March 11th..Please,Please,Please get out and Vote .

Leiva

Speaking to a lot of people over the past couple of weeks about the upcoming GE it seems that apathy has set in .

" Ah sure they are all the same , Im not voting "

" Whats the point "

Are some of the answers i get .

If ever there was a General Election that you vote to keep a certain party out , well this is it !

Your vote really is important and we need a strong turn out of voters to show any incoming parties that we are determined to get it right.

So I urge you ...Rain , Hail Sleet or Snow get out and vote March 11th .

If you have family or friends who seem apathetic then explain how important this election is .

M.

mikemac

mixednuts wrote: »

Are some of the answers i get .

"My candidate is going to top the polls anyway, no need"

That's another one
Often they are correct too

But a good thread

ixoy

I plan to vote, to do my bit to ensure they don't get back in.
I would be curious as to the turn out though because I do believe apathy has set in again and the lack of any standout alternatives is doing that and even a bit of "better the devil you know". Not my opinion, but I do see it happening.

Lockstep

Noam Chomsky explains the importance in voting well;

Anyone who says, “I don’t care if Bush gets elected” is basically telling poor and working people in the country, “I don’t care if your lives are destroyed …. because from my elevated point of view I don’t see much of a difference between the two candidates.” That’s a way of saying, “Pay no attention to me, because I don’t care about you.” Apart from its being wrong, it’s a recipe for disaster if you’re hoping ever to develop a popular movement and a political alternative

The only thing we need to ensure more years of mismanagement and uselessness is for people to not bother voting for the alternatives.

Please. Vote.

Plazaman

Said it before and I'll say it again, we need the students to take over the vote or the crusties will re-elect the same gobshi+es.

ironbluedun

ixoy wrote: »

I plan to vote, to do my bit to ensure they don't get back in.
I would be curious as to the turn out though because I do believe apathy has set in again and the lack of any standout alternatives is doing that and even a bit of "better the devil you know". Not my opinion, but I do see it happening.

there will be a big turn out. its pay back time.

Eliot Rosewater

ixoy wrote: »

I would be curious as to the turn out though because I do believe apathy has set in again and the lack of any standout alternatives is doing that and even a bit of "better the devil you know". Not my opinion, but I do see it happening.

There's also the "Irish people are idiots, therefore..." factor. A lot of people aren't going to make a rational choice here for whatever reason - loyalty to FF being one of the main ones. I won't be surprised if they get 25%+ of the vote; in fact, that's what I'm expecting.

johnnyskeleton

To anyone who does think "sure they're all the same" or "what's the point" etc, you will not register your disenfranchisement by not voting - you will simply be presumed to be lazy.

Equally, those who spoil their vote are almost as bad (but at least they register their dissatisfaction).

If you really want to register your dissatisfaction in a meaningful way, vote for the independent candidate who is not associated with any party and who appears to have little or no chance of success.

If 20+ random independent candidates (real independents, not Beverly Cooper Flynn or Jackie Healy-Rae) get elected, they will send a very strong message to the political parties that the people have no faith in them and that we are not just an lazy, apathetic bunch.

mcwhirter

ironbluedun wrote: »

there will be a big turn out. its pay back time.

Hope so, that is if there are any people left in the country to vote

johnnyskeleton

Plazaman wrote: »

Said it before and I'll say it again, we need the students to take over the vote or the crusties will re-elect the same gobshi+es.

No. We need everyone who can vote to vote. Students are just as bad as what you call the crusties.

Seán_B

After what I have witnessed today, regardless of where your politics lay, I think the boards.ie platform should be used to ensure that as many boards.ie users use their vote. It has never been as important.

The comtempt shown for the irish people today was simply staggering!

What's the best way to encourage people to vote??

meditraitor

Seán_B wrote: »

After what I have witnessed today, regardless of where your politics lay, I think the boards.ie platform should be used to ensure that as many boards.ie users use their vote. It has never been as important.

The comtempt shown for the irish people today was simply staggering!

What's the best way to encourage people to vote??

I was away from the interweb all morning and when I came back I hear the election is on the 11th march and at least 10 mentions of something happening this morning but no details?

What happened?

Travel is good

Everyone of voting age should vote, regardless of age. I hope all the young people vote, as it is their future. I would be more interested in voting for a candidate who has strong robust policies, and would not be corruptible.

At least now there is an end in sight and we can all help this country get back on its feet again.

