The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Elections. Yeah, Right...

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I cast my vote yesterday along with… well estimates run from somewhere between only 1/5 to 1/3 of the Scottish eligible voting population.

In among the main parties of the Scottish Nationalists, Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were the usual Scottish Greens, Scottish Socialists and UK Independence Party.

However, this time they were also joined by the British National Party, NO2EU - Yes to Democracy, and the Christian Party/Christian People’s Alliance.

What to do?

The idea we live in a democracy is quite laughable. What we actually live in is an elected dictatorship, which is quite different.

Besides, I’ve always had a deep distrust of politicians and authority in general. And the recent revelations many of them have been lining their pockets with dodgy expenses claims only served to reinforce those beliefs.

But there’s another side of me that believes if we don’t vote at all, then we have no right to complain when the lying bastards lie to us.

And if we don’t vote, they still get in anyway. It’s reckoned that up to 75% or even 80% of voters in Scotland won’t bother. So none of the Scottish MEPs will have any real right to say they represent the people.

It’s unsurprising so many people feel disenchanted with politics.

The problem with deciding to vote on polling day is it reminds us just how disempowered we actually are.
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15 comments

Barlinnie said...

"The idea we live in a democracy is quite laughable. What we actually live in is an elected dictatorship, which is quite different."

There is nothing more I can add to such eloquent wisdom.

savannah said...

i know exactly what you mean, sugar! *sigh* xoxo

hope said...

I've been Director of Elections in my hometown and politicians are not, by definition,lovable.

When I spoke at area high schools, I'd stand the whole class up, then whittle all the popular kids away with excuses as to why they were too busy to register or vote. I'd leave one nerd and the smart kid standing. Then I'd explain that in the US, less than 50% of those eligible even registered, about half of those bothered to vote, but it only took a little over 33% to elect a candidate. I would smile at the 2 kids standing and say,"You stay home, these people decide the future for you."

The room would be buzzing at that point! :) It wasn't an insult to the 2 kids left [most thanked me for letting them be the last standing instead of first out of the game] but an eye opener of who actually decides the future when you're too busy to bother.

I'm glad you weren't too busy. Good for you!

Eryl said...

If everyone didn't vote what would happen? None of the buggers that run for election represent me in any way.

Apex Zombie said...

Is there a "No Confidence" option?

I find that even the most upstanding/for-the-people politicians soon quickly cave to the pressure/spoils of the game.

mapstew said...

Jimmy got there before me.

Charlie said...

Politicians are merely puppets of the real people who run governments: banks, oil companies, insurance companies, and whoever else has an agenda and a gazillion bucks.

The guy who is truly upstanding and for the people, as Fat Lazy Guy notes, learns very quickly how the game is played.

Pat said...

For better or worse - this time I didn't. Sorry girls.

debra said...

Systems seem to exist to perpetuate themselves, and elected officials are the same. sigh...

Mary Witzl said...

I've got to side with Hope here and pat you on the back for going to the trouble. Still, there are times I wonder why the hell I bother to go through with voting myself. If Obama really stands up to Israel instead of going along with the program and doing what he's told, I'll be over the moon.

Kim Ayres said...

Jimmy - Glad you're back with us :)

Savannah - Group sigh...

Hope - That's a powerful demonstration of what happens when we leave it to others to vote.

Eryl - the problem is we wouldn't get a situation where no one voted. Instead we'll end up in a situation where the only people who vote have particularly unsavoury views. Et voila, enter the BNP into power.

FLG - there is no "none of the above" option, although I wish there was. But you're right, either they are corrupt before they join, or the system corrupts them.

Mapstew - you should tattoo "left" and "right" on your knuckles and cover the full political spectrum :)

Charlie - true, true...

Pat - can't say I blame you

Debra - another group sigh...

Mary - we so want to believe, don't we?

Jeff said...

well I hope things go well there...after a few days in DC last week I am more unsure thenever what the heck is going on or who is in charge.

Peace

Kim Ayres said...

Jeff - it's never going to be easy when all they tell you is what they think you want to hear

The Brokendown Barman said...

all i can say is give me your vote.
yes, vote barman, its the only way forward.
i probably wont change your life, i probably wont make a difference, i probably will fiddle expenses.
if it helps i`ll kiss babies, srtoke dogs and help old grannies across the road.

Kim Ayres said...

Barman - OK, you've got it!

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