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To vote or not
Opinion: Time to determine if we sink or swim.
Why should I vote? Recently I have begun to think long and hard about this. I mean, what has it got to do with me? Sure that stuff is all do with the big men in suits. The only politics I ever come in contact with is the local councillor (God bless him!) who trains the parish under 16 boys GAA team. Appealing? I think not. But recently I came to this conclusion: As a nineteen year old female student and citizen of The Republic of Ireland, it is my constitutional right - nay my duty, to vote in this upcoming election.
Let me use an analogy, the people of Ireland are like vulnerable children at the hands of an abusive, careless and corrupt bully that has emptied our pockets for lunch money for far too long.
First, there was the infamous godfather of this thriving rat pack Haughey... remember him? Or have we forgotten again how he led this country? Then we had Bertie; ah Bertie the people’s man, the everyday man, pints of Bass at Fagan’s and holidays in Kerry. God, he could have nearly been your auld man.... ha-ha yeah right! Well I don’t know about you, but my daddy never left brown envelopes lying round the house.
Once again in 2007 though, the Fianna Fail bandwagon knocked on our doors and managed to win us over on to their side one more. It seemed that the government of Fianna Fail was like being stuck in a really hot bath; half way through you long to get up, but you’re just too comfortable and stagnant in your filth.
So again, why should I vote? Well, I am the future for this country and so are my friends. This generation is not going to let our government continue to carry on slipping hands under conference tables for dodgy land deals with fat cats or to mark their territory with prime land developments, which cripple the buyer. We will not support a party that protects a select minority, while making cuts to services for the most vulnerable at a time of need.
We had the biggest financial bubble ever, let me repeat that word, BUBBLE! It was always going to blow up in our stupid faces! I could go on more about Fianna Failure, but why rehash what has been said countless times? We talk the talk, but can we walk the walk? Many may argue that we were hugely successful during the Celtic Tiger, but really only a select few rode on the back of this beast. Most of us lived in the clutches of its jaws until it swallowed us whole and then died.
When the Fianna Fail footmen arrive at your door, turn them away. When they arrive like a rejected ex, turn them away. Instead, prepare yourself to make a very important decision on the 25th of February, one that will determine if we sink or swim.
We are perched on a burning deck and many say it is too late to save the wreckage. Well, I believe we have a perfect opportunity to save what’s left. So let’s dust ourselves off and start again.
On the 25th of February, use your vote. You know what they say “Shame on you if you fool me once, shame on me if you fool me twice.”
By: Sorcha Corrigan
