Survey -- what would YOU do to sort the economy out?

I've thrown up a quick survey here. It'll take all of 30 seconds to fill out.

Basically, I'm sick of all the waffle, finger-pointing and excuses. No-one feels they're to blame for this mess and no-one wants to be in the firing line for any cuts.

So here's a chance to specify what exactly you would do if you had the power.

Comments

I'd tax anyone that has a second property, weed out any wasters in the public sector (anyone that should have been weeded out back when the health boards were disbanded and the HSE was set up as a monolith to take their place). I'd abolish state subsidies for private colleges (if the rich want to educate their children in private institutions let them pay for it themselves). I'd remove Ministers of State, Junior Ministers of State and abolish payments for people who sit on semi-state boards - lets face it, they benefit enough from mixing in the corridors of power. I wouldn't know where to stop to be honest!!

[Orlaith]

I'd tax anyone that has a second property, weed out any wasters in the public sector (anyone that should have been weeded out back when the health boards were disbanded and the HSE was set up as a monolith to take their place). I'd abolish state subsidies for private colleges (if the rich want to educate their children in private institutions let them pay for it themselves). I'd remove Ministers of State, Junior Ministers of State and abolish payments for people who sit on semi-state boards - lets face it, they benefit enough from mixing in the corridors of power. I wouldn't know where to stop to be honest!!

[Lar Veale]

Borrow more while interest rates are down.

Drop VAT to 10% and increase wages by 5%.

Bribe all Irish economists to say the recession is over.

Hire all the redundant construction workers to build major infrastructural projects.

If all that fails, swell the size of the army and occupy strategic positions in the north (Sainsbury's in Newry, for starters).

[Rachel Morrogh]

A large proportion of the problem can be attributed to commentators droning on about how we're all screwed, and if we're not screwed already, we will be by the end of the year. The chatter about the old D&G (Dolce and Gabbana) has been substituted with the new D&G (doom and gloom) and only serves to make us all more miserable.

And of course this feeling of despair will only be exacerbated when our decisive leader rows back on his Plan B by giving in to the unions when they all go on strike.

[J W]

If I could do one thing in the public sector, I would remove the security of employment and make it equivalent of the private sector. Its still hard to sack people but its a driving force for individuals if there is the possibility. Not being able to be sacked distorts the employee/employer relationship.

I also believe that the government could outsource more. Take social welfare offices as an example. If the budget is €100m to run this they should put it to tender and say to private sector please provide the same service for €50m a year. They would get multiple bids.