Would you vote if you had absolutely no idea about politics?

Hammer89 · 11-02-2016 08:14PM #1

Everybody over the age of 18 is eligible to vote, but should they?

Personally, I've never voted. I was shamed by a family member for this in recent days, but I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not ashamed because the reason I don't vote is quite simple: I have absolutely no idea who the f*ck any of these people are, or what their parties do.

You might think I'm playing dumb - I'm not. I know as much about Fine Gael as I do about spending time in a Russian gulag. I lack knowledge and understanding of Irish politics at a very, very basic level. Because of this ignorance, I prefer not to vote rather than walk into the voting place blindfolded and effectively take complete guesses. This doesn't benefit Ireland. It's a wasted vote in my view and that's why no party will be getting my vote.

Is this wrong, or should I vote simply for the sake of voting? Voting because you think it makes you some sort of upstanding citizen is what I don't understand. To me, it kind of defeats the purpose, but I would like to know the opinion of others.

Conall Cernach · 11-02-2016 08:19PM

How can any adult function in Ireland without at least a basic understanding of Irish politics? What do you talk about at work?

fleet_admiral · 11-02-2016 08:30PM

The sad thing is, a lot of people in this country have NO idea about politics/voting etc...

johnnyryan89 · 11-02-2016 08:34PM

Conall Cernach wrote: »

How can any adult function in Ireland without at least a basic understanding of Irish politics? What do you talk about at work?

I'd guess they talk about work maybe or sports or the weather. Lots of things to talk about really.

drunkmonkey · 11-02-2016 08:36PM

I'd vote Mattie McGrath if I hadn't a clue, love the way he wobbles Mr Jelly Kelly

OldMrBrennan83 · 11-02-2016 08:36PM

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Conall Cernach · 11-02-2016 08:37PM

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

I'd guess they talk about work maybe or sports or the weather. Lots of things to talk about really.

I don't think I've ever gone a day without someone giving out about one political party or other.

kfallon · 11-02-2016 08:41PM

Conall Cernach wrote: »

I don't think I've ever gone a day without someone giving out about one political party or other.

The people you interact with must be some boring cúnts :pac:

Jack Killian · 11-02-2016 08:41PM

Hammer89 wrote: »

Everybody over the age of 18 is eligible to vote, but should they?

Personally, I've never voted. I was shamed by a family member for this in recent days, but I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not ashamed because the reason I don't vote is quite simple: I have absolutely no idea who the f*ck any of these people are, or what their parties do.

You might think I'm playing dumb - I'm not. I know as much about Fine Gael as I do about spending time in a Russian gulag. I lack knowledge and understanding of Irish politics at a very, very basic level. Because of this ignorance, I prefer not to vote rather than walk into the voting place blindfolded and effectively take complete guesses. This doesn't benefit Ireland. It's a wasted vote in my view and that's why no party will be getting my vote.

Is this wrong, or should I vote simply for the sake of voting? Voting because you think it makes you some sort of upstanding citizen is what I don't understand. To me, it kind of defeats the purpose, but I would like to know the opinion of others.

I'd admire this. Yes, it would be better if more people checked things out and helped ensure that Ireland got better and more accountable governance, but the main reason we need that is because far too many people vote without thinking for themselves, following a pathetic family allegiance, or for themselves, with the likes of O'Dea or Lowry sorting their medical card or planning permission.

So if you don't know what you're imposing on yourself and the rest of us, don't vote. I voted a certain way last time out and am sorry I did - looking forward to correcting the error this time.

The only downside of that would be that if by not voting you let some slimy fecker in that you me vote could have kept out.

The Backwards Man · 11-02-2016 08:41PM

In my experience, people that don't vote have no qualms about moaning and whinging about 'the gubberment' at every opportunity.

Voting should be compulsory imo.

OldMrBrennan83 · 11-02-2016 08:44PM

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fleet_admiral · 11-02-2016 08:44PM

I wonder will all the people who voted in the so called 'Equality' referendum be as quick out of the traps this time round?

Jack Killian · 11-02-2016 08:47PM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

In my experience, people that don't vote have no qualms about moaning and whinging about 'the gubberment' at every opportunity.

Voting should be compulsory imo.

