Despite the doom and gloom, and the anger over cuts, the bailout, and politics in general, Independent election candidate Ryan Stewart has said he is amazed that so many people have decided not to use their vote in what he describes as “the most important general election in recent history”.
“Voting is the right of every citizen of this country. While the politicians decide how we should handle the bondholders, or who will be the next Taoiseach, ordinary people are trying to figure out how they will handle their bills, and juggling their finances to keep going.
“While there are a lot of energised voters out there, there are also many who seem to have given up the ghost.”
“But people must realise that they do have a say, and that their voice does count. We have sat back for so long without wanting to upset the status quo that we have forgotten how to speak out.
“We have seen the same faces appear and reappear. We are fed up looking at them. They have had their chance, and delivered nothing.
“I am obviously trying to get as many first preference votes as I can to effect this change, and people can send a message by how they decide to vote, but if people do not use their vote, it only serves to keep those who have caused this mess we are in, to stay in power, or replace them with more of the same. It’s up to candidates like me, and others running now, to show that we are not the ‘same as all the rest.’
“Use your vote, it should not be an ‘inconvenience’ for you to have your say. It is your right and your duty. If people seriously look at what their vote stands for, we might actually get the change we all want, but the people in this county have to come out and carry this through on polling day.”
