Dublin Youth Against The Treaty!

by tried to make me vote for Lisbon I said No No No Sat Jun 07, 2008 21:39

Charlie doesn't think people should read the treaty

by Amy Wino Sat Jun 07, 2008 21:42

might be worth checking the video out on youtube to see it in high quality

by Galway Woman Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:38

The Neo-liberal Socialist

by Frustrated Galwegian

I'm a neo-liberal Socialist,
Whose name is Michael D.,
A Labour Party member,
Whose voting for the EU Treatee.

I'm a NATO loving Peacenik,
Now, for battle groups we need,
To fight wars for NATO's greed,
and the markets to keep free.

I'm a boss supporting leftie,
Voting for Free Marketeers,
Just don't mention our public service,
That one's for the privateers.

I'm concerned about the climate,
and for workers rights indeed,
Who cares the Lisbon Treaty,
Makes a mockery of these?

Nuclear Power,
You know we love it,
And Windscale, or is that Sellafield?
So lets all vote for this Treaty,
For to get some more of these.

The Internationale, you know I've sung it,
Drunk French wine and sipped Dutch tea,
But as a good ol' EUro boy now,
I'll ignore their voting pleas.

Not to mention all the others,
Who ne'er a voting slip will see,
Urge Yes, deny the others,
A say in EU-style democracy.

So whether Treaty or Constitution,
Who cares what terminology?
Sure who could read it or explain it?
With that the elites are pleased.

So new Labour will support it,
With unthinking loyalty,
In our new-style opposition,
Voting Yes with Charlie McCreevey.

Left or right we've moved beyond it,
Lenin, Marx and workers needs,
Instead we're for Free Markets,
With which the bosses are best pleased.

Peter Mandie, now we trust him,
With World Trade and boardroom deals,
Just don't mention in his career,
Twice failed for dodgey deals.

Free Market's our new religion,
And GATS the prayer we speak,
A harder squeeze on the poor worker,
And poor farmer in his field.

Just don't worry about the water,
health service, ESB,
Before long we will not own them,
For the rich they will be freed.

And don't worry about the peace now,
workers rights, democracy,
The Commission'll sort it all out,
if we give in to their powerful greed.

So give up your vote to Lisbon,
It's for a new-style market-free,
Free for some and not for others,
It's the new EU-style democracy.

(Written after reading comments by Michael D. in the Local Press urging
people to vote Yes. Written 8.06.2008)

Feel free to pass this on, post on web or anywhere

by Michael D Mulhern - None Mon Jun 09, 2008 13:01

In Realation to the anti treaty stance of, Dublin Youth to Lisbon.
I can well understand why most under 40’s and possibly under 60’s could so easily be encouraged to register a protest vote in Thursday’s referendum, most have never endured the poverty experienced by the generations prior to our joining the EEC.
It has to be pointed out that Ireland’s major export in the 50’s and 60’s was our people and no matter how many complaints are made in relation to it, it has to be accepted that we are now a nett importer of people.
In relation to the republican anti-treaty element I would point out that I would consider myself as good a republican as anyone and possibly a better one than most elected on that ticket and would ask them to remember that this country fought a War for Independence and was then forced into a Civil War. What was the reward? We had to lick the arse of England and accept whatever crumbs fell from her table, most of our exports went to England and the USA and prices were dictated by them, we relied on them for our raw materials and there was constant fluctuation in the cost of these and when they wanted to squeeze us they had no qualms about it.
It was our entry into Europe, not the blood sacrifice of our ancestors that delivered us from this period of thraldom, at long last we were allowed to prosper in an open market and hold up our heads and be proud of our nationality long may this continue and to guarantee it, I will be voting yes on Thursday and hope every one else will do the same I would hate a return to pre EEC days.

Regards,
Michael Mulhern.
Bundoran.

by rock and dole years Mon Jun 09, 2008 13:33

Yeah there was no poverty in Ireland after 1973. No emigration in the eighties, no mass unemplyment, no conflict, no hunger, no butter vouchers, no cutbacks in health and social welfare.

It was all a dream. If you wanted money you just had to ask the Europeans and they would give you a tip to put a bet on a horse.

Note: If you believe the EU ended poverty, emigration and conflict in reland then you are stupid.

by Nikita - CYM Mon Jun 09, 2008 14:31

The rally for a no vote was jointly organised by Ogra Shinn Fein, Connolly Youth Movement and other independant socialist activists.

