IS THIS JUST ANOTHER FECKING BLOG?
Yes, this is just another fecking blog.
WHAT IS IT YOU BELIEVE IN?
Well, I support the idea of a united Ireland that at its core has a belief in justice for all. This justice is not only justice in a legal sense, but also economic and social justice. I believe that this section of the 1916 Proclamation is the key to my beliefs and what kind of united Ireland I wish to see.
The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all of its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally……
ARE YOU JUST ANOTHER LEFTY PUSHING A LEFTY AGENDA?
Yes, but I no longer believe in a revolutionary road to socialism in any country where people have the right to vote and a parliamentary democracy is in place. In such countries alternative avenues for pushing social and economic reforms exist and I feel that socialists should pursue those avenues.
Yes, I am aware of who controls the media and economic power in such societies, but to me the price of a socialist revolution is too high and unlikely to gain the support of the people.
SO, ARE YOU A SOCIAL DEMOCRAT OR A SOCIALIST?
I don’t really know the difference. If social democrat means that I support parliamentary democracy and advocate that working people organise parliamentary parties to push for change, then yes I am a social democrat. If by socialist you mean the same thing, then yes I am a socialist. My future posts on policies will help you to make up your own mind.
WHAT ARE YOU AIMING TO DO WITH THIS BLOG?
Before answering that I need to say:
I am a member of Sinn Féin and I live in the south of Ireland.
I support the ending of the war in the North and feel that a return to the days of the war should be avoided, if possible.
Republicanism in Ireland has in my opinion been overly focused on issues in the 6 counties and as a result has failed to gain/develop support in the 26 counties.
The failure to gain a significant support base down here is one of the main failures of the entire republican movement and must be addressed, as a priority, by any republican group that wishes to see a united Ireland.
This blog is intended by me to be aimed at three main groups:
Members of Sinn Féin. I would like to see ordinary members come on here and discuss their opinions on developments in the party, areas of concern they may have, where they feel the party should be heading etc. Also I would be happy to post any articles they wish to write.
Supporters of Sinn Féin. To look at debates that are happening in the party and put forward any ideas/concerns they may have.
Undecided people. To see what discussions are happening within the party.
WHAT IS THIS BLOG NOT INTENDED FOR?
It is not intended to be an avenue for people to simply attack current Sinn Féin policy, without putting forward a considered alternative. There are plenty of other places to do that and if you feel strongly on the matter then write your own blog.
AND FINALLY
And finally, I am not a leading party figure and I don’t have any amazing insight into the operation of the leadership of this party, but I believe that a party is made up of its members and its supporters and their voice must be listened to. I hope that this blog will create an opportunity for such people to share their views on Sinn Féin and help build Sinn Féin into a mass 32 counties wide party of the people of Ireland. If we do this then we will be on the way to building the all Ireland Republic that the people of this island deserve
Good luck comrade. we need debate at this time, let's see what happens
ReplyDeleteGo raibh maith agat anon
ReplyDeletegood luck. iam not sure how much SF can achive with a minority in the Dail. i liked adams speach and would like to see some sort f broad allience of everybody on the left. not sure if he ment EVERYBODY but i do. venuzualia is a good model i believe. it wasn't one single group that lead change there, at it's core it was the comeing together of alot of different groups which consontrated on comonality to achieve reachable goals. i'd like to see that happen in Ireland. SF as the party positioned between the hard left of the swp etc and the soft left of labour etc may be good fasilitators in this or not. and it might be like ponding your head against a wall but at the end of it if an agreed set of common goals can be reached then it would be worth it. good luck.
ReplyDeletefair play to you.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I'll add you to my favs. Its badly required. Posting on a site like P.ie is sometimes a bit boring cause you never get anywhere.
As a friendly suggestion two additional links for you roll might be :
http://www.progressive-economy.ie/
www.irishleftreview.org
Jer
Thanks Jer, i'll post those links now
ReplyDeleteAnon, in terms of SF promoting a broad alliance for change well i am totally with you. have a look at my post on "an alliance for change what's that." It is basically up to ordinary members to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck
ReplyDeleteWe need more left bloggers and more Republican bloggers. So a Left Republican is more than welcomed.
http://www.organizedrage.com/
Mick
I am attracted to SF because I am a REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALIST, not a social democrat. A 32 county Socialist Republic is an honourable objective for all SF people. It is a revolutionary objective in itself and Republicans, more than any other group, know the past, present and future cost/sacrifices required for the establishment of a Socialist Ireland. The armed phase of revolutionary struggle ended-but the struggle continues (nonetheless).
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your web-site and forum. However, I think you should re-visit, expand and re-define/define the parameters of 'revolutionary' activity.Democracy should be taken to the streets via social agitation as well as the ballot boxes.