The Bigger Picture: One of the biggest issues in this election is health. While we're focused on hospitals - an important issue involving the care of people suffering from urgent and chronic illness - what affects our health most of all is our environment. And, it is this issue that scares us more than anything.
When the environment is concerned, most of us withdraw. The concept is too big and overwhelming. Not only is it clear that our individual efforts won't make the final difference, but immense global corporations keep investing resources to convince - or at least confuse - us that their agenda is benign and the environment isn't really affected.
Unfortunately, our elected representatives often accept this to maintain corporate favour and support. This leaves the average person feeling chronically disempowered and hopeless about the situation.
Nevertheless, our health is inextricably linked to our environment. It's an issue in which only global leadership will make a real impact, and so I would go as far as to say: in this election, don't be afraid to cast your vote based on this issue. It is that important.
We are full of toxins - our bodies, land, water and food. The questions is: Does this matter? We've survived thus far, haven't we? Most of us are living to our 70s and 80s, so it can't be that bad.
However, the fact is that we are not living well. Most of us are stiff, in pain and sometimes quite ill by the time we are in our 50s, never mind enjoying the next 20-30 years of our lives. Furthermore, we have no idea what a life without toxins is like. They have become so integrated into our communal philosophy we don't really know the difference.
Some time ago, I started eating organic foods. I, like most people, didn't make the switch earlier because I felt the foods were too expensive for regular shopping and I didn't really notice a difference in taste. To my surprise, however, it did make a difference to my health.
The first thing I noticed is I started eating less, simply because the foods were heavier with minerals and vitamins and so my body was satisfied quicker.
Because I wasn't feeling munchy between meals (as I was receiving more nutrients than ever with much less food), my metabolism was saving energy, my body was getting stronger, I was losing weight and I needed to buy less food which also meant it hadn't proven as costly as I first anticipated.
Still, the greatest benefits occurred a few months later when I also undertook a digestive detox.
Do the foods we eat - and the toxins we take in - make a difference? Of course they do. If they didn't, no pharmaceutical drug would ever make a difference either.
Our bodies are made up of cells which only really understand chemical substances and reactions. The whole point of eating is to introduce needed chemical substances into our bodies. This is what digestion is: the breaking down of foods into chemical compounds for us to absorb and use to build, fuel and repair our bodies.
When we put harmful substances (toxins) in, our bodies react with those too. Whether or not we feel the effects as annoying or debilitating symptoms, they still make an impact.
It is our government policy that ultimately decides how toxic our environment will be. Government policy decides whether or not we protect our groundwater, what chemicals are added to common tap water, whether or not organic foods are available, how much they will cost, the quality of our air and so on.
Furthermore, some of the decisions our governments make in this area are reversible. Introducing genetically modified foods is a case in point.
Recently I saw the film The Future of Food (Lily Films, 2004) which was also previously broadcast by RTÉ. While I've always found the hidden agendas behind war, terrorism, secret government assassination orders, etc frightening, I've rarely been as scared as I was by the politics and consequences involved with genetically modified foods.
In particular, several points struck me. First, these foods are not being engineered to need less spraying of toxic pesticides, but indeed to be sprayed as a routine in their cultivation.
Second, the genes being introduced into these plants kill life, and so are potentially dangerous within our bodies, diminishing health and increasing instances of allergies.
Third, the mechanisms used to force the new gene into the plant's cell are taken from bacteria and viruses, and an antibiotic marker to the cell is introduced, all raising concerns for health.
Finally, these new seeds, once cultivated, cannot be controlled because they behave as all seeds do: they spread themselves be it by wind, birds, small animals or otherwise.
The most frightening thing, however, was that the US government now grants the right to patent a seed (natural or engineered). This means not only does a "company" gain ownership over every instance of that plant or planting variation, but that they control the very seeds our next generation will see, buy or access. That's scary.
A sensitivity and foresight to prioritise the environment brings with it a sensibility and value for fairness, interconnectedness and human quality of life.
These are the values that will make a real difference to building communities and nurturing our health in the future. And, don't worry, they won't make us poorer.
Our current government plans to allow genetically modified foods into Ireland after the election. Whatever power you have needs to be exercised now.