Me: Can you believe Michael McDowell lost his seat?
Her: What, what, WHAT are you talking about?
Mr. Waffle: Well, sweetheart, you know there are people who make laws and decide what’s legal and illegal?
Her: Yes.
Him: Well, in Ireland they were picking people to do that and…
Me: They go and put a cross on a piece of paper beside the name of the person they want to win.
Him: Well, technically that’s a spoiled vote.*
Her: WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
Him: Anyway, this man wanted to be the boss but not enough people voted for him and now he’s not going to be working with the other people making laws in a big building, called the Parliament.
Her: Why did he want to be the boss?
Him: Well, some people do. Your mother and I wouldn’t like to be in charge in that kind of job but some people would like it.
Her (smiling): I would like it, I would like to be the boss.
No surprises there.
*Mr. Waffle on reading over this has said that I should explain that in Ireland we have a list system but one where you must rank the candidates in order of preference. Further he says that he is not sure that marking a cross against one of the candidates is definitely a spoiled vote as it may be taken as a clear indication of preference. Finally, he says that it is easy to use but hard to explain.