Leiva

Seán_B wrote: »

What's the best way to encourage people to vote??

Put Cowans face on the FF Posters .

I am so hoping they do this .They are so arrogant I wouldn't be surprised .

Promised I wouldn't mention any party in my OP , but feck it , time to call a spade a spade .

ixoy

Seán_B wrote: »

What's the best way to encourage people to vote??

Free pint once you cast the vote. That'll encourage people. Charge it to the Dail tab.

ixoy

ixoy wrote: »

I plan to vote, to do my bit to ensure they don't get back in.
I would be curious as to the turn out though because I do believe apathy has set in again and the lack of any standout alternatives is doing that and even a bit of "better the devil you know". Not my opinion, but I do see it happening.

Following on from that pint idea...
If you feel as passionately as I do about voting this time,you will be collecting people who otherwise wouldn't vote and bring them to the polling station.
If everyone brings at least 3 people with them.

I suspect though,turnout will be greater than 60% which is a good enough expression given that 86% or more of them won't be voting FF this time.

Colmo52

The FF logo will be very small on posters.

sealgaire

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they get back in. Another deal with the greens will do it. And the greens WOULD jump at the chance

pajor

Travel is good wrote: »

Everyone of voting age should vote, regardless of age. I hope all the young people vote, as it is their future. I would be more interested in voting for a candidate who has strong robust policies, and would not be corruptible.

At least now there is an end in sight and we can all help this country get back on its feet again.

College fee increasing [insert very obscence insult], of course i'll be voting.

Liking the lack of the "sure what's the point, there all as bad as each other" sentiment in this thread

Laois_Man

I will vote - no doubt about it!

BUT, I am disheartened. I don't pay much attention to the 14% approval FF have in the Opinion Polls coz the question in an opinion poll is different to the opinion on a local ballot paper where aunty Nancy will vote for Mick Murphy coz the Murphy's are the family she knows and where she goes when she gets stuff done.

It said it all when after the last election, the PD's (RIP) were the most rejected Party in Election history - yet porportionally became the most powerful party in the Dail. The system is 5hite - but as I said, of course I will vote!

mikemac

26/05/2007 - 20:29:12
Socialist candidate Clare Daly has been eliminated from the Dublin North constituency by just two votes following a nine-hour recount.

This reverses a count last night which eliminated Labour's Brendan Ryan by eleven votes.

Read more: http://breaking.tcm.ie/archives/2007/0526/ireland/socialist-daly-eliminated-after-controversial-recount-312496.html#ixzz1BaSGYcar

I don't know much about the candidates, my post is on the numbers. This is what winning and losing comes down to, just two votes in this case.

Yes, your vote no matter whom you vote for does matter.

apollodd

Does anyone know the polling station opening times?

Thanks
apollo

De Dannan

Colmo52 wrote: »

The FF logo will be very small on posters.

will it even be on them at all

T runner

mixednuts wrote: »

Speaking to a lot of people over the past couple of weeks about the upcoming GE it seems that apathy has set in .

" Ah sure they are all the same , Im not voting "

" Whats the point "

Are some of the answers i get .

If ever there was a General Election that you vote to keep a certain party out , well this is it !

Your vote really is important and we need a strong turn out of voters to show any incoming parties that we are determined to get it right.

So I urge you ...Rain , Hail Sleet or Snow get out and vote March 11th .

If you have family or friends who seem apathetic then explain how important this election is .

M.

So we are allowed to vot as long as we dont vote FF. This is a democracy you know.

jmayo

mixednuts wrote: »

Speaking to a lot of people over the past couple of weeks about the upcoming GE it seems that apathy has set in .

" Ah sure they are all the same , Im not voting "

" Whats the point "

Are some of the answers i get .

If ever there was a General Election that you vote to keep a certain party out , well this is it !

Your vote really is important and we need a strong turn out of voters to show any incoming parties that we are determined to get it right.

So I urge you ...Rain , Hail Sleet or Snow get out and vote March 11th .

If you have family or friends who seem apathetic then explain how important this election is .

M.

Could not agree more.

ff hope there is a low turnout so that way they are not punished.
The higher the turnout the lower their percentage.

Also I rubbish this often held view that it was only old people that voted for ff.
At last GE a lot of young students, young professionals, young tradespeople voted for ff, because they actually only knew "the good times" and to them ff were the only ones associated with "the good times."
This time that vote will have turned.

