It"s your duty to vote!

As people struggle to make ends meet (due to job losses, pay cuts or increased levies), and news of cutbacks seems never ending, there are two fields of thought as to how many will turn out on Friday to vote. Many commentators feel that the swing away from Fianna Fáil by the electorate and anger about cutbacks and the failed economy, would send people in their droves to the polling booths to make their mark against the government party. In more recent weeks, some pundits say that voters (even more so than usual) could stay at home on election day because they are too depressed or disillusioned to vote. That would be a real tragedy. Most agree that a high turnout would suggest a blood bath for FF in the polls. Regardless of the outcome, people should always exercise their right to vote. It is a crucial part of a democratic society and the more people who vote, the more accurate the result. And for those who don"t vote, who are unhappy with the result, what right have they to criticise FF or Fine Gael or any other party or candidate for that matter? What right do they have to complain about the health service, roads, schools or taxes, if they haven"t exercised the right to vote? Of course those who take the time to vote may not be happy with the result either but at least they would have had their say and contributed to the outcome. As for those who deliberately spoil their vote, why bother turning up at all? Spoiling the vote only serves to create more work in the election count centre, though it can be amusing to see political parties fighting with election officials over the spoiled votes, each trying to claim them for their own candidate in a down to the wire scenario. In tough economic times, it is more important than ever to have the best representatives sitting in council chambers, fighting for resources for your patch, and feeding your views and concerns into central government. In terms of the European Elections, never has it been more important to have strong representatives and a clear voice in Europe. We are a small country against the great powers of Germany, France and Britain and the best interests of Irish people, businesses and farmers need to be put forward strongly in Europe or we could be left behind. All those registered to vote should make it their businesses this Friday to cast their votes. It"s often said that our forefathers died for the right to vote and there are plenty who roll their eyes to heaven on hearing it. But it"s true. Not only that women fought hard for their right to vote so to sit home on Friday would be a real insult to all those who fought for our voice.