History will record that it was "The Irish Election 2011" that kick started the much required "movement for action" on the island of Ireland in the 21st century.
The current politicial parties should now ponder carefully over the coming days and weeks on the results. The current key national media will also address the realities:
Most Fianna Fail voters put country before party.
Fine Gael received high percentage of protest votes of people who had no other alternative (fear of unstable government)
The high number of Votes for Independents reflecting the key need for change and providing an alternative for the future.
The number of people not voting indicating no confidence in current system and immigrants unable to vote
Let me expand on the last point. I met a number of people over the last week who told me why they would not vote. One of the key points for me was the vote for "No Confidence in Ireland when it comes to those in authority". That is to say:
*Those in power of the banking system abused their power
*Those in power of the Catholic Church abused their power and
*Those in political power abused their power
Who can u have confidence in?
Sunday 27 February 2011
Friday 25 February 2011
Election Day Friday 25th February 2011
My day job means I am up early before 6am in the morning. So it won't come as no surprise that I had my vote completed before 8am. But this election did give me the feeling of history in the making as far as results were concerned. So I can imagine there is a lot of anxiety amongst candidates today and tomorrow after all the efforts of volunteers and party followers over recent weeks.
My fear remains of the people who will not vote. Yesterday in a local shop in Arklow, I got talking to two people behind the counter and both highlight the tragedy and fear we all SHOULD have.
One was a local lady who will not vote because of her frustration and 'fear of voting' someone in who might do more damage. While she did not want to leave Ireland, the rest of her family do want to move to Australia. She is working and they are not. Naturally I put forward a strong case for voting, but at the same time, respected her view and circumstances. How many others like this will not vote?
The other working person in the shop was a young well motivated married man from South Africa. He was unable to vote and will be leaving Ireland before 17th March, after spending 9 years here. Both cases highlight the tragedy of the community losing good hard working people. If this is being replicated 80,000 times over the next 18 months, it is easy to see how the Irish market will continue to contract and how ......
Ireland is in Crisis.
.........and some serious questions need to be asked to the opposition of the last number of years who will now be governing the state? ....the same will go for the new opposition who also sat in the Dail over the last number of years?
These questions will be set out in this blog next week.
My fear remains of the people who will not vote. Yesterday in a local shop in Arklow, I got talking to two people behind the counter and both highlight the tragedy and fear we all SHOULD have.
One was a local lady who will not vote because of her frustration and 'fear of voting' someone in who might do more damage. While she did not want to leave Ireland, the rest of her family do want to move to Australia. She is working and they are not. Naturally I put forward a strong case for voting, but at the same time, respected her view and circumstances. How many others like this will not vote?
The other working person in the shop was a young well motivated married man from South Africa. He was unable to vote and will be leaving Ireland before 17th March, after spending 9 years here. Both cases highlight the tragedy of the community losing good hard working people. If this is being replicated 80,000 times over the next 18 months, it is easy to see how the Irish market will continue to contract and how ......
Ireland is in Crisis.
.........and some serious questions need to be asked to the opposition of the last number of years who will now be governing the state? ....the same will go for the new opposition who also sat in the Dail over the last number of years?
These questions will be set out in this blog next week.
Thursday 24 February 2011
Appeal to Fianna Fail Voters
I want to appeal to the Fianna Fail voters NOT to vote for their party. You already know the result. So you should USE YOUR VOTE to show your dismay at your party.
The way forward for the Fianna Fail party is put a large mirror up to itself. Then reform the party over the next period of time. Put the country of this island and its people before the party. I would also advise that anybody including Mr Martin should be told by its members that they and their colleagues who have served in any paid capacity in the state should act as advisers (or at least be allowed to have input) on the creation of a new FF party.
VOTE but use your VOTE to protest!
The way forward for the Fianna Fail party is put a large mirror up to itself. Then reform the party over the next period of time. Put the country of this island and its people before the party. I would also advise that anybody including Mr Martin should be told by its members that they and their colleagues who have served in any paid capacity in the state should act as advisers (or at least be allowed to have input) on the creation of a new FF party.
VOTE but use your VOTE to protest!
Tuesday 22 February 2011
Your VOTE is the Opportunity to Protest
Every vote counts! This election, more than most, will be high up on the "Elections Table of importance"; since the founding of the state in 1921. This election represents a key day for every person who can vote on Friday 25th February.
The number of people voting should reflect the "crisis" we are in. I would view a higher than usual vote as very positive and essential if there is to be real change for the future. Another important feature should be the higher than usual votes cast for "independent" candidates.
In general terms, we will have the same people in the Dail after Friday. That is to say the failed opposition will now be the new government of Ireland. It is important to point out that all parties who sat in the current Dail failed the people of Ireland.
It is important for the voters and people of this country to realise that the failed opposition will do their best and I for one, hope and will want to believe that they can out perform themselves with the tasks and decisions that lay ahead. However one thing I am certain about is that they will NOT be able to bring the change and reform required by the people and the country at grassroots level.
Why?
Because the existing political parties cannot put country, people or national interest before their party. It is the same political parties and faces that will make up the majority of the Dail that was there when the crisis started.
There is a solution and there is a way forward.
Now the people must use their protest vote.
