It’s reckless not to vote given colonial history

People like Gary Daly, who call on “all registered voters to exercise their right not to vote,” verge on the irresponsible (Letters, April 26).

We live in a democracy, of equal citizens, set up in the aftermath of 800 years of colonial domination. During most of that time, the ordinary people of this country had no rights.

Under the law set up by a small minority, ordinary people had, for example, no rights to own property, be educated, nor practice their religion.