Do you bother to vote?

[FarmerD]

Remember you still have the right to vote left,the Tories have not sold that yet,please don,t waste it!We more than most need our precious National Health Service back!!!D.

[medow]

If I didn't vote, I would be haunted by past relatives who did so much for the 'working classes' couple of them where black listed and one even spent time in prison, so in their memory I always vote, one great aunt fought for my right to vote, we must safe the Nhs x x

[eastridingbigden in reply to medow]

well said medow we need to fight for the health service all that needs doing is to tax the rich 1p or 2p more and we will have all the money we need

[Sohara]

I live in a 'safe seat' area so I know my vote will make no difference,( I support the minority party in our area) but I always vote...especially now that it can be done by post, but even when you had to go to the polls

Women fought hard for the right to vote...and I feel I would betray them by not using my vote.

Besides which I am interested enough in what happens in our country to try to help improve it

[SecondLife]

I never used to until I started working in Local Government and became interested in what they were doing with our money, I am also sad enough to read the manifesto that is put out. I agree we need to save the NHS and will vote accordingly but it is a far deeper problem than just the NHS.

[Suzy6]

I will be down that Voting Office early to put my little crosses. I think it is combined MEP and Council here. I'm proud of all the women who fought for us to have the vote and would never let them down. As for who???? They are all pretty useless. Wouldn't trust any of them with our precious N.H.S.

[Hidden]

I always vote but am very cynical about all politicians. Mine is a safe seat too but every little opposition counts! I also think of the suffragettes who suffered for our right to vote - they were very brave women. xx

[cofdrop-UK]

Yes I absolutely do bother to vote. Many people fought and some died for us to do so. My problem is the same as Suzy's i.e. who to vote for! Always been left wing and could never vote tory but since TB's time I have become disillusioned. Our local councillors for years were lib dem and were brilliant. Unfortunately they were booted out in the last local elections, I think as a protest at the general gov decisions within the pact. The labour councillors here are useless, and one in particular is so rude, there is no way I would vote for them. But the general election well ??????? not gonna be tory, not gonna be lib dem and I'm disillusioned with labour......

cx

[medow in reply to cofdrop-UK]

I always think of TB as Tory lite, !

[FarmerD]

Fantastic,I,m so glad you are all so aware of the importance of our little crosses and the sacrifices made in the past by so many so that we may have our democracy.I hang to the left,as can be seen when I wear the kilt(I wear red underpants lol).I don,t think Scotland should split from England and I also think we need to stay in Europe,safety in numbers in an unstable world.I,m not campaigning,just letting you know I,m a left wing sweaty sock,thanks for all the replies and enjoy exercising your democratic rights.D.

[Dragonmum]

People down the centuries have fought and died for our right to vote, not to do so is to fling that gift back in their faces, we women especially owe that loyalty to those who fought so hard in the teeth of violent opposition. I just wish there was a box on the voting slip labelled "None of the Above" and "Please state reasons" It would have to be a big box. I've always been involved since my teens and I remember canvassing so well. One lady came to the door and when asked if she would be supporting us said "I'll go and ask my husband"! Which she did and we heard him shout "Tell them to b*g**r off" She came back and said "Yes, he said we'll vote for you". Happy days

[Suzy6 in reply to Dragonmum]

My husband wouldn't dare say that to me Dragon. Our neighbour works at our Polling Station and my hubby had them all in fits of laughter. He came into my booth and said "who are you voting for" loudly. I sent him away tail between his legs.

[helingmic]

I certainly bother to vote. I shan't vote for any wacky party.! Mind you some of the conventional parties can sound pretty wacky too in their claim. Better try my best to have someone that's good (is that still possible?)

[onamission]

The problem we have with the NHS is we are paying for people to have boob jobs, bariatric surgery at £8,000 plus when did you last see a smoker on the lung transplant list.

We also have bed blockers most hospital car parks have skids to prove my point then we have the people that Atos should be after the people who go to the GP they get sent to the hospital for scans blood tests the list is endless and it is these people who are getting high rate DLA & ESA.

The labour party when last in government placed sanctions on the NHS and it is these sanctions that have brought the NHS down where it is now on its knees the sanctions work like this. Each person walking through the doors of the A & E department is allocated a sum of money but it costs each hospital the sum plus much more to treat this person.

Our hospital had a PCT on the board was a local labour councillor being paid £8,000 per year for sitting on the board this LOCAL COUNCILLOR lived in Tenerife.

