May 3 - Federal Election Day

Today I am not writing about my cancer

Instead, I have an embarrassing confession... 

I LOVE elections

Ever since year 9 social studies, during the Fraser era, when I learnt all about social justice and "razor gangs" and got my knickers in a twist about it, I have followed every election since. And I mean articles in scrapbooks, cutting out the election pendulum, glued to the telly on election night, (have a wild guess how I'm going to spend this evening...) more recently, looking up my local booth results (go blue rinse set, you little devils, 35% Green vote 2 elections ago - double the ALP vote)

Oh, I'm rambling. Sorry about that..(I'm not really)

Anyway, I always thought I was a radical loonie left wing leftie (yeah yeah, Viva le revolution, eyeroll)

All you poor people I have berated in conversations over the years...oh my goodness

Imagine my surprise when I did the vote compass, comparing my opinions to the party lines. I am right in the bloody middle. Like almost bullseye in the middle. So much for being a loonie radical leftie. It's quite sad really. I'm...(gasp)...normal. Damn! 

 

I gotta say though, being in the seat of Kooyong due to the abolition of Higgins, finding myself for the first time ever in a marginal, hotly contested seat, it's been a revelation. In the news daily, candidates door knocking, posters on every corner, and the dirt, hell, so much dirty laundry being aired. So much bitching. This is the most enjoyable campaign ever! So this is what a marginal seat feels like. Man, I've so been missing out...

I am one of the several million who pre poll voted, and if anyone cares, I went pretty much as the chart above suggests (switch Lib & Green positions.) I mean you talk to me for more than 3 minutes you would have a pretty good idea anyway so its no big secret.

 

I am grateful to live in a country that allows free voting. I am grateful to live in an actual democracy. I am grateful to voice an opinion without being thrown in jail or mysteriously disappearing...I am grateful to meet people who completely disagree with me, and still be able to sit down have a coffee together. I am grateful to live in a town where the live footy broadcast still takes precedence over the election coverage during evening programming...

Let's not forget, there's things to legitimately feel shitty about, it's not all roses, but gee we're lucky to live in Australia. And we can always kick them out on their asses next time...

 

I am writing this well before polling closes, so I have no idea the outcome. It doesn't really matter. Things are slowly changing in this country. I am not unhappy at the idea of more independents in parliament, for the following reasons:

1) it requires compromise and negotiation - a lost art - to get legislation through

2) it makes it harder for lobbyists (I am thinking big business interests, mining groups for starters) to exert their influence - they have to buy off everyone, not just the party heavyweights!!! Freudian slip, I meant convince everyone...

3) they are more likely to represent their electors rather than party interests

4) there is likely to be a wider variety of ideas presented as solutions to problems or legislative directions, as opposed to party mantra

I'm sure there's more, but I have bored you all to tears by now. Anyone got to the end of this essay, congratulations! Where have you been all my life?