Re: RENUA Ireland

So, the political landscape has changed, changed utterly with the launch of RENUA Ireland.

Or has it?

RENUA Ireland - The Political Party that is currently enjoying across the board publicity at the moment from both the State broadcasting outlets and private media such as newspapers and radio stations certainly know how to grab a headline or two. It is no co-incidence that the State media is under the thumb of the cabinet and the private Irish media is mostly owned by Ireland's richest man, Denis O'Brien. (hereinafter referred to as 'Dobby' to protect me from lawsuits or assassination attempts)

The party website is colourful, slick and presents a message based upon their stated core beliefs of ethical standards, renewing faith in politics through engaged citizens and open politics etc.  This is all very welcome indeed and I for one would be very supportive of the venture if it wasn't for the fact that there is nothing new or revitalising about the party membership.  Let's look at the broader picture.

Right now there are at least five credible grass roots parties which have sprung up from the protest movements and from engaged citizens losing faith in the traditional civil war parties and seeking genuine change and innovation.  I say 'credible' because, to get onto the ballot, the parties must have over 300 registered members and have the means to pay the fee.

There wasn't a peep about these new parties in any of the major media outlets. That should be your first hint that something is a bit fishy about RENUA Ireland. Lucinda Creighton et al, enjoyed local political machines, economic support from the tax payer and private interests and a head start but they're only registering now?

Declaring my interest:  I am a member of The Irish Democratic Party and this blog is about my contribution to the party's quest to completely reshape the Irish political sector to more accurately reflect the demographics and needs of the Irish citizenry.

Apart from my party there are the following parties outside the traditional gang of four (FF, FG, Lab and SF) on the ballot for the next general election as of 9th February 2015:

The Communist Party of Ireland
The Green Party
The Socialist Party
Catholic Democrats - The National Party
The South Kerry Independent Alliance
People Before Profit Alliance
Workers and Unemployed Action Party
Eirigí*  (They are not listed for Dáil Elections as at 9th February 2015 but I expect them to muster the numbers in time)
Fís Nua
Direct Democracy Ireland
United Left
Anti Austerity Alliance
Independents for Equality Movement

As you may have noticed, the vast majority of these parties are left leaning and/or have an anti- austerity agenda.  Yet, unless Mick Wallace or Ruth Coppinger kick up a fuss in the Dáil, there is precious little media or journalistic attention given to these parties; this is despite the fact that most have manifestos and policy documents available to the political desks on request.

In the IDP's case - I personally delivered manifesto, press release and strategy for change to each an every political desk in Dublin print, radio and television.  Yet, these documents seem to have failed to grab the imagination of the editorial fraternity.  At the same time, every other political columnist is crying out for a genuine movement away from the right wing politics of FF/FG

Curious, isn't it?  Are the columnists and editors not speaking to each other? Only Dobby knows.

Looking over the RENUA Ireland website I was struck by how couched and vague the language used in their 'Vision and Core Beliefs' page was.  It was slick and market friendly, as one would expect - these people have spent the last few decades of their lives creating slick and flashy brochures for their parent party's cronies - but let's employ some critical thinking to what they are saying.  Remember, this page is their CREDO.  There should be no need for discretion or diplomacy here.

RENUA on the role of the State:

The primary role of the state is to keep the citizen safe. A state that fails to meet this criterion fails its people. The state should as far as possible stay outside of the lives of the citizen. Ireland must recognize self-reliance is a virtue rather than a necessity. A culture of dialogue between equals must replace the current hierarchical Victorian style age of deference.

This sounds so very firm and decisive on first reading - but doubts nag, don't they?  Let's use the critical faculties we have to take this apart like we take apart the idealised claims of TV ads.

