Vote for none of the above?

shaunsweb

I have watched the news over the past while and the unfolding disaster that is our economy and I can't help but think how we got here (through a combination of banking malpractice, dubious loans and a regulatory system that at the time was full of regulation (but no-one at the helm to steer it).

Time and again we have seen and heard how PAYE workers must share the burden and not this is being expanded to the unemployed and low income earners. Why should we be paying for a system that has failed us and has allowed certain individuals go unpunished? Contrary to belief, those individuals in the banking system & construction sector (who shall remain nameless), are gone to the wind (having declared themselves unable to pay back the money they owe, showing the irish nation the single finger salute and disappearing into the wild blue yonder in the Med/States). Not one of those business elite that took this nation for a ride will see one day in jail. And it's left to the Irish people to pick up the debt and face the music.

But what makes me sickest of the lot is hearing the righteous indignation from opposition parties who are circling like vultures (sensing blood) whilst the Green's announce they are leaving that gravy train (which is now acting like a sinking ship).

I am tired of hearing about politicians being mandated to do the work of the people. Well how about something really radical: How about a campaign to VOTE FOR NON OF THE ABOVE. Our elected elite are all as bad as one another and in listening to the 'Week in Politics special' last night, it was clear that the oppostion parties are aligning themselves in preparation for a General Election. How about the electorate demand the there is a checkbox at the bottom of the voting slip which clearly states 'Vote for Non of the Above'. It would be really interesting to see who is mandated to do what then and I for one would love to see some of these political untouchables eat a good helping of humble pie.

For once they should LISTEN

axer

shaunsweb wrote: »

...rant...

I don't get it. Why not just leave your ballot blank?

Cookie_Monster

or vote for RON

shaunsweb

axer wrote: »

I don't get it. Why not just leave your ballot blank?

If I left it blank, I think it would be regarded as a spolit vote whereas if it had a check box at the bottom to vote for Non of the Above, it would send a clear message.

the groutch

why not just vote for who you think is the best of a bad bunch.
Michael Collins, Padraig Pearse, etc didnt die just for you to effectively not vote

paddy462

FG and Labour deserve a chance. The economy was in a healthy position when they left power in '97.
I'm surprised a new party has not come along in this country. Some people won't vote Labour but don't want to vote for Fine Gael or Fianna Fail either. A new Liberal Democratic Party should be formed in this country.

shaunsweb

the groutch wrote: »

why not just vote for who you think is the best of a bad bunch.
Michael Collins, Padraig Pearse, etc didnt die just for you to effectively not vote

You have just hit the nail on the head. They are all a bad bunch (sorry to offend any readers here) But let us not forget, our elected representatives (who were previously mandated), stood by and watched the Government allow builders/developers/bankers make a shambles of our economy. And the taxpayer and the ordinary joe blogs has to pick up the pieces (under the common cry. "we must all feel the pain". They were the ones who also put their hand out and accept disportionate pay increases (or their "pieces of silver"). So why should we vote for them? What if the country en-masse, decided to Vote for non of the above. Sure it would cause a constitutional crisis but what a wake up call that would be and it surely wouldn't be as bad as the situation we are in now

paddy462

shaunsweb wrote: »

You have just hit the nail on the head. They are all a bad bunch (sorry to offend any readers here) But let us not forget, our elected representatives (who were previously mandated), stood by and watched the Government allow builders/developers/bankers make a shambles of our economy. And the taxpayer and the ordinary joe blogs has to pick up the pieces (under the common cry. "we must all feel the pain". They were the ones who also put their hand out and accept disportionate pay increases (or their "pieces of silver"). So why should we vote for them? What if the country en-masse, decided to Vote for non of the above. Sure it would cause a constitutional crisis but what a wake up call that would be and it surely wouldn't be as bad as the situation we are in now

There isn't anything stopping you or others of your ilk and disgust at what's going on starting up ye're only Lliberal Democratic Party for the people.

DS333

A new party that promised:

To drop politicians' and ministers' salaries to 90,000
To curb their expenses
To stop all pensions till they're 65
To get rid of all those extra state cars
To dump Anglo
To rescind NAMA

would get in with a landslide.

shaunsweb

paddy462 wrote: »

There isn't anything stopping you or others of your ilk and disgust at what's going on starting up ye're only Lliberal Democratic Party for the people.

Not interested in being a politician. Our current crop have made such a bad job of it that anyone else coming in would be unfortunately tarred with the same brush.

But I would like for those who are interested and are already elected, to wake up and understand that they are answerable all the time and not just when it comes to an election.

Sand

I am tired of hearing about politicians being mandated to do the work of the people. Well how about something really radical: How about a campaign to VOTE FOR NON OF THE ABOVE. Our elected elite are all as bad as one another and in listening to the 'Week in Politics special' last night, it was clear that the oppostion parties are aligning themselves in preparation for a General Election. How about the electorate demand the there is a checkbox at the bottom of the voting slip which clearly states 'Vote for Non of the Above'. It would be really interesting to see who is mandated to do what then and I for one would love to see some of these political untouchables eat a good helping of humble pie.

For once they should LISTEN

Listen to what? You've sent no message that can be understood or reacted to. Some sort of declaration of sullen rage but no precise or specific problem that anyone can present policies to solve.

I dont see it as a mature option.

The problem is the Irish electorate. The Irish political system you despise is the product of the Irish electorate and desperate to please the Irish electorate, even at the cost of bankrupting the state and consigning us to the kindness of strangers. The Irish electorate has been wholly immature in the use of their votes, supporting clientelist politics, rewarding feckless and reckless policies and rejecting any hint of moderation or restraint in the spend, spend, spend mania of the bubble budgets.

