Disillusioned
We go to the polls in our referendum on Friday.
Well, when I say “we” I mean the plain plebs of Ireland.
I said before that I would be voting “no” but I have changed my mind. I won’t be voting. I wouldn’t waste the petrol. time or energy. The political system here doesn’t give a flying fuck about me, so why should I play their silly little games?
Of course there are those who bleat that if you don’t vote then you have no right to complain at the result. That is a load of bollox, as an abstention is as valid a vote as any yay or nay. I suppose I could go and write obscenities on the ballot paper but what’s the point?
The result is pretty much a foregone conclusion anyway. The plebs will vote the way the gubmint tells ‘em to vote. I will derive some satisfaction whichever. If the Seanad is retained then the gubmint will have gotten themselves a bloody nose, and if it’s abolished then at least that John Crown fella will be out on his ear.
I have gone through phases of disgust, despair and have now reached indifference at the political system here. It is broken beyond repair and there is feck all I can do about it.
So why should I worry what colour they paint the deckchairs on the Titanic?
I read your previous post on the subject and your logic there strikes me as sound. In this post you're reasons for not voting are not strong. However as I'm a foreigner I wouldn't presume to advise you one way or the other. How far would you have to travel to the polling station?
"I have solved this political dilemma in a very direct way: I don't vote.
On Election Day, I stay home. I firmly believe that if you vote, you have no right to complain. Now, some people like to twist that around. They say, 'If you don't vote, you have no right to complain,' but where's the logic in that?
If you vote, and you elect dishonest, incompetent politicians, and they get into office and screw everything up, you are responsible for what they have done. You voted them in. You caused the problem. You have no right to complain. I, on the other hand, who did not vote — who did not even leave the house on Election Day — am in no way responsible for that these politicians have done and have every right to complain about the mess that you created."
George Carlin… And Grandad… and Me
I hear what you say as regards elections, but this is a referendum, and your vote really does count. I hear and agree with everything you say, and I respect your choice, of course, but I do think that perhaps a re-think in the context of a referendum may be required here.
Aha!
On topic for once…
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/10/01/irel-o01.html
So why should I worry what colour they paint the deckchairs on the Titanic?
That succinctly sums up the political process as it works today, GD. Bill's quote from George Carlin is also particularly pertinent. It matters not who or what you vote for, you will end up with the same incompetence and waste. I'm out of it, and have been for years. They can do what the fuck they like, it's beyond redemption anyway.
I was kinda busy today and I switch on tonight to find a cascade of comments!
It looks like I am going to have to give this some thought…….
I don't know what the latest poll results are but the last time I heard, the "yes" vote was leading by about two to one, so I doubt very much if my few votes will make much difference. I would need to cast several thousand votes and they might get suspicious?
On the other hand there is that thought that if I do cast my "no" then at least I will have the personal satisfaction at having made my mark, even if it is insignificant. Having read Bill's link above, I would be even more inclined to go down to cast my metaphorical two fingers!
There is also the thought that I could cast my vote and then go for a pint? I might need something to calm me down a bit?
I always preferred a nice light grey color for deck chairs. You can do a blue or green but then they tend to blend in with water a ship sinks.
Perhaps the Irish government do what the US government has done and shut itself down. Sounds like you folks might be better off?