• The State's role is to keep the citizen safe.
• safe from what?  Crime?  Invasion?  Bad haircuts and fashions?  Gangsta rap?  
• In practically the same breath we are told that the state must keep the citizen safe whilst staying outside the lives of the citizen (sic). 
• How?  Like a political force field?  Like the Holy Spirit? This is very similar to Laissez Faire political philosophy which was rife in the mid to late 19th Century which directly brought about the disaster of the Irish Famine. Laissez faire means 'leave them to it'.
• Ireland must recogniZe (my capitalisation to show US English - that's sloppy) that self-reliance is a virtue rather than a necessity.  
• Aha!  This sounds familiar, it's the 'provide for yourselves and don't expect anything from the state' model of the US Republican Party. Which, in a thriving and fair economy would be somewhat acceptable but in a rigged, elitist economy is simply greed. 
• A culture of dialogue between equals must replace the current hierarchical Victorial style age of deference.
• Why pick on the Victorians?  Is it because that after the Laissez Faire years of the Georges that public and private philanthropy became fashionable and admired in this period?  The Iveagh Trust was established by the Guinness family under Victoria.

I could go on and on and on, strawmanning through the entire Vision and Core Beliefs page line by line but that would just be boring  Suffice it to say, if I rewrote this plausible sounding paragraph in plain English this 'core belief' should read like this....

RENUA on the State:

The primary role of the state is to maintain security. A state that fails to maintain security fails its political class and the people won't pay punitive taxes. The state should as far as possible stay outside of the bank accounts, private investments, club memberships and hard drives of the most powerful citizen (Dobby). Ireland must recognize that poverty is a vice rather than an unfortunate result of political incompetence. A culture of dialogue between Dobby's gang and their servile TDs must replace the current Separation of Powers Act style limiting of private access to state resources and revenues.

Would you like me to continue?   Well....OK then ;)

What RENUA  says about Communities:

The development and liberation of independent communities is the primary objective of any movement for political reform. Reversing the destructive culture of the abolition of community life from the school to the post office is a core value. Small rather than generic is beautiful. We pledge to rebuild the high street as a central feature of the regeneration of rural Ireland.

Translation:

The development and liberation of independent communities from public funding is a central economic strategy of RENUA's reforms. Reversing the destructive flow of culchies out from their dirt cheap, beyond-the-pale community lifestyles into cities with prospects, education and leisure facilities is a core value. Small minded and traditional rather than tolerant and cosmopolitan is economically more manageable. We pledge to tart up the high street with some coffee shops and use that fig-leaf policy to cover our lack of investment in the regeneration of rural Ireland.

I'm having fun now, are you?

RENUA on Justice:

The primary role of Justice is the protection of the citizens. The courts and the Gardai must be servants of the citizen in this regard. RENUA Ireland believes a regeneration of a policy of zero tolerance in the streets and the courts is necessary.

Translation:

The primary role of Justice is the protection of the status-quo. The courts and the Gardai must be servants of the most wealthy citizen (Dobby) in this regard. RENUA Ireland believes implementing a policy of zero tolerance in the streets and the courts is necessary, since that's where most of the poorer classes will end up.

 RENUA on the Environment:

The progressive degradation of Ireland’s environment is the lethal consequence of the current political culture of vested interests and political cronyism. The aim of any real movement for reform must be to break this and to reform local government in a manner where the primacy of bureaucracy is replaced by the primacy of the citizen.

Translation:

Ireland’s environment has largely weathered the current political culture of vested interests and political cronyism. The aim of any right wing party must be to break this resilience and to wipe out local government in a manner where the primacy of environmental protections is replaced by the primacy of Dobby's bottom line. 

RENUA on Real Family Values:

RENUA Ireland believes a state without strong families is a broken reed. We commit to supporting families of all types in a practical caring fashion.

Translation: Valuing Real Families (A mammy, a daddy and healthy, hetero children....LOTS of them!)

RENUA Ireland believes a state that supports non-traditional families is a broken reed. We commit to taxing families of all types in an economically efficient, discriminating yet patronising fashion. 

 RENUA on Children:

There is no greater moral and political issue than securing the future of children.

Translation;

There is no greater moral and political strategy than securing the votes of children's nervous, helicopter parents and securing more children for the future. (no matter how unlikely they are to survive and lead independent, pain-free lives - please refer to the 'practical caring' mentioned above)

RENUA on Agriculture:

Farming is at the heart of Ireland’s identity. RENUA Ireland believes that agriculture and small rural enterprise are the foundation of the regeneration of rural Ireland. Independent communities are only sustained by economic self sufficiency.

