The Shaming

If ever there was a time to be engaged in politics it is now. The expenses scandals, the cash for influence, the Iraq war, the credit crunch and the lies. Just so many lies. These are the reasons why so many people feel disenfranchised and are turned off but, these are the very reasons why we should be turned on to politics.

It is easy to think that politicians are all the same, and god knows they certainly try and morph into each other, and to wonder whether there is any point to casting our vote.

However, we can not be apathetic when it comes to politics. One vote might not seem like much when we are casting it but, it sends a message, it says that we care and, it it says what we care about.

The only wasted vote, even in our system, is one that has not been cast. Even if we vote for a minor party, or an independent or single issue candidate, we are telling whoever is eventually elected as our representative what is important to us. We are telling this country and those in power what matters to us.

Casting our vote is the first step in the democratic process. A process that is constantly being undermined and, a process for which countless people through history have made and, continue to make the ultimate sacrifice. Make no mistake, our votes will affect lives, not only the lives of people in this country but the lives of so many people around the world. It is no exaggeration to say that our vote could be a matter of life or death.

We should try and vote for something rather than against something. It doesn't mater if the "something" we are voting for is not going to win, what matters is that our elected representatives know what we care about, that we are engaged, that they are answerable to us and, that it matters enough to us that we are prepared to get up off our arses and to make our way down to a polling station to exercise our right to vote.

We must get our message through to those that are elected to represent us so they fully understand that they are there to represent all of their constituents, not just the ones that voted for them or, the ones that provide them with cash or free holidays. Neither are they there just to support some party machine or to feather their personal nests, they are there to represent us.

And if we can't be bothered then, we will get what we deserve and the abuses and sleaze will continue.

And lastly, It is not for the media to tell people that a vote will be wasted if we don't vote for the status quo (Labour and Conservative). They should be telling everyone that No Vote is Wasted and that Every Vote Matters.

So lets not be the ones hanging our heads in shame, lets get out there and cast our vote on may 6th

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Music

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