It is important that people vote to show the incoming bunch that people actually do care and will put the boot in if they screw up like the previous bunch.
BTW I can't ever see them screw up as badly as the current muppets.

De Dannan

sealgaire wrote: »

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they get back in. Another deal with the greens will do it. And the greens WOULD jump at the chance

I have more chance of being elected Pope than that happenning :pac:

Flimbos

De Dannan wrote: »

will it even be on them at all

During the local elections, my local FF candidate had their party's logo conspicuously small... I'd say all FF branding will be watered down on many candidates posters.

mikemac

apollodd wrote: »

Does anyone know the polling station opening times?

Thanks
apollo

Love this citizens info site

The Minister also designates the polling period, which must be for a duration of at least 12 hours between 8.00a.m.and 10.30p.m.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/national_elections/the_general_election.html

Normally these are held around June so it'll be getting dark earlier in March, maybe the times will be extended, not sure

Laois_Man

T runner wrote: »

So we are allowed to vot as long as we dont vote FF. This is a democracy you know.

He never even mentioned FF in his poslt. Calm!

The HorsesMouth

Just want to add my two cents to this.

Anyone who says 'they are all the same' or 'its not going to effect me'....listen up.

First of all,they are not all the same. If you dont want to vote for the usual party candidates, you can be sure that in almost every constituency there is an independent running for local policies or even someone campaigning to make drugs legal.My point is, if you look, there is something out there for everyone.

Second of all...we already know that it has effected everybody.If every single person who didnt vote because they werent bothered in 2007 actually did vote...who knows where we would be today..possibly not in the mess we find ourselves in.

People may say politics is boring etc etc, but this is more than politics.Its a chance for you to have your own say on how your life plans out.We coasted along there for years in a comfort zone and now we find ourselves in the worst economic situation we have ever faced.

It doesnt matter who you vote for,whether its FG Sinn Fein or god forbid the feckin Greens! Just get out there and lets show the rest of the world that is the Irish people that are in control of there own destiny.

jmayo

T runner wrote: »

So we are allowed to vot as long as we dont vote FF. This is a democracy you know.

Well if you can come upn with logical reasons why people should vote for the party that allowed a massive property bubble occurr that resulted in:

• our three major banks and two building societies being insolvent/illiquid needing hundreds of billions of taxpayer guaranteed funds to survive,
• a jump in unemployment of 200,000,
• a massive rise in emigration,
• the creation and continuance of a health system that allows hundreds of ill patients be left on trolleys or worse still be misdiagnosed,
• the wasting of hundreds of millions on ego projects and project cost overruns on half adequate infrastructure,
• and the necessity to call in the ECB and IMF in order to stay afloat.

Now if you can come with any logical arguments why the party responsible for the above list of achievements shoudl get our votes, then feel free to try and convince the rest of us.

And please do not include mention of Lehmans, greedy public, foreigners, the opposition or fairies. :rolleyes:

Brussels Sprout

sealgaire wrote: »

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they get back in. Another deal with the greens will do it. And the greens WOULD jump at the chance

What Greens?

Plazaman

Cowen and Lenihan will probably forece through a last minute piece of legislation for a Voting Tax, a Voting Levy and Universal Voting Charge.

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

No. We need everyone who can vote to vote. Students are just as bad as what you call the crusties.

Too right JohnnyS, agree 100 of the percents that everyone needs to vote. I said that as I feel students are the target group to promote the vote for a number of reasons including apathy and as I said in a different thread, a lot of them are in College outside their home counties so rushing home to vote is not top of their priorities (only speculating - don't gang up on me students)

mcwhirter

Colmo52 wrote: »

The FF logo will be very small on posters.

In the shape of toilet paper.

mcwhirter

Colmo52 wrote: »

The FF logo will be very small on posters.

Posters in the shape of toilet paper ideally

The Volt

mcwhirter wrote: »

Posters in the shape of toilet paper ideally

Or used as toilet paper.

RockinRolla

Seán_B wrote: »

After what I have witnessed today, regardless of where your politics lay, I think the boards.ie platform should be used to ensure that as many boards.ie users use their vote. It has never been as important.

The comtempt shown for the irish people today was simply staggering!

What's the best way to encourage people to vote??

Don't worry.

As soon as a party with Libertarian social values are on the ballot paper, then I'll find it worthwhile to leave my house on election day.

T runner

mixednuts wrote: »

Speaking to a lot of people ..........If ever there was a General Election that you vote to keep a certain party out , well this is it !