Unfortunately it would be a "least worst" choice most of the time. And it would probably result in begrudging voting where the biggest eejit/crank got a #1

Admittedly we get that anyway. But it would make it worse.

KingBrian2 · 11-02-2016 08:47PM

fleet_admiral wrote: »

The sad thing is, a lot of people in this country have NO idea about politics/voting etc...

Who's fault is that? People have to take time to inform themselves and if they don't care their entitled not to vote. We are not like Australia or Belgium which expect compulsory voting. Let people chose for themselves, if they don't care not my concern.:pac:

11-02-2016 08:48PM

Trouble with Ireland is we don't have anyone who can stir it up like Donald Trump!
He's a mental case, but he knows how to appeal to a vast amount of people.

The Backwards Man · 11-02-2016 08:49PM

Patww79 wrote: »

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It's more like being asked do you want more services or to pay less tax every five years and you go 'yeah, whatever, not buvvered like, all the same ra ra ra' and then come crying to us when you're paying 75% tax and can only get a post office open for three hours on a Thursday afternoon.

Jack Killian · 11-02-2016 08:49PM

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Trouble with Ireland is we don't have anyone who can stir it up like Donald Trump!
He's a mental case, but he knows how to appeal to a vast amount of people.

Enda ? Well, bar the stirring.... and the appealing....

OK, as you were...

fleet_admiral · 11-02-2016 08:50PM

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Trouble with Ireland is we don't have anyone who can stir it up like Donald Trump!
He's a mental case, but he knows how to appeal to a vast amount of people.

Ming?

Speedwell · 11-02-2016 08:50PM

Conall Cernach wrote: »

How can any adult function in Ireland without at least a basic understanding of Irish politics? What do you talk about at work?

Hey, I married an Irishman and moved here from Texas a couple years ago. I didn't marry him because I was an Irish politics wonk. At work, we talk about work. I'm especially frustrated because my politics align with parties that have OTHER politics that I wouldn't touch with someone else's ten-meter pole. It's moot this year because I don't qualify to vote at all, but no, no, NO, NONONONO, I would not vote in an election I knew f-all about, any more than I would buy a house without looking at it first.

XplaygirlX · 11-02-2016 08:50PM

No. I'm not ar$ed about votin. Never was and never will be. Ive no instrest in politics. Never did. So don't care

OldMrBrennan83 · 11-02-2016 08:50PM

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jackwigan · 11-02-2016 08:53PM

Imagine if you were denied the opportunity to vote, if you had zero say.

You might feel differently about it then.

The Backwards Man · 11-02-2016 08:55PM

Patww79 wrote: »

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The best argument against democracy is a five minute discussion with the average voter
*bangs head off desk*

Speedwell · 11-02-2016 08:56PM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

The best argument against democracy is a five minute discussion with the average voter
*bangs head off desk*

The way I usually put it is, "no matter who gets elected, a politician takes office".

OldMrBrennan83 · 11-02-2016 08:57PM

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OldMrBrennan83 · 11-02-2016 08:57PM

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jackwigan · 11-02-2016 08:58PM

Speedwell wrote: »

The way I usually put it is, "no matter who gets elected, a politician takes office".

Who am I supposed to vote for? The Democrat who is going to blast me in the ass? Or the Republican who's blasting my ass

Zaph · 11-02-2016 08:58PM

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Trouble with Ireland is we don't have anyone who can stir it up like Donald Trump!
He's a mental case, but he knows how to appeal to a vast amount of people.

I, like most people I reckon, would not see that as a problem.

shanered · 11-02-2016 08:59PM

If you don't have a clue who to vote try something like this:

http://smartvote.ie/

It'll show which politicians are most in line with your thinking on some issues, worked out pretty much in line with what I was thinking anyway...

Speedwell · 11-02-2016 09:01PM

jackwigan wrote: »

Who am I supposed to vote for? The Democrat who is going to blast me in the ass? Or the Republican who's blasting my ass

Depends how you feel about your ass, I suppose. The good thing about realizing that it's a game you can't win is that you can at least preserve your dignity by voting for the candidate that keeps the worst lot out.

OldMrBrennan83 · 11-02-2016 09:02PM

This post has been deleted.

Would you vote if you had absolutely no idea about politics?

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