The slogans for the theme of the rally were:
*Defend Workers And Migrants Rights
*Resist Privatisation
*Oppose EU Militarisation.

Thanks to OSF and the others for organising it with us, it was good to have a manifestation of a leftist no vote on streets. Also thanks to the WSM and IPSC speakers for making their point on the open mic and to all the other people who turned up on the day!

Remember to get out and vote on Thursday. Solidarity.

by Nikita - CYM Mon Jun 09, 2008 14:34

See Below.

Palestine Solidarity Speaker

WSM Speaker

Independent Socialist Speaker

OSF Speaker

CYM Speaker

by Phil Mon Jun 09, 2008 21:26

Rock and dole, you scoff at the contributor who makes the point that Ireland has gained from EU membership - if you doubt the economic improvements that have come to Ireland from our membership, which are pretty clear to see, you should consult the CSO for the statistical figures.

Something in the region of €60 billion in funding has come to Ireland since 1973. Of course, the trading benefits we get from membership are much more valuable, but in terms of direct funding that is the figure.

Ireland's membership of the EU has not eliminated poverty, but has certainly reduced it. This has benefitted us all.

by Phil Mon Jun 09, 2008 22:02

The EU does not create employment - no Government or organistion such as the EU does. What the EU does do, however, is give us free access to a huge market for our goods and services, and allows us free access as individuals to live and work across the union whereever we choose. Before we joined the EU we were crushingly dependent on the UK as our main export market - the EU has allowed us to grow economically, diversify what we produce and where we sell it to, and consequently unemployment has dropped significantly.

The Government is responsible for developing the M3 - whatever gripe you have with that take it up with Dublin, not Brussels.

by Phil Mon Jun 09, 2008 22:44

EU legislation has consistently driven the standard of working conditions up - if SIAC or any other employer breaks any of these conditions then they should be prosecuted. That's a matter for the Irish Government to follow up on, and for the Irish regulatory authorities like the Health and Safety authority etc.

When it comes to taxation matters we have a veto - no change in taxation can be brought in without our Government voting to accept it. It's that simple - a veto is a veto is a veto.

by Phil Mon Jun 09, 2008 22:55

Well, if someone is guilty of assault then they should face a prosecution for it - no question. Breaking the law isn't acceptable. Personation is, also, against the law, so hopefully anyone guilty of that will face the appropriate consequence also.

Again, that's a matter for us (Irish Government) to handle, not Brussels.

by Phil Mon Jun 09, 2008 23:07

Of course the ECJ will not have the power to overturn our veto - if it did, it would not be a veto. We can decide whether to join any taxation system at European level, and can veto any new proposed arrangement that we don't agree with.

The EU is very fast to fine us for breaches of environmental law - this shows the committment the EU has towards environmental protection, and is welcome. The EU also has consistently driven working standards up - the EU has provided a raft of protections for workers, and has forced countries - like Ireland - to improve working standards. Far from somehow abandoning all of us who have a job, the EU has been central to improving our conditions. When these conditions are agreed at EU level it falls to national Governments to police them and to ensure that any company that breaks the law is dealt with.

by Michael Mulhern - None Tue Jun 10, 2008 02:05

I think it would have been wise if the author of, Poverty? by rock and dole years, instead of shooting from the hip had taken time to read my comments, he has not answered any of the many points made in my article, instead he has tried to put words in my mouth , is he dyslexic?

He certainly seems to have led a leisurely life betting on horses whilst collecting his social welfare, butter vouchers, and possibly the free beef all provided by the Common Agricultural Policy.
Prior to 1973 a lot of us knew what butter was but could not afford it and if he and his cronies have their way we could all be heading down that same road again.

I would advise him to take a long look at his bedfellows in the No Camp, who have been shouting sell out, loss of neutrality etc. since the first shots were fired in the campaign to join Europe is it not time they changed the record? after all they are not shy when accepting their fat pay- checks from Brussels.

I also would ask him to consult the article, Libertas: US Military Contractors Against Lisbon! that appears on this site maybe it might open his mind to the real objectives of the company he is keeping, unless of course he is one of their hirelings.

I apologise for the delay in answering his comments, fortunately for some I am one of those stupid people who got off his arse to work and pay taxes to help keep cutbacks in the Health and Social Welfare system to a minimum.

Regards,
Michael Mulhern.

by Zig Thu Aug 21, 2008 16:27

Below.

Caption: Video Id: mcWIOEPm4CM Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video