.........

Laois_Man wrote: »

He never even mentioned FF in his poslt. Calm!

I think he is referring to FF, although he thanked your post so maybe he wasnt. OP can you clear that up?

jmayo wrote: »

Well if you can come upn with logical reasons why people should vote for the party that allowed a massive property bubble occurr that resulted in:

• our three major banks and two building societies being insolvent/illiquid needing hundreds of billions of taxpayer guaranteed funds to survive,
• a jump in unemployment of 200,000,
• a massive rise in emigration,
• the creation and continuance of a health system that allows hundreds of ill patients be left on trolleys or worse still be misdiagnosed,
• the wasting of hundreds of millions on ego projects and project cost overruns on half adequate infrastructure,
• and the necessity to call in the ECB and IMF in order to stay afloat.

Now if you can come with any logical arguments why the party responsible for the above list of achievements shoudl get our votes, then feel free to try and convince the rest of us.

And please do not include mention of Lehmans, greedy public, foreigners, the opposition or fairies. :rolleyes:

My argument would be that this is a democracy and that everyone is entitled to their opinion including the OP. He feels he wont vote for FF. His opinion that EVERYONE must follow his lead is undemocratic.

So you are asking me to tell you why people shouldnt vote for FF bur are oredering me not to use certain relevant arguments like teh standard of teh opposition.

Firstly I will vote for whom i like. That will be Labour. I dont have the right to tell you or others how to vote.

One question. FG predicted a 4.5 % growth in the economy if they were elected during teh last election. How could a 4.5% growth be sustained without the bubble? Either they didnt understand the economic situation or they were prepared to carry it on. In either event the situation today would be similar.

My own preferance, I wont vote FF/FG under any circumstances. I would encourage people to vote and to investigate throughly the policies of your candidates. I will neither dictate to them how to vote nor abuse them if they dont appear to vote the way i want them to vote.

Sligo for Sam

meditraitor

RockinRolla wrote: »

Don't worry.

As soon as a party with Libertarian social values are on the ballot paper, then I'll find it worthwhile to leave my house on election day.

Meals on wheeels will be delivering before then....... LOL "libertarian social values" = hans christian anderson couldnt write that.

cosmic

God damn it! I'll be in England on the 11th March. My first time in 9 years (since I've been eligible) to not vote. Of all the elections and all.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Leiva

T runner wrote: »

I think he is referring to FF, although he thanked your post so maybe he wasnt. OP can you clear that up?

I didnt want my post sounding like another anti FF rant (although that was tempting) so I did not mention any party in my post .

My personal opinions and party preferences are irrelevant in the point I was trying to make .
You could use the ethos of what i was trying to say against any party .

My point was ..please if ever we needed a country's people to move its on March 11th.
What (or) whoever we vote for in those 12hours or so we will have to live with for the most important 4/5 years probably in this countries history .

M.

Laois_Man

T runner wrote: »

Firstly I will vote for whom i like. That will be Labour. I dont have the right to tell you or others how to vote.

I would think voting for the loud Sound-byte machine (which is really only loud cos it's really an empty vessel) that is Labour is almost as bad as voting FF!

Don't do it!
That's an order!

z0oT

The fact that the 11th is a Friday will suit me quite well, meaning I can fly back the Thursday night, vote and fit in a weekend at home aswell.

T runner

mixednuts wrote: »

I didnt want my post sounding like another anti FF rant (although that was tempting) so I did not mention any party in my post .

My personal opinions and party preferences are irrelevant in the point I was trying to make .
You could use the ethos of what i was trying to say against any party .

My point was ..please if ever we needed a country's people to move its on March 11th.
What (or) whoever we vote for in those 12hours or so we will have to live with for the most important 4/5 years probably in this countries history .

M.

So you are saying that your statement that the election was an oppurtunity to "keep a certain party" out of government was not referring to FF?

I dont believe you. If not FF then which party? It is not any party as you claim it is a "certain" party. It is important that people vote. It is unimportant that they vote as YOU wish them to.

T runner

Laois_Man wrote: »

I would think voting for the loud Sound-byte machine (which is really only loud cos it's really an empty vessel) that is Labour is almost as bad as voting FF!

Don't do it!
That's an order!

Thats your (uninformed) opinion. I wouldnt be voting for FF policies thats for sure. And that excludes FG. There has been quite enough homage to billionaires and corporations in this country without voting in FF junior to continue the good work.