I do believe the NHS is in the state it is because people take advantage the sanctions made by the labour party. x

[MrFlicks in reply to onamission]

I never knew this - LOL makes my reply below sound silly now and makes me think twice about voting Miliband's labour party in now to, so I might just stick to opting out of voting as I have always done as I can't find anyone that makes enough sense to vote for...

[onamission in reply to MrFlicks]

Hi MrFlicks these people what ever party they are from don't always like to admit what they have done but always blame the other party. I read a article the guy who set out the rules to reform the benefit system was a member of the labour party and it gave Atos a licence to do what they want this is why Atos often send people in a comma letters saying they are fit for work or ask can you move an empty box it was also a licence to print money.

Since Atos were given the long and very lucrative contract they have attacked the vulnerable people like us this is why we must also sign Plumbobs petition we also need a petition saying we want to be awarded benefits automatically and if I was able I would do one.

[katieoxo60]

I am another one who always votes, can't complain if we don't vote. But who do we vote for when all the manifestos sound similar, then when they get in everything changes. I agree just a penny or two from the more wealthy would help the economy vastly. More frugality by the MPs on expenses would also help. We need services and NHS not second homes and fancy holidays at tax payers expense. That's my democratic opinion anyway. Sorry don't usually comment on politics

[MrFlicks in reply to katieoxo60]

My Dad told once told me always walk away from and avoid conversations about religion, politics and football as they always end up badly.

I have never talked politics wiht anyone prior to this thread other than with my wife and already wish I had never posted as I don't even class what we live in a democracy as others do LOL

[katieoxo60 in reply to MrFlicks]

See your dad was right, these subjects are very emotive and everyone's got different opinions which always cause dispute. Thanks for the reply shall we avoid this subject in future and follow your dads advice? (smiles)

[MrFlicks in reply to katieoxo60]

I think I might Katie as as it's certain Religion and Politics are dangerous subjects and as for football well... BTW so you know you can do a smiley by using : followed by )

as when next to each other they show up as smilies, just in case you didn't know

[hufferpuffer]

I vote by post, got it this morning and yes I always do vote,I am grateful for the opportunity! every little tick counts!! xxx

[BattyMumma]

I always vote. I don't see how you can complain about the government when you've had your chance to choose it and did not bother? Even if I have chosen the best of a bad bunch I still had my say.

[vittorio]

Absolutely ! Italy is virtually Bankrupt and Britain is going much the same way for the ordinary folk - another country ruled by multi millionaires - yes, we may be "Coming " out of the recession, but NOT for ordinary folk. The Government MPs when sick always GO PRIVATE - so we must defend the National Health Service at all costs , so get them out in 53 weeks time I say ......

[FarmerD in reply to vittorio]

Well said Vittorio,it is true there is not much to chose between the different parties as they want to be all things to all men.The Labour Party of which I am a member and have been for many years,leaves a lot to be desired but it is the nearest thing we have to an electable left wing party and I feel the only party to defend the NHS and less well off people generally.D.

[MrFlicks]

Why people believe we live in a true democracy is astounding!

A democracy uses "Lot's" not votes.

Voting systems like our's in the UK are Oligarchal in their systems set up hence why things are the way they are and you can see this if you read the Wikipedia page on Oligarchy to see it describes our system, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliga...

Though saying that if one looks at what a democracy is on Wikipedia it does not tell the truth as a real democracy is called a Sortition en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorti... and is how the rule for the people by the people was done in the original "democracies".

However as uselss as voting has always seemed to me I am tempted to vote Labour as Ed Miliband comes across to me as a quite decent and fairly honest guy as far as politicians can be honest. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Mi...

The fact his mother was a Polish Jew who survived Hitler and his evil and I grew up next door to Polish Jews who also escaped Hitler's Nazi's might perhaps be a reason why I somewhat warm to Mr Miliband.

The way we are being treated presently feels rather like we are living under ever more Nazi like oppression that seems to be getting worse and needs stopping and so perhaps given his history he is the man to do it...

[FarmerD]

Well I never!

[pergola1]

Yes, I should vote!! But who for? I need to really vote for someone I can believe. I have just moved and need to register myself and husband in the new area. I am wondering whether it is good policy to vote for the local MP (both of which I liked - both where I lived before and now in New milton), rather than the "one in charge"