Let’s Get Political
Talk of Julia Gillard being sworn in as Australia’s first female Prime Minister is all the rage down under right now.
As I walked into the gym this morning, I overheard a member voice a rhetorical question with such conviction: “How can you vote for somebody who did that to Kevin Rudd?” Interjecting, I replied: “But didn’t Tony Abbott do the exact same thing a few months back to Malcolm Turnbull?” His opinion was quick to change as he concurred: ”True, true!” We got talking and both agreed that really, there isn’t a leader out of the two major parties worth voting for.
While we’re left with a choice, we must vote for the lesser of two evils at our own peril. I say this in general to highlight the fact that so many of our national politicians of late have been quick to dump their PMs in order to gain power. They’re all the same; all megalomaniacs playing the game and giving the same core promises that don’t eventuate post election.
As a citizen of generation Y, I feel I’ve become a political “atheist”. A non-believer so to speak. While it appears Australia has kept its head above water throughout the global economic meltdown, I’ve watched our country wither away in other areas and do not feel that my vote will make a difference, regardless of which box I decide to tick in a few weeks.
Can Tony Abbott be trusted when he hasn’t ruled out the return of Australia’s infamous WorkChoices? Can the Liberal or Labor party refrain from further selling off Australian infrastructure under our noses if voted in power? For instance, our coal? Telstra is gone for one, and now dominates communication infrastructure. Build a new house in a new estate and only Telstra will provide you with phone and Internet access for an uncompetitive rate. Prices are going up, electricity costs are going through the roof and I question whether this country will continue to own any assets in the future.
As for voting for Julia Gillard… is the Labour party worthy of staying in power when all it tends to do is go on a shopping spree with tax payers’ money? How about Peter Garrett’s insulation screw up or Verity Firth’s school heater funding bungle?
I don’t agree with the recent addition of mobile speed cameras placed throughout NSW roads. While I don’t condone speeding, I don’t support the Government using “high death toll” statistics on certain roads to justify placing mobile speed cameras around the state for the blatant purpose of revenue raising to pay of its debt.
I still frown upon John Howard refusing to ratify the Kyoto Protocol when he led the Liberal Party. While Labour has signed the protocol, what plan has become of it? Nothing.
When and who is going to set an immigration policy? Right now homeless and poverty stricken Australians have to wait up to 10 years for government housing, when refugees can enter the country illegally and be suitably housed. There are legal ways for immigrants to enter this country.
At the end of the day we must vote for a party based on its policies, not for the person who leads it. Unfortunately, both Labour and Liberal policies currently do nothing for me. I believe in balance and some parties are way too conservative or too leftist for my liking.
Nobody for president. Let’s just live in anarchy. (No, really. I’m just being facetious). I don’t claim to be a political expert. I just feel that we all should be able to discuss politics in a mature manner so we can make an educated choice when it comes to compulsory voting.
PS: The boundary pushing zombie painting I used for this post is by Texas-based artist Grayson Castro. I’m intrigued by his latest series. Although it features his usual bloodied somnambulist friends starring on canvas, his work has taken a predominately political turn. Think President Obama and Martin Luther King sadistically devouring ex-President Bush, or John McCain chomping on a baby’s limb. I think the implication is that all politicians are monsters.
I have to agree Mishy. Trying to pick someone to vote for is so hard as I cant agree with one major party or the other on all their policies. To me there are good and bad points in each parties policies on the same topic. Who will I vote for?? An independent??
And yes, we must be able to debate and discuss politics in a mature sensible manner.
I really enjoyed reading this as you put into words what I have been thinking about this upcoming election.
Got any view on voting green lovely? Their ads atm seem to be the only one I don’t cringe at.
Good points, guys.
Kel – I think the Greens have some great policies on human rights and the environment, but like other parties, I don’t seem to agree with every single policy.
I must say I think for an independent senator it’s cool Nick Xenophon has proposed a bill to amend tax laws which specifically addresses the issue of tax exemptions for organised religions.
There isn’t one party that I support in 100% of everything they say.
I like many things from different parties, but the one I seem to possibly like the most is The Greens. I don’t support all their policies 100% but I do like more of what they are about compared to the others. They just seem to be a more kind party (which I think is what we need more of – hate and not caring I find to be a bit depressing at times), and look at things in the future and things around us, rather than just looking inwards at one’s self at the here and now.
As for choosing between the two major parties? Again.. things I like in them both, and I don’t support one or the other strongly, but when I have to choose who I seem to perhaps prefer, or find the least worst in quite a few cases it is Labor. These days not so much, I was caught up in a bit of the Rudd-fever with Kevin 07, thinking he was going to be the answer to so much, but because of this or that, it didn’t end up turning all out according to plan for whatever reason. Felt sad for poor Ruddy when he was deposed as leader without any real prior warning, but with a choice of Gillard or Abbott… I I still highly prefer Gillard at the moment.
Also with regards to Tony Abbott knocking down Turnbull.. I think it a bit different to what happened with Ruddy and Julia, as Ruddy was an elected prime minister, whilst Turnbull was opposition. Bit of a difference there, and opposition leaders can change whenever really, but the elected Prime Ministers don’t really change all that often so quickly and without much notice.
As to the campaign I think this is the first election in a while I haven’t been all that involved with. Well I have and have been watching and reading whatever I could really, but I mean.. it has all been a bit lacking. Not exciting. The Liberals message just seemed to be that they’re not really going to do much, just stop things and seemed to think the most important issue in the world was the ‘boats’. As if like I need to be so stressed and worried about them, and the ‘boats’ are keeping me awake at night, that the only way I’ll ever get rid of this stress regarding the ‘boats’ is to make sure I vote Liberal. None of that is exciting or really forward thinking. It didn’t get me hyped, or looking forward to the future. They’re not offering anything new or progressive with their main messages, just about stopping things.
Whereas Labor were a bit more forward thinking at least with the NBN (National Broadband Network), and they seemed also to have more of a message about health, education, and jobs. A bit more of something rather than just Liberals message of ‘stop’ and ‘cut’. The environment wasn’t really a major issue though by either Liberal or Labor, and in some instances that could explain the Elephant that followed on the campaign trail and the great vote the Greens got in this election.
Now as to the hung parliament we now seem to have.. kinda shocking really, but in some cases not all that much so as the campaign was a bit dull I thought. Not much exciting vision coming from either of the two major parties. The thing is some people think that this will still mean a definite win for the Liberal/Coalition, because several of the independents will choose to side with them as they are former National party members. I don’t think it is that simple as that. They are ‘former’ National members for a reason. They left because the Nationals weren’t any good for them anymore and so became independent. Also all the Greens and independents support want the NBN which Labor is rolling out, whereas the Coalition’s offering in communications they really aren’t impressed with at all. So if the Coalition continue to think the NBN is a waste, then the Greens and independents will definitely side with Labor and Julia Gillard will therefore continue as PM.
Phew.. I think I’ll end it there. Probably typed up my own little blog entry myself!