Translation: Google 'Agribusiness'  or  'Monsanto' .

Farm seizures are at the heart of Ireland’s protest movement. RENUA Ireland believes that agriculture and small rural enterprise are ripe for austerity measures to pay for the Quangos of political Ireland. Independent communities are only permitted if they can prove economic profitability to our investor, Dobby.

RENUA on Education:  *stop giggling at the back!

RENUA Ireland believes in pursuing the fundamental reform of our Education system as a priority. Citizens rather than trade unions must decide the future of our country.

Translation:

RENUA Ireland believes in pursuing fundamentalist reform of our Education system as a priority. Dobby and his investor friends rather than trade union supported, qualified, professional educators must decide the future of their country.  He who pays the piper calls the tune and all that....

RENUA on Public Service:

Our intent is to develop a concept of public service that rewards excellence, openness and transparency. Public servants are the citizens who build the state. Success and reform enhances their lives as much as those of the private sector.

Translation:

We have an intent when it comes to the concept of public service! We reward excellent, openly-leaking party loyalists. Public servants are citizens.  No, really, they still are! Who will rebuild the state once our success and reforms eviscerates their lives as much as those trapped in the budget-priced private sector?

 RENUA on Arts and Culture:

RENUA Ireland believes a thriving Arts and Cultural sector are central to a progressive Republic. We believe in creating the conditions that allow arts and culture to flourish.

Translation: Bread and Circuses

RENUA Ireland believes that thrifting arts and culture and making it's voice of dissent just an economic 'sector' are central to our progressive dismantling of the Republic. We believe in creating the intensely challenging and dramatic conditions that arts and culture manage to overcome and to flourish again and again. (think culture as in Petrie dish, or the back of an impoverished student's fridge - mould and wet rot are free yet so full of color!)

RENUA on European Reformation:

Regenerating the European project will play a key role in building Independent thriving states. RENUA Ireland believes Europe needs a political reformation if it is to achieve this end. The unity we need to build is one which respects diversity and where the European institutions serve citizens rather than banks and bond-holders

Translation:  Fasten your seat belts, Europe!

The European project is just that, a project. We will play a key role in building Independent thrifty states. RENUA Ireland believes Europe needs a political reformation if it is to acquiesce and end. The unity we on the right need to build is one which respects the threat of diversity and establishes a regime where the European institutions serve summons, notices to quit, and legal writs on its citizens rather than on banks and bond-holders

RENUA on Semi States:

RENUA Ireland believes the appropriate role of the state is to build the good society and foster economic self reliance. The state should disengage from all economic activities that do not meet this criterion.

Translation:  You couldn't make this up!

RENUA Ireland believes appropriate tools of the state can build the God society and foster economic selfishness and resilience against pleas for mercy. The state should disengage from all economic activities.  Just that. Actually, do we really need a state?

RENUA on Northern Ireland

We commit ourselves to supporting the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
We support and recognise the intrinsic rights of all communities and traditions in Northern Ireland. We will continue to work with all partners in the peace process and maintain the strong support given to the democratic institutions of Northern Ireland by the Irish state.

Translation:  RENUA on not f*cking with Sinn Féin because they know where we work!

We commit ourselves to supporting the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
We support and recognise the intrinsic rights of all communities and traditions in Northern Ireland. We will continue to work with all partners in the peace process and maintain the strong support given to the democratic institutions of Northern Ireland by the Irish state.

RENUA on Housing and Property:

Possessing your own home is one of the practical lodestones of personal liberty. Home ownership is not a right but it should not become a privilege either. The ongoing failure to resolve the mortgage arrears is harming the psychological recovery of the Republic.In a time of changing property trends the state shall endeavour to ensure by all practicable means that home ownership, be it via the private or public sector can be secured by all.