I think this "None of the above" option would simply be another symptom of the underlying immaturity of the Irish electorate. We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves, evaluate the parties polices and decide whose the best option for the country and vote for them.

EDIT - Id also note, given the whip system, its the party policies that should be much more important than the local candidates. TDs dont have a manifesto, they are whipped into voting like sheep for party policy regardless of their own opinions or views. So the actual candidates are far less important than the party policies.

Ray Burkes Pension

The only power you have over a politician is to vote them out of office.
That the only thing you can do.

On election day Fianna Fail will be busing Oap's from nursing homes to the polling stations.
If we all vote 'none of the above' they will still get in through their core vote.

Jimkil

I for one would like to see a mass movement on the social networks calling for a spoiled Vote Campaign.
No disrespect to our founding fore Fathers meant here.
Just a statement by the people that none of the parties are suitable to be in power. A spoiled vote on such a large scale would be a vote telling all the parities that we do not want them any more and its time for good old fashioned electoral reform. There is now a very good argument out there to say the devil don't know probably ain't better that devil you do know.
I for one am not happy to elect someone just because i'm making a statement against one party. This means i'm voting for a protest party who normally wouldn't get a look in. I am now doing my country a disservice which is what we have being giving out about them doing all along.
So people vote for NONE OF THE ABOVE on the bottom of you ballot slip in Jan 2011.

oscarBravo

A "none of the above" option is only meaningful if there's a mechanism behind it: such ballots need to be counted through the necessary mechanism and, if they mean that a candidate fails to reach a quota when all votes are counted, a new election (with new candidates) is required to fill the vacant seat(s).

Spoiling your vote, like staying at home, is a de facto vote for whoever wins.

shaunsweb

Jimkil wrote: »

I for one would like to see a mass movement on the social networks calling for a spoiled Vote Campaign.
No disrespect to our founding fore Fathers meant here.
Just a statement by the people that none of the parties are suitable to be in power. A spoiled vote on such a large scale would be a vote telling all the parities that we do not want them any more and its time for good old fashioned electoral reform. There is now a very good argument out there to say the devil don't know probably ain't better that devil you do know.
I for one am not happy to elect someone just because i'm making a statement against one party. This means i'm voting for a protest party who normally wouldn't get a look in. I am now doing my country a disservice which is what we have being giving out about them doing all along.
So people vote for NONE OF THE ABOVE on the bottom of you ballot slip in Jan 2011.

I second that proposal. Why whould the Irish electorate be obliged to vote for the best of a bad bunch? This country deserves better.

So the choice is clear: continue to vote along the lines of your own political beliefs (as is you right to do), decide to vote for someone else on the list, or decide to VOTE FOR NONE OF THE ABOVE. The

axer

shaunsweb wrote: »

I second that proposal. Why whould the Irish electorate be obliged to vote for the best of a bad bunch? This country deserves better.

Is that not somewhat useless stance?
You say the country deserves better than what is on offer. If there is no one else available to be elected then how can you choose someone better for the country? Why not go for election yourself if you think you can do better than those elected already?

Everyday private businesses have to choose the best candidate when hiring staff - it is very rare that the candidate would be the perfect candidate and often they are far from perfect but someone has to be choosen for the job. Why should it be any different for electing politicians?

And I will also add there are generally a good few people available to choose from - its up to you to choose the best of the bunch and if you are too lazy to spend the time to find out which that is then that is your fault. It is lazy and useless to have an option of "none of the above" as it achieves nothing.

P. Breathnach

axer wrote: »

Is that not somewhat useless stance?...

Perhaps not. It might be first step in a process where those who do not understand the significance of their vote do not take part in elections.

shaunsweb

axer wrote: »

Is that not somewhat useless stance?
You say the country deserves better than what is on offer. If there is no one else available to be elected then how can you choose someone better for the country? Why not go for election yourself if you think you can do better than those elected already?

Everyday private businesses have to choose the best candidate when hiring staff - it is very rare that the candidate would be the perfect candidate and often they are far from perfect but someone has to be choosen for the job. Why should it be any different for electing politicians?

And I will also add there are generally a good few people available to choose from - its up to you to choose the best of the bunch and if you are too lazy to spend the time to find out which that is then that is your fault. It is lazy and useless to have an option of "none of the above" as it achieves nothing.

You might call it useless. It certainly isn't Lazy and I take issue with remarks like that from someone who doesn't know me. If you want to use your vote to elect those who have led this country into this disaster, then that is your constitutional right (and no one will fault you for it). And I will do the same. We shouldn't have to put in office those you term are 'not an ideal candidate'. I wouldn't select a blind person to do brain surgery because that person was the only one who applied now would I?

If you want to insult and don't want to give a reasoned discussion, then kindly do other readers of the thread a favour and take your opinions to another forum

oscarBravo

shaunsweb wrote: »

If you want to insult and don't want to give a reasoned discussion, then kindly do other readers of the thread a favour and take your opinions to another forum

If you have a problem with a post, report it. Leave the moderating to the moderators, thanks.

Dipsy

Great idea!!

I have lost faith in the Irish voting system and to be honest I dont think I will vote but if I do I will certainly be spoiling my vote.

I dont care who gets the vote when I spoil it or dont vote, its irrelevant, the government still gets in.

The voting system, like all our politicians is corrupt!!

The Volt

It's pivotal people punish bad governance at the polls otherwise we'll continue to get it.