Why I am voting for Michael D. Higgins for Irish president

Gaza blockade activist explains his choice in Ireland's presidential election

FIACHRA O'LUAIN,

IrishCentral Contributing Writer

Published Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 7:47 AM

Updated Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 10:18 AM

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Labour Party candidate Michael D Higgins

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Now it is late October and different poems will be recited for brave and strong Mary who will be buried this week having lost her battle to cancer on Monday. Despite the great challenges they faced in their final years I think that neither Paddy nor Mary would want people to feel sorry for them. I believe that the legacy they would really prefer to leave would be that their work be used by an Ireland finally ready to throw off our servile attitudes that sees society censor itself and curtsey before material power.

Ireland needs our poets to remind us of what is really strong and unique about ourselves and this country. After the devastation of the material boom, Ireland really needs to put poetry in power.

Michael D Higgins never forgot those of us who challenged the errors and excesses of the boom. He was there for us then, and we must be there for him on Thursday. I am voting for Michael D. Higgins. I strongly urge you to also please give him the highest possible preference on your polling card.

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GeorgeDillon | Oct 27, 2011, 12:32 AM EDT

I'd vote for Dana if I was in Ireland, as she's the only candidate who opposes the criminal strongarming of the EU. As to Higgins, he's not the worst politician Ireland has produced, but he's no more a socialost than Bill Clinton is. Higgins is a liberal, he's interested in things like abortion, he does not stand with the Irish working class in their hour of need, and indeed his own lifestyle is a million miles from that of Irish workers.

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AlunPalmer | Oct 25, 2011, 03:17 PM EDT

You mean Windscale, don't you? The only place in Britain so notorious that they had to change the name to Sellafield!

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DublinCitizen | Oct 25, 2011, 02:14 PM EDT

CanadianPat you can't vote in the election thank God or we would have McGuinness foistered on us. The horror of it!

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CanadianPat | Oct 25, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT

Nice old man and life long Labour ,but too old & his party that have turned against their own principles and sold out for power.Seems to be doting a little with repeating "this is important" over and over for every point he wishes to make when it is usally far from important!If all you want is a figerhead , and if he can make it through a full term ,fine. But if you want a President that will shake things up and push moves for the people and the entire Irish Nation ,then only McGuinness will do!

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cillowen | Oct 25, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT

MOX niks - nothing ever came of this elf's poetry.

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