lending again, the Government hand the 8bn back to us to pay down our mortgages – so the banks still get the liquidity, but our mortgage debt is reduced. He calls it “trickle UP economics”.

So David, whats the flaw in that plan?

Paul

By: G

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:20:46 +0000

What about the guys who made millions and others billions , with their helicopters and foreign properties and who are not paying any tax?

What about money being sent offshore?

What about companies involved in creative accounting? all those who have dodged the Revenue?

The banking and corporate executives awarding themselves millions in bonuses and golden handshakes when they call it a day after they have wrecked the economy, plus the have pensions PAYE workers couldn’t imagine?

If you were to target all these people the government would bring in 100′s of millions – no word on this from IBEC! No word on this from Mary Coughlan!

Are our companies following in the footsteps of UK companies as highlighted in article below – we have no idea.

Guardian investigation – UK- Companies sent billions of potential tex money abroad
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/feb/02/tax-gap-avoidance

By: G

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:47:53 +0000

Malcolm – what you have described certainly seems like the trend, in fact with my work colleague, that is precisely it, her husband is in Sweden and Germany following construction work, the strain this puts on their marriage is tough. It seems in the modern world, the system attacks the family, the social fabric, in that we are all migrant workers, unless say you work in the public service and have a permanent, pensionable position, this world doesn’t seem conducive to marriage, I don’t want my child(ren) dropped off at some creche at 7.30am for me and my wife to head to work – no way – yet when you look at house prices, this is what people are forced to do, this is a crime in my eyes, that a few f**kers have the market tied up and exploit it to the maximum with no consideration for the ‘externalities’ (human consequences).

It is quite a system that has been created, this extreme form of capitalism (championed either knowingly or not by Bertie and his cronies – Irish neocons) which reduces us all – I fear for the ‘creche generation’, the damage this type of ‘up-bringing’ has on children, child development specialists and psychologists have spoken of the deleterious affects, the creation of an emotionally dysfunctional, cold generation of young people who enter the professions and extract their revenge on society. People commuting long distances, no job security, with massive mortgages – there must be a better way.

By: Malcolm McClure

Malcolm McClure — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:26:39 +0000

IreInExile and G : Your discussion here is really getting to the heart of the matter— To Go or not to Go? Here are my thoughts on the matter, for what they’re worth.
Most young men of ability just want to earn enough to marry, raise a family, educate them and eventually settle down and enjoy the fruits of their labours. This is becoming increasingly difficult for anyone to accomplish in the modern world. That is because of darwinian and malthusian pressures. In short, there are too many people competing for too few resources.
Therefore, the male partner has to remain sufficiently mobile to follow well-paid job opportunities where-ever they may lead. Unfortunately, to raise a stable family, that means that the female partner has to remain in a supportive home environment, looking after the (probably only) child with the help of gran etc. and must take less well-paid jobs locally when opportunity arises. Dad visits home for a few weeks when work allows, and eventually settles back home when he’s established himself. I have seen this formula working well for energetic and committed Irishmen.
Welcome to the real world we live in—if you have doubt about this—ask the Chinese.

By: G

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:49:52 +0000

agree 1000%

By: G

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:17:41 +0000

that comment was meant for Ire-in-Exile

By: G

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:12:37 +0000

I make the average industrial wage, not 40, 50, 60 thousand, I am struggling, I can’t even dream of buying a house, I am single, I’ve lived in 4 countries previously, and mad as it sounds, I have an ex in America, we are talking and I am thinking of taking a chance and hoping on that plane, I see the problems here but I also know the political system intimately having helped get a certain individual elected to the Dail on his first attempt in 07. I called to houses for a year and a half, only once did I have a question on international relations, it was mostly people complaining about the broken light or cracked pavement. Interesting that individual promised me a wel paid job working in politics but once elected he gave the job to his brother – not the first time a compatriot has ‘cut my throat’.

Going door to door, no offence meant, but I was struck by the utter lack of sophistication in people’s thinking, it depressed me to be honest. The political system is setup in such a way that you need a lot of money to run a campaign, pay for literature, and look at the electorate, they keep electing the same crooks, it is staggering. Samson himself couldn’t take on this, I am 32, and time is getting tight, I will have to make a decision soon, I just can’t see an opening here, the place when it was successful was sickening in terms of greed and people talking about property incessantly, there was nothing of substance (literature, music, international relations – nada, nichts) and now in bad times the people who never saw the vast wealth created by the Celtic Tiger are being hammered financially to pay for crooks who were literally laughing at us all – I could stay, but what can I achieve??

It seems pointless, you can’t change these people, you can’t penetrate this system, you can barely find an interesting job here, few quality posts, this is certain not Scandinavia, its an immature Republic than went for the quick buck and now is seriously burned.

By: Ire_in_Exile

Ire_in_Exile — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:01:43 +0000

I understand G….all the reasons I left in the first place…and issues that I am still extremely angry about still. I am based in Northern Europe- alternatively Sweden and Germany- countries which have social care and order in a manner that makes Ireland look like a realm of savages.
The current system there of further empowering wealthy cliques at the expense of the vulnerable is sickening.
It is all wrong- and urgent action is taken to rescue what little honour remains of the nation.

I would understand anyone getting out- except that that strategy plays into the hands of the establishment. Change is needed, and the clever and motivated should take a final stand.
The opportunity is rare and if it is missed then there shall be no recoverey.
It appears to me from this forum et al that there is a real grass roots movement for change now happening- get onboard and see what can be done! Emigration only removes you from actually taking part in your society, but it does not change that you are a part of it. (the real explanation to my comment above)
It at best a good temporary solution but it removes worthy voices of dissention just as they are needed most!
Good luck! whatever you choose.