The number of people voting should reflect the "crisis" we are in. I would view a higher than usual vote as very positive and essential if there is to be real change for the future. Another important feature should be the higher than usual votes cast for "independent" candidates.
In general terms, we will have the same people in the Dail after Friday. That is to say the failed opposition will now be the new government of Ireland. It is important to point out that all parties who sat in the current Dail failed the people of Ireland.
It is important for the voters and people of this country to realise that the failed opposition will do their best and I for one, hope and will want to believe that they can out perform themselves with the tasks and decisions that lay ahead. However one thing I am certain about is that they will NOT be able to bring the change and reform required by the people and the country at grassroots level.
Why?
Because the existing political parties cannot put country, people or national interest before their party. It is the same political parties and faces that will make up the majority of the Dail that was there when the crisis started.
There is a solution and there is a way forward.
Now the people must use their protest vote.
Saturday 19 February 2011
Irish Election 2011
My name is David Egan.
Personal
I was born, educated and working in Dublin up to 1985, when I became part of the estimated quarter of million that left during the ‘80s. I returned to Ireland at the end of 2002 and live in a new housing estate in Co Wicklow.
Politics
I am not a member of any political party but like the majority of people, I appreciate my democratic freedom and understand the importance of the vote. I have usually attempted to vote for the best candidate in the area that I lived rather than the party. The exception to this was the period of years when I lived abroad and was unable to vote (despite the fact I wanted to). On some occasions, I travelled home to Dubiin for the sole purpose of voting.
Between 2008 and 2010, as the Irish crisis deepened and we the public became more aware of just how serious the situation was, the political parties threw themselves into party politics rather than focus on the solutions required to get us through the crisis. This for me was the last straw. I lost all confidence in the current party political system.
However I also know that the gap between the people and the political system has grown to such a degree that the politicians do not really appreciate the anger and the appetite for real change and overhaul of our society. People do talk about “we need a revolution” but it is not in the traditional sense of “people on the street” and barricades. Its actually more dramatic then this! ....as it involves a lot more than a change of system. It is more than getting people involved again in their community and politics. It is a new thinking and approach within society that meets our current and future needs.
I regard the huge number of independents and smaller political groups like “New Vision” as one part of a major movement taking place. Fascinating is the fact that mainstream media both publishing, TV and internet have not yet reflected this thinking or movement. There are examples of course, eg New Ireland series of articles in the Irish Times, Charlie Bird hitting the streets of Ireland this week reflected the dept of indifference but also the hunger for real change.
Forthcoming Election February 2011
Most people will use their vote as a protest vote. My main concern is the people who may not vote. It is crucial that this election sees a high vote and the people who do not want to vote for any of the traditional parties on this island should VOTE for an INDEPENDENT candidate in their area. It is my understanding that we have the highest number of independents standing in this election since the founding of the state, reflecting my views above.
Media Coverage
There has been no innovation or creative thinking by the media on how to reflect the person on the street or how to give coverage to the high number of candidates who are not from the traditional parties. As a result of this, the debate and current Irish Crisis has been treated in quite a lame way, dare I say, not really the reality of the situation or the crisis.
So what's Next?..................
Personal
I was born, educated and working in Dublin up to 1985, when I became part of the estimated quarter of million that left during the ‘80s. I returned to Ireland at the end of 2002 and live in a new housing estate in Co Wicklow.
Politics
I am not a member of any political party but like the majority of people, I appreciate my democratic freedom and understand the importance of the vote. I have usually attempted to vote for the best candidate in the area that I lived rather than the party. The exception to this was the period of years when I lived abroad and was unable to vote (despite the fact I wanted to). On some occasions, I travelled home to Dubiin for the sole purpose of voting.
Between 2008 and 2010, as the Irish crisis deepened and we the public became more aware of just how serious the situation was, the political parties threw themselves into party politics rather than focus on the solutions required to get us through the crisis. This for me was the last straw. I lost all confidence in the current party political system.
However I also know that the gap between the people and the political system has grown to such a degree that the politicians do not really appreciate the anger and the appetite for real change and overhaul of our society. People do talk about “we need a revolution” but it is not in the traditional sense of “people on the street” and barricades. Its actually more dramatic then this! ....as it involves a lot more than a change of system. It is more than getting people involved again in their community and politics. It is a new thinking and approach within society that meets our current and future needs.
I regard the huge number of independents and smaller political groups like “New Vision” as one part of a major movement taking place. Fascinating is the fact that mainstream media both publishing, TV and internet have not yet reflected this thinking or movement. There are examples of course, eg New Ireland series of articles in the Irish Times, Charlie Bird hitting the streets of Ireland this week reflected the dept of indifference but also the hunger for real change.
Forthcoming Election February 2011
Most people will use their vote as a protest vote. My main concern is the people who may not vote. It is crucial that this election sees a high vote and the people who do not want to vote for any of the traditional parties on this island should VOTE for an INDEPENDENT candidate in their area. It is my understanding that we have the highest number of independents standing in this election since the founding of the state, reflecting my views above.
Media Coverage
There has been no innovation or creative thinking by the media on how to reflect the person on the street or how to give coverage to the high number of candidates who are not from the traditional parties. As a result of this, the debate and current Irish Crisis has been treated in quite a lame way, dare I say, not really the reality of the situation or the crisis.
So what's Next?..................
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