Government, nothing to do with me...? Not Any More. #WhyProtest

I used to feel this way. I would get on with my day to day stuff like anyone else, and all that complicated arguing and running of the country is left up to the people who get paid to deal with it.  

We put up with a lot from them though, because we are trying to get on with our own lives and we don’t want to sacrifice the little bit of free time we get after work and parental responsibilities. And thats the way most of us operate, with no sense of connection to the constitution that governs the standards and rights by which we live. We take it for granted that it will be honoured by those we pay to do the job.

Now I am starting to feel different. I feel a slowly growing sense of responsibility to defend Ireland’s constitution, because it is being trampled on. It is the rights by which I live and it is not being honoured by those tasked to honour it. The only people that can do anything about this is me, and you. Ordinary people.

I realized that when Austerity is planned for at least 2 generations meant that it would directly impact the quality of life for my daughter and her chances of getting a good education or access to decent healthcare.

I realized it also, when the contracting economy started making it directly more difficult for me to get on with living my life, like with a 14% unemployment rate, and property tax and more.

Angry Cynical Pessimists, used to really annoy me. Now I understand them, even though I stay optimistic. They care a lot, and don’t see how standing can change anything.

I can guarantee you though, if we do nothing it will just get worse. The government has proven their main concern is business and not citizens. Their main concern is satisfying EU directives at the direct expense of the people of Ireland. And that is wrong. I am only one person but just as in voting, i have a right and a responsibility to be that one voice, and hope that others join me. If enough of us stand resolutely and unwavering, then we are the living embodiment of our nation, and they have no choice but to listen to us. The only power they have over us is the power we give them, and as we see in Egypt, that power can be taken away, not by force but by solidarity and strength of voice.

That was when I realized that it was time for me to get involved. I will only participate in a way that works with my conscience. I am not a violent protester, and I don’t wish to be confused with terrorism, or looters, or rioters, I am just adamant and stubborn and will not stand down.

I will voice my dissent at the direction this country is being led in. I don’t believe it is merely enough to vote for the other guy, because they are all in a system that is broken. The system can’t change until Irish citizens demand a different one.

The rules at the top don’t have to be complicated. We are the nation and we say enough, no more, the line is drawn. Come in numbers on Wednesday, from 3pm til late. Come after school or work. In front of the Dail, on Kildare Street. Find a Bus, or a Train or even stand with your bike, on the 10th of July, we stand again. And we will stand again after that. This is a movement, and will not quit. Voice your unwavering answer to austerity with a simple stand, we will not budge, there will be no more austerity on our watch... Those committing criminal acts and abusing the power they were entrusted with should face justice and be brought to task, not for revenge but because it is right that they should pay for their crimes.

Follow the movement on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IrishStandingProtest and Twitter on these 2 accounts https://twitter.com/StandingProtest and https://twitter.com/BooktheBankers and take a stand. Make time to show that you are through putting up with this and show the TD’s that work for you that you are willing to at least Stand, and hold a book that speaks volumes to you and inspires you to be there.