National Forum

Non-Gaa Forum

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To TheFlaker:  "Fake moon landing? You are some craic. I do enjoy tinfoil heads and their lack of logic."
The moon landing fib is for people who don't believe in Santa nor the tooth fairy anymore.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2614 - 04/04/2026 17:43:28    2664737

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "My point was that the corporate greed of Ireland in 2026 does not meet the vision of the 1916 proclamation?"
A lot of flowery prose written by Pearse the dreamer in different times and circumstances.
Is it not Corporate greed that has us now with a good economy and all that flows from that good and bad?

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 453 - 04/04/2026 18:58:47    2664754

Link

Replying To Seanfan:  "A lot of flowery prose written by Pearse the dreamer in different times and circumstances.
Is it not Corporate greed that has us now with a good economy and all that flows from that good and bad?"
Yes there is economic prosperity but at what price ? In 2024 Ireland was the 9th ranked enabler country of global tax avoidance/abuse in the World. For such a small country in global terms that is a shocking indictment.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 04/04/2026 19:27:06    2664763

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "I am not an expert but the two ways would be radical wealth distribution from upper classes who have more money and assets than they need to working classes which would be a fairer society so that Ireland does not become a country of have and have nots.

Capitalism is leading to highs levels of inequality . China and Vietnam have market economies to build enough wealth to eventually bin capitalism for good. There would be a lot of experts who understand economics better than me who could decide who needs what and how wealth could be better distributed. My main point was that the situation today does not mean the idealistic vision of 1916 ?"
China has a leader who has amassed a personal wealth of over one billion dollars for him and his family, cracked down on all forms of dissent including long prison terms for human rights activists, operates forced work camps and state surveillance on an industrial scale, mass detention torture and sexual violence against the Uyghur population.
Is this your idea of a socialist republic?

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 460 - 04/04/2026 19:47:44    2664768

Link

Replying To Freethinker:  "Can you explain how this " Socialist" state you envision of 5/6 million people would survive in today's global economy ?? The only way we have of getting out is through a major international airline. Same with the ferries. All major international companies. Maybe go back to Devs vision of an Ireland where everyone has their half acre plot to grow their own food, keep a goat, pig and maybe a cow, comely maidens dancing at the crossroads ?? Interesting."
Ireland has achieved economic prosperity but the international reputation has without doubt suffered by virtue of running what many countries would view as a "tax scam" economy?

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 04/04/2026 19:50:56    2664769

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "Yes there is economic prosperity but at what price ? In 2024 Ireland was the 9th ranked enabler country of global tax avoidance/abuse in the World. For such a small country in global terms that is a shocking indictment."
Well I for one am glad that my kids don't have to face compulsory emigration.
8 of my 9 aunts and uncles had to in the 1950s/60s.

My grandparents had 16 siblings forced to emigrate in the 1920/30s .
Wecwerexa source of cheap food and labour for England and the U.S.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 453 - 04/04/2026 19:57:03    2664770

Link

Replying To tireoghainabu:  "China has a leader who has amassed a personal wealth of over one billion dollars for him and his family, cracked down on all forms of dissent including long prison terms for human rights activists, operates forced work camps and state surveillance on an industrial scale, mass detention torture and sexual violence against the Uyghur population.
Is this your idea of a socialist republic?"
China isnt a socialist country

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19049 - 04/04/2026 20:54:32    2664793

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "China isnt a socialist country"
You are correct but "Red and Black" was exorting the virtues of a socialist republic and cited China as a shining example.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 460 - 04/04/2026 21:59:20    2664805

Link

Replying To tireoghainabu:  "You are correct but "Red and Black" was exorting the virtues of a socialist republic and cited China as a shining example."
China considers itself a Socialist country. Its system is known as Socialism with Chinese characteristics or a Socialist market economy. China is far from perfect but it is not a threat to World peace like USA or Israel. These capitalist countries have overseen the horrors in Gaza. It also is much more committed to the reunification of its national territory (Taiwan) than Ireland is.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 04/04/2026 23:11:32    2664822

Link

China officially describes its system as a "socialist market economy" or "socialism with Chinese characteristics," aiming for common prosperity through state-led development. It combines a dominant, state-owned sector in key industries with a robust private sector and market mechanisms, marking a shift from a strict Maoist command economy.

Political Structure: The country is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which adheres to Leninist principles and maintains centralized control.

Economic Structure: While often described by outsiders as state capitalism, it features massive state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in sectors like banking, energy, and telecommunications.

Ideology: The party officially embraces Marxism-Leninism and maintains that it is in the "primary stage of socialism".

Key Distinctions: The system merges capitalist methods (private property, markets) with socialist aims (government guidance of the economy and social control), aiming to move toward long-term communist goals.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 04/04/2026 23:15:58    2664825

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "Ireland has achieved economic prosperity but the international reputation has without doubt suffered by virtue of running what many countries would view as a "tax scam" economy?"
What Countries?
Loads of Corporatin Tax being paid by the multinationals here.
If you think a SF/PBP Coalition would be a good thing....God bless your naivety.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 453 - 05/04/2026 00:06:07    2664835

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "China officially describes its system as a "socialist market economy" or "socialism with Chinese characteristics," aiming for common prosperity through state-led development. It combines a dominant, state-owned sector in key industries with a robust private sector and market mechanisms, marking a shift from a strict Maoist command economy.

Political Structure: The country is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which adheres to Leninist principles and maintains centralized control.

Economic Structure: While often described by outsiders as state capitalism, it features massive state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in sectors like banking, energy, and telecommunications.