Same question from teh post you cherrypicked from:

FG predicted a 4.5 % growth in the economy if they were elected during teh last election. How could a 4.5% growth be sustained without the bubble? Either they didnt understand the economic situation or they were prepared to carry it on. In either event the situation today would be similar.

Can you answer this? Or is FG supporters arguments only that they couldnt be as bad as FF?

Leiva

T runner wrote: »

So you are saying that your statement that the election was an oppurtunity to "keep a certain party" out of government was not referring to FF?

I dont believe you. If not FF then which party? It is not any party as you claim it is a "certain" party. It is important that people vote. It is unimportant that they vote as YOU wish them to.

If you believe me or not is no skin off my nose.

You are hung up on one item in my post .
I have made it clear to you that FF will not be my 1st preference nor will they get and level of support on my polling card . Yet I did not say this in my OP , I asked people to get out and vote . I did not mention any party that anyone should vote for because that was not the reason behind the starting of this thread .

Corsendonk

I actually think that some of the hardcore FF voters that have turned out in all weathers in the last 50 years to vote won't turn out. I have some hardcore elements in my family and its too much beyond the pale for them to vote for another party and their so disgusted with the FF that they intend to stay at home. They dream of another Lemass!

jmayo

T runner wrote: »

I think he is referring to FF, although he thanked your post so maybe he wasnt. OP can you clear that up?



My argument would be that this is a democracy and that everyone is entitled to their opinion including the OP. He feels he wont vote for FF. His opinion that EVERYONE must follow his lead is undemocratic.

So you are asking me to tell you why people shouldnt vote for FF bur are oredering me not to use certain relevant arguments like teh standard of teh opposition.

Firstly I will vote for whom i like. That will be Labour. I dont have the right to tell you or others how to vote.

One question. FG predicted a 4.5 % growth in the economy if they were elected during teh last election. How could a 4.5% growth be sustained without the bubble? Either they didnt understand the economic situation or they were prepared to carry it on. In either event the situation today would be similar.

My own preferance, I wont vote FF/FG under any circumstances. I would encourage people to vote and to investigate throughly the policies of your candidates. I will neither dictate to them how to vote nor abuse them if they dont appear to vote the way i want them to vote.

Sligo for Sam

Ah Labour. I see you have been a busy little beaver on all the threads today, has Eamon got the comrades out on the crusade already ?

BTW I was going to give longer reply, but after reading your last line

dan_d

Corsendonk wrote: »

I actually think that some of the hardcore FF voters that have turned out in all weathers in the last 50 years to vote won't turn out. I have some hardcore elements in my family and its too much beyond the pale for them to vote for another party and their so disgusted with the FF that they intend to stay at home. They dream of another Lemass!

Well, that's ok as long as they intend to keep their mouths shut and complain about nothing for the life of the next Gov. I know there are those out there who adopt the stance of FF or nobody.Fine - but since you're making a conscious decision not to vote, I hope you're making a conscious decision to keep your mouth shut for the life of the next Gov (not you personally obviously, Corsendonk).

As for everybody else - VOTE.

Laois_Man

T runner wrote: »

Thats your (uninformed) opinion. I wouldnt be voting for FF policies thats for sure. And that excludes FG. There has been quite enough homage to billionaires and corporations in this country without voting in FF junior to continue the good work.

Same question from teh post you cherrypicked from:

FG predicted a 4.5 % growth in the economy if they were elected during teh last election. How could a 4.5% growth be sustained without the bubble? Either they didnt understand the economic situation or they were prepared to carry it on. In either event the situation today would be similar.

Can you answer this? Or is FG supporters arguments only that they couldnt be as bad as FF?

Well I shan't answer anything where the premise of the question (wrongly) assumes I'm a FG supporter. I'm not a member of, or "supporter" of any political party.

However I stand over my assertion that Labour are basically wafflers. I would give an example or 2 of their plainly ridiculous "pretend. policy's that they're actually quite good at spinning to sound quite clever. But I haven't time. Maybe tomorrow!

Mint Sauce

Everyone who can vote, needs to vote, if you are only at your registered address for the weekends or less often, ie students or people who work away from home, if you have any doubt you might not make it home, get your details updated on the register to where you live, its your right, if you want to have any say, use it.

apollodd wrote: »

Does anyone know the polling station opening times?

Thanks
apollo

7am or 8am to 10pm from memory.