As election posters invade our country like the Japanese knotweed of campaigning, General Election 2020 talk is eating the media from the inside out, and unsolicited knocks are becoming more frequent at our doors, I once again find myself caught in the conundrum of where to place my vote. It’s the same story, different day with this old familiar predicament as it’s rare I’ll spot a candidate that has me running to the polls. In fact, as far back as I can recall and despite my deep respect for the role of a sound governing system, the Irish political landscape reminds me of the stereotypical American High School of politics. Surely, if that is the case, I’d ‘fit in’ somewhere, right?
“The whole debacle sometimes feels like being tied to a chair forced to watch a tortuous film on a loop.”
Would I not vote for the most popular? Isn’t everyone giving the team of jocks who ‘rule the school’ their number one? Collectively, they look like they have it together, but they are also relying on precisely that; the visual power of numbers. Take them apart, and it’s another story. What about the ‘bad guys’ from the neighbouring school who we fear will abuse their power if they win? It’s worth noting that both teams need each other for the rivalry. They know how to play the game and how to ‘work’ the crowd, rather than for them, unfortunately.
Maybe I could vote for the nerds who appear to have the smarts but never have the backing or the social skills, despite their awkward attempts to prove otherwise. Perhaps I could vote for the radicals, whose outlandish views are rarely supported because people seem to want change but never that much. There is always the religiously centred political group, but I don’t think I need to say any more about them. Then there are the earth-loving hippies who to be fair, have been typecast all along but who knew they would be right in the end? All that remains is those who fit no category, with the occasional independent diamond in the ruff – if you look hard enough.
The upcoming general election due to take place tomorrow appears to be no different in its display, and I’m disheartened by what I’m hearing. It’s wall to wall Fine Fáil versus Fine Gael with the exception of Sinn Féin being included in the conversation this time around. This usually drowns out the sounds of parties with fewer people, independent candidates, those with lower budgets and calls from the Greens for help to save our home which is both on fire and flooded, if we cared to listen. On that note, when it comes to the debates, I know they all want the job but shouting over one another gives me zero confidence in their ability to listen to their constituents. I’m much less likely to listen to someone if they are roaring. The whole debacle sometimes feels like being tied to a chair forced to watch a tortuous film on a loop.
“I want a country where the poor don’t suffer at the expense of the rich and where your pay packet doesn’t dictate your healthcare.”
Let me be clear when I say this does not take away from its extreme importance. I don’t suggest we minimise our exposure to the coverage. In fact, I would encourage educating ourselves, engaging with canvassers and following this with the action of making an informed vote. However, that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel disillusioned with it all so I decided to take back the power for a moment by turning off the noise and asking myself what kind of Ireland do I want to live in. With this in mind, at least I could reengage with GE2020 knowing what I am looking out for.
There is no question. I want an Ireland built on a foundation of peace, with equal rights for all. I want one of acceptance and community. I want a country where the poor don’t suffer at the expense of the rich and where your pay packet doesn’t dictate your healthcare. I want an Ireland where every single one of the 3,752 children who are homeless in this country right now gets a roof over their head, food in their belly and joy back in their hearts, and the same for 6,696 adults in the same position. I want an Ireland where those who flee their homelands for safety are welcomed here with open arms. We above all people know what it means to have to leave. And most importantly, I want us to have a land where we can achieve all of this.
The good news is, I have seen some of this in operation already. Unfortunately, not in many of the ways I’d like, such as a dramatic decrease in some of the outrageous figures we hear daily about our various crises. And let’s not forget that each number has a heartbeat. But I see it in the day to day actions of ordinary people, their philanthropic philosophies and generosity. I have watched as outdated notions were left outdated. I watched us put love first and again when we put women first. I watched Ireland lead the way in humanity with our recent referenda, and many of our ordinary citizens on the ground continue this work in their every day lives. And I want the same level of empathy and action I see in our people reflected in our politicians. I’m not clueless about the challenges they must face or the good work many of them do, it would be foolish to say all politicians do nothing, but collectively they are not doing enough. That is clear, and the difference is, they have the power to achieve this kind of work on a massive scale. We need them to step up to the plate and do it.
I hear all kinds of reasons why you should or shouldn’t vote for this person or that person if you want to make a real change or indeed why some people don’t vote at all; arguably one of greatest squanderings of the political system. I see it as a civic duty. But we seem to forget that it’s we who hold the power, not the politicians and we decide when and how we use it as well as who to hand it over to. They didn’t just pick up the country’s purse strings on the side of the road; we delegate this responsibility out to them. If we want decisions made wisely, with Ireland’s people at the core, then the buck stops with us in terms of who we deem up to the task.
“I want people-centred politics which for me, includes the earth we are standing on.”
There are a billion reasons in our overwhelming lives not to vote, but there is a kazillion more as to why we must. We have to look at those who will take immediate positive, people-centred action in the short term to tackle the growing number of crises, and those who have strategic long term solutions as well as preventative measures to avoid repeating our historical failures.
I know for me, I want to be able to look my future children in the eyes and say I used the privilege that I have of my vote – which many people in this world do not have – to make their home, their community, and their country the best possible place it could be for them to grow and thrive. I want people-centred politics which for me, includes the earth we are standing on. When you are queueing in the cold of some primary school corridor tomorrow where you have nipped in to vote, just remember, what seems like making a minimal motion with your pencil, when combined, all of our scribbles are connected to draw the bigger picture. So I ask you the question, what kind of Ireland do you want to live in?
