What to ask the canvassers at the door?

[Quartz]

As the build up to the next general election continues, no doubt we’ll each be evaluating our grand opinion and analyses of the state of the country. Secretly we’ll all be hoping to receive a visit at home from the poor canvassers so we can bash them over the head with the latest parish-pump issue and (if you’re lucky), chase them off the doorstep with the dog after the unworthy reply.

I’d like to know 3 things:

Do people use this “service” constructively to give some feedback in the (vain) hope someone somewhere takes it on board?

Is there any form, pattern or method to constructing the list of priorities you put together in your own mind before voting – or is simply a choice either Parish pump/national or philosophical issues?

After all that, would anyone consider an ‘environmental issue’ worthy of the top of your list? And not the “Flat Earth Society” stuff; I mean energy, planning, transport – in short, sustainability issues? And if not, why not?

[the saint]

Ask them if they are in favour of free trade for third world countries.

If they are in favour of it then they are against the farmers and CAP.
If they are against it they are against the third world.

Either way you can give out about the answer

[factual]

Ask them if they are in favour of free trade for third world countries.

If they are in favour of it then they are against the farmers and CAP.
If they are against it they are against the third world.

Either way you can give out about the answer

Yes, ask about whether their party supports the Millenium agenda for increasing the share of aid as a % of gdp .

Ask what they are doing to promote economic recovery in Africa.

Ask what they are doing to redistribute income from rich to poor.

[the saint]

To me the correct answer is in favour.

But if you just want to be evil and rant at them then I think that is the question to ask.

[CookieMonster]

I always quiz them on the EU.

Unless it's Sinn Fein.

[factual]

I always quiz them on the EU.

Unless it's Sinn Fein.

What topic do you grill the Sinn Fein canvassers on?

[St Disibod]

Do people use this “service” constructively to give some feedback in the (vain) hope someone somewhere takes it on board?

I do.

Is there any form, pattern or method to constructing the list of priorities you put together in your own mind before voting – or is simply a choice either Parish pump/national or philosophical issues?

This time out: it's the parish pump for myself. My mother on the other hand lists the various issues of concern to her, and then doles out one a piece to each set of callers. I have no idea which is more constructive.

After all that, would anyone consider an ‘environmental issue’ worthy of the top of your list? And not the “Flat Earth Society” stuff; I mean energy, planning, transport – in short, sustainability issues? And if not, why not?

No. For broader issues I would rather write to the appropriate politicians during the Dáil parliamentary season or join a movement or organisation that lobbies towards a certain end.

When a group is out canvassing, maybe eight houses will bring up a given local issue. Only one random one might bring up nuclear power for instance. Therefore, the local issue becomes paramount. If you want a loftier idea to be prioritised, you need to convince several houses in your area to raise it. So I stick the issue of concern that I feel my input might assist. This time out- it's only my second time voting- I'll be focusing on my old school and I'll try and get as many houses in the area as possible to do the same.

When I care about parliamentary reform, I'll write to a senator or The Irish Times. It would be a waste of time to spill it out on the doorstep.

[CookieMonster]

I always quiz them on the EU.

Unless it's Sinn Fein.

What topic do you grill the Sinn Fein canvassers on?

I don't.

[Carrier]

A guy doing a survey on what people felt was important in terms of priorities when voting knocked on my door recently. He said he didn't know who had actually comissioned it but he said, and I agreed, that it looked like a Government thing. Anyway, it was a tick the box only job. It had the health service, immigration, the economy, housing etc etc. It didn't have anything to do with a united Ireland or the North anywhere on it. Fairly typical though. The lack of a coherent strategy for bringing about a united Ireland, which is desired by most of the people of Ireland, is what I normally use to terrorise the various hopefuls from the different parties. I also do the same to the Mormons. And the occasionally the milkman.

[sean1]

I usually don't bother asking them anything. They are usually in a rush and I usually know where they stand on everything.

I'll be voting for the GP but I'll find out if their candidate agrees with their parties stand against FG's policy of Irish being optional for the Leaving Cert. I'm not a one issue candidate mind, but I will ask him.