Many of us feel frustrated at the corruption in politics and a national agenda set by big business to the detriment of ordinary citizens. But today the environmental consequences are perhaps the most important issue.
Global warming is a huge threat, oil stocks are depleting, and we just can’t afford yet another election in which the environment is either ignored or spun. That’s pretty much the reason I’m running for the Greens in Cork SW. I haven’t been particularly political in the past - I’ve almost always voted for whoever was in opposition, (only to be disappointed when they won).
Oil prices and the obligation to reduce CO2 emissions means Ireland will have to change. The sooner we embrace this change, the easier it will be. But we’re going the wrong direction, building motorways instead of affordable and efficient public transport; building the wrong type of power stations, houses that will cost a fortune to heat, and opting to meet our Kyoto commitments by paying EUR270M to buy carbon credits from other countries.
The sad reality is that money buys votes, and the piper calls the tune. We have numerous tribunals in which the worst excesses of that system have been revealed, but we still have construction companies and other industries piling money into the coffers of the main political parties. It is no coincidence perhaps that we also have procrastination and dithering on the energy standards of modern housing.
The Green Party happily doesn’t accept corporate donations. According to radio reports, the two main parties each have EUR3.5M to spend, while Labour apparently has about EUR1M. So for billboards, newspaper ads, putting posters on lamposts, stuffing literature in letterboxes and all the usual weapons of mass deception we simply cannot compete. Watch the wave of publicity strike in the coming weeks!
So here I am, relying on blogging, podcasts (soon to come) and anything else that is as near to free as possible. Thankfully the internet is a level playing pitch.
You can read more about me or find out more about my campaign issues.
I welcome your thoughts and feedback - use the comments box to join this discussion. There is also an RSS feed (link below) for this blog, so you can subscribe and automatically see updates when they are posted. I’m hoping to make this a daily blog (time permitting).
Thanks, Quentin.
Couldn’t agree more Quentin. Our so-called ‘democracy’ works only for the wealthiest 25% at most. If we don’t fix this, we’ll only have PR & ‘greenwash’ as Climate Change kills millions. It’s a global problem, but why not start here ? Let’s have elected politians make a lifelong pledge to foresake greedy self-interest & cosy ‘revolving door’ business appointments. And no cosy ‘friendships’ with Corporate & Media bosses. No ’super-rich’ either - all assets over, say 20mill, taxed at 100% - time we behaved properly on a finite planet & call greed what it is !
April 12th, 2007, at 9:36 am #Best wishes for your campaign !
Well, it would be a nice start if people over €20M got taxed at all! As it is they get away with having a holiday home and all they have to do to dodge tax have to fly hither and yonder.
There’s another interesting point though - at this stage, all the major parties have promised cuts in income tax.
How can you offer to cut tax and still promise more money for pensions, health and education and “whatever you’re having yourself ” with a straight face?
I get the faint whiff of loaves and fishes, but then I remember the health strategy five years ago and realise that of course its all a dream…
April 12th, 2007, at 10:27 am #Quentin, I’m really interested in whether you can generate some real debate online…
April 13th, 2007, at 8:06 pm #I think we’re all sick of the glib sound-bytes served up to us by the spin doctors. I believe that the internet can serve as a platform to help focus the electorate on what the real issues are and whether the government of Ireland (or the canditates for election) have any kind of a plan.
Hi John,
Yes, its a shame that what goes on in the media - even broadsheets, doesn’t seem to reflect what we all hear in general conversation on the street.
The fact that professional PR companies craft a press release, stage manage their launches etc. means that journalists get spoon-fed the official story.
When it comes to election, this is all worked up to a frenzy. Is it any surprise that so few young people vote? It’d be interesting to know how many bloggers plan to vote, or actually do. Does being better informed promote particiption?
April 14th, 2007, at 8:19 am #There is a massive gap between the Internet media & Mainstream media…below is an interesting extract from a piece by Cindy Sheehan, who became active after her son died in Iraq….
“..Another goal that the antiwar movement should have would be to move the overwhelming majority of Americans who are against the occupation of Iraq off their couches and into the streets. The leaders of our country are in the obscenely deep pockets of the war machine and are exceedingly comfortable there. Only a massive electoral revolt will be able to pick the pockets of the war profiteers and force our elected officials to represent us, not the wealthy.
The full piece is here:-
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/041707N.shtml
…Cindy has plainly identified that ‘big money’ interests have hijacked all major Politics & Media institutions in the USA & matters are little different anywhere…..
The results in mass murder in Iraq & the callous foot dragging in addressing Climate Change should be ringing alarm bells for all ordinary (non-rich) people the world over….
Truthful & open reporting is happening on the Internet, but the silence from even the so-called ‘quality’ media (BBC, Guardian, Observer, etc..) is deafening.
A recent interview by Newsnight’s Gavin Estler, commented on by ‘medialens’ shows very well how disgusting safe, cosy middle-class ‘journalism’ (sic) has become….
http://www.medialens.org/alerts/07/070417_the_bbcs_gavin.php
IPCC have now made plain how many millions (billions) of lives (of the poor) are at risk all over the world from Climate Change catastrophes….you can be sure the ‘Power Elite’ have known this for years….
There’ll be no mass media worth a s**t unless & until we have democracies that truly represent (majority) ordinary folk & not these feudal ‘Lords’ & their PR lackies.
In my humble opinion :)…
(ps. good to hear you’re enjoying yourself, Fintan, all best mate !)
April 17th, 2007, at 7:18 pm #Your Comment
Eircom.net hopefully have got your details.Quentin Gargan.
May 15th, 2007, at 4:00 am #They are runing an. Election Site. for there custmers, and i have sent them some details eg. your web address.www.quentiengargan.com