Something a bit different and just my ramblings, pinch of salt and lemon in hand..
I try not to get too
involved in the major debates of the world as I find it hard to discuss issues
with people who have different opinions then me... a quirk I suppose.
But in
Ireland on May 22nd, we are having an equal rights referendum, about
gay marriage, and although I have no difficulty in deciding how to vote. I can’t
help feeling such mixed emotions about the whole situation.
Our country seems
to be so warped about voting, and what’s really important, equality and other
issues too.
That is a bit of a strong statement but hear me out.
Recently our country has
gone through a hard time during this recession, many have lost their jobs, are
attached to homes that are worth not nearly what they paid for them, and
probably will never get the money back when they sell. It is devastating to
know that families that were once well off, and encouraged by banks to Spend! Spend!
Spend! are now living week to week, or month to month because their house mortgage
and car loans are so excessive. And yet a lot of these people are not out
voting for a new government.
We all complain, me too although I don’t feel too
effected by all the changes right now that the country is going through.
Although every day I do
feel that there is such a divide between the classes of people, I use that term
VERY lightly. We seems to all experience very different lives although we are
all suffering in similar ways. I find it hard at times to digest the fact that
I can’t afford to go to the doctors yet others have a medical card and can go
for free. Now in saying this I am talking about the government and equality,
and not about the person.
Why is it that people who are working hard in all
ranges of jobs are paying taxes and are not directly benefiting from it. There
are people who only work 20hrs so they can actually be part of their children’s
lives, or child care is just too expensive and they don’t receive support of a
medical card. I hate that I have to pay upwards of 60e to go to the dentist and
I know my teeth need to be seen to.
And yet I’m not working right now as I’m
trying to focus on getting my degree so I can earn the big bucks, which in turn
will be taxed!
I think the Irish person
in general just wants to see where there money is really going... and by that I
mean that their money is being returned to them in some tangible way. No one minds
helping their neighbour, but what about “me” too!
Now how is this related
to May 22nd?! A very important day for Ireland, and to be honest for the
generations to come. I think no matter what the outcome is, this generation we will still have
to listen to the superficial, scraping the barrel reasons the “NO Vote” people
are spouting... But alas, they are by right allowed to canvas their side too!
But what I find amazing
is the sheer passion of the younger people of this country, the fire that is
being created, and also my fear that it will be short lived, I hope that these
young strong opinionated men and women do vote, and that it will strike a chord
in them to stand up and vote again for other important decisions our country
has to make!
We allow others to vote,
mostly the older generations, and so they have every right to have their say
whether it is for or against what is best for the modern equal Ireland, they
vote and so there opinion is technically more valid then ours, as it actually
means something.
When the over 65’s were going to lose their medical cards...
they marched and let the government know it wasn’t going to happen, and their
voices were heard.
It is the young people’s turn now!
image: http://www.marriagequality.ie/getinformed/about-children.html
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