Translation:

Sitting tenants possessing our paid-for homes is one of the lodestones on our personal prosperity. Home ownership is not a right for the lower percentiles and it should not become a privilege either. The ongoing failure to resolve the mortgage arrears is harming the economic takeover of the Republic. In a time of changing property trends the state shall ensure all home ownership be via the private sector and unmanageable, crippling debt can be secured by all.

RENUA on Taxation:

Taxation is essential for the funding of the good society. Excessive taxation and regressive taxation have negative consequences that have a depressive economic effect on society. Our priority is to undertake a root and branch review of the Irish taxation system including the PAYE and VAT systems. We will propose tax reforms across all areas of the economy including personal taxation in due course.

Translation:

Taxation is essential for the funding of the God society. Excessive taxation and regressive taxation may have negative consequences that have a depressive economic effect on society but our priority is to undertake a root and branch review of the Irish taxation system including the PAYE and VAT systems because they can still pay for smartphones. We will propose tax reforms across all areas of the economy, excepting those areas not within the actual economy like Cyprus, Malta and the Isle of Man, but including your personal taxation because we're worth it.

RENUA on Health:

We believe in transformation of the health service which builds services out of the HSE and into the community to create home rather than hospital or institutional centred care for children, the elderly and those with special needs.Like Irish Water the HSE is not fit for purpose and must be rebuilt free from the orthodoxy of vested interests.

Translation:

We believe in transformation of the health service which builds services as far out from the HSE as is possible and inserting burdens into the community to create home rather than hospital or institutional centred care for children, the elderly and those with special needs; because family members may not have medical degrees or FETAC qualifications but they look good on posters, reality TV and advertisements. Like Irish Water the HSE is not fit for plunder just yet so it must be rebuilt for free and submit to the orthodoxy of investors' interest rates.

RENUA on Entrepreneurialism:

RENUA Ireland believes in a society that encourages families, communities and businesses to embrace an ethic of enterprise and improvement. Self employment and entrepreneurship should be a matter of first choice rather than necessity.

Translation:  Yes, it's a French word but don't panic!

RENUA Ireland believes in a society that forces families, communities and businesses to submit to an ethic of enterprise and underfunded self improvement. Self employment and entrepreneurship will be matter of first choice rather than something you do because there's no industry nearby or even casual work to be had. These circumstances will now be the constant. (Unless you went to the right school and your parents play golf)

RENUA on Welfare:

A functioning state ensures all its citizens are afforded the means of existence and the possibility to secure a dignified purposeful life. We intend in welfare to build a state structure that marries compassion with responsibility.

Translation:

A fundamentalist state ensures all its citizens are charged for the means of existence and hopelessly aspire to the possibility to secure a dignified purposeful life. We intend in welfare to build a state structure that ensures you are first married and have no passion for life without any state responsibility even though it's enshrined in the Constitution.

RENUA on Old Politics:

Old politics bankrupted the state. Ireland needs a new kind of politics that is open and ethical and designed for modernity. Dialogue, respect for difference, tolerance, scrutiny, accountability and participation by all should be the touchstone of Irish political life.

Translation:

Fianna Fáil bankrupted the state, not us. Ireland needs a new kind of politics that is openly antithetical to kindness and designed solely for iPhone apps. Dialogue, prepaid messaging, respec' for Think Different, gluten intolerance, state scrutiny, offshore account abilities and cash participation by all should be the touchy-feely way we infiltrate Irish political life.

RENUA on Foreign Policy:

RENUA Ireland supports an ethical foreign policy. We are supportive of European integration where it serves the interest of citizens in a progressive fashion.

Translation:

RENUA Ireland supports a neoliberal foreign policy. We are supportive of European integration into NATO where it serves our investors and lets us charge interest on our citizens in a progressive, even exponential, fashion if necessary.

So, there it is in all its glory.  A party founded upon the principle of Fine Gael's policy on abortion for crisis pregnancies being too soft reveals their ability with MS Word Thesaurus and wows the Irish media (Including Old Moore's Almanac - they didn't see that one coming, I bet!)

Know what you're voting for.

Peace!