Ideology: The party officially embraces Marxism-Leninism and maintains that it is in the "primary stage of socialism".

Key Distinctions: The system merges capitalist methods (private property, markets) with socialist aims (government guidance of the economy and social control), aiming to move toward long-term communist goals."
At least we can criticse our rulers.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 453 - 05/04/2026 11:25:13    2664853

Link

Replying To Seanfan:  "What Countries?
Loads of Corporatin Tax being paid by the multinationals here.
If you think a SF/PBP Coalition would be a good thing....God bless your naivety."
Any country who is a competitor to Ireland would view Ireland's economy and tax system as giving Ireland an unfair competitive advantage in terms of trade.

"Other European countries have maintained a "negative perception" of Ireland's low corporate tax record, which has been cited as a "challenge" to its reputation, despite Ireland's compliance with EU law. " Howard Luttnick has called Ireland a "tax scam".

It's fair that you highlight the economic prosperity of Ireland but it must be counter balanced by the fact the capitalism is responsible for widening inequality. Such inequalities have knock on effects. Someone in the Republic will live on average two years longer than someone in the North because the Republic is richer and more prosperous.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 05/04/2026 12:16:31    2664863

Link

Replying To Seanfan:  "At least we can criticse our rulers."
Our rulers won't dare criticise the United States !!

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 05/04/2026 12:17:28    2664864

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "Our rulers won't dare criticise the United States !!"
Really ?? What has that got to do with anything ??

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2190 - 05/04/2026 12:42:27    2664871

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "China officially describes its system as a "socialist market economy" or "socialism with Chinese characteristics," aiming for common prosperity through state-led development. It combines a dominant, state-owned sector in key industries with a robust private sector and market mechanisms, marking a shift from a strict Maoist command economy.

Political Structure: The country is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which adheres to Leninist principles and maintains centralized control.

Economic Structure: While often described by outsiders as state capitalism, it features massive state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in sectors like banking, energy, and telecommunications.

Ideology: The party officially embraces Marxism-Leninism and maintains that it is in the "primary stage of socialism".

Key Distinctions: The system merges capitalist methods (private property, markets) with socialist aims (government guidance of the economy and social control), aiming to move toward long-term communist goals."
You should actually speak to people who have had dealings with China - business wise etc, instead of sharing a probably state approved overview. And yes, I have. Broaden your horizons a little. China is miles away from being a country based on socialist principles. Tiannamen Square come to mind ?? The Uighur people come to mind ?? Best of luck to you, should you decide to move there to follow your utopian dream.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2190 - 05/04/2026 12:52:31    2664872

Link

Replying To Freethinker:  "You should actually speak to people who have had dealings with China - business wise etc, instead of sharing a probably state approved overview. And yes, I have. Broaden your horizons a little. China is miles away from being a country based on socialist principles. Tiannamen Square come to mind ?? The Uighur people come to mind ?? Best of luck to you, should you decide to move there to follow your utopian dream."
At no time did I say China was perfect no country is. Yet China is a much lesser threat to World peace than the United States and Israel. The leading capitalist country in the World is a rogue state of the highest order under Trump and its ally Israel is the most dangerous country in the World currently.

How many wars have the United States been involved in in the last 250 years? Israel in the last 70 years? Ireland should be taking a much stance against their war crimes given our experiences at the hands of the evil British Empire? This is nothing against the people of the USA especially Irish America who have long supported the cause of freedom. Yet it is disgraceful the impunity with which the USA and Israel have set fire to the Middle East.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 05/04/2026 13:19:18    2664879

Link

Replying To Freethinker:  "Really ?? What has that got to do with anything ??"
Double standards in regards to holding states accountable for breaking international law is thoroughly unacceptable.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1748 - 05/04/2026 14:02:12    2664887

Link

Replying To REDANDBLACK30:  "Any country who is a competitor to Ireland would view Ireland's economy and tax system as giving Ireland an unfair competitive advantage in terms of trade.

"Other European countries have maintained a "negative perception" of Ireland's low corporate tax record, which has been cited as a "challenge" to its reputation, despite Ireland's compliance with EU law. " Howard Luttnick has called Ireland a "tax scam".

It's fair that you highlight the economic prosperity of Ireland but it must be counter balanced by the fact the capitalism is responsible for widening inequality. Such inequalities have knock on effects. Someone in the Republic will live on average two years longer than someone in the North because the Republic is richer and more prosperous."
While there may be those in the EU who are unhappy at our Corporate tax levels, there are many who gain from us giving up our fishing rights to extensive waters for the benefit of other EU nations.

You're saying Capitalism is responsible for widening inequality, but when did full equality ever exist in Irish history or indeed European or global history?

I believe that everyone in Ireland should have equal access to education, healthcare and a basic pension in retirement. but there needs to be incentives to work, otherwise the whole thing collapses. If you give everyone the same opportunity at the beginning, then its up to them how far they go and that should be respected.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1704 - 05/04/2026 14:58:00    2664889

Link

Replying To Commodore:  "While there may be those in the EU who are unhappy at our Corporate tax levels, there are many who gain from us giving up our fishing rights to extensive waters for the benefit of other EU nations.

You're saying Capitalism is responsible for widening inequality, but when did full equality ever exist in Irish history or indeed European or global history?

I believe that everyone in Ireland should have equal access to education, healthcare and a basic pension in retirement. but there needs to be incentives to work, otherwise the whole thing collapses. If you give everyone the same opportunity at the beginning, then its up to them how far they go and that should be respected."
Do you think we have equality of opportunity here? Is financial gain the only motivator for working hard?

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4385 - 05/04/2026 18:43:26    2664903

Link