An election is looming in WA, voter confidence is at an all time low, just how do we vote to make a difference?
From this story on Perthnow: "Pessimism in the community at levels last seen two decades ago when Paul Keating warned that the nation could become "a banana republic", according to the latest Newspoll standard-of-living survey . In the past six months, the percentage of people who fear their living conditions will "get worse" has more than doubled - the biggest jump in the survey's 23-year history - as the percentage of those expecting an improvement almost halved. Fears about living standards for the next six months are worse than voters experienced before the introduction of the Howard government's GST in July 2000. According to the latest Newspoll survey on standard-of-living expectations, conducted at the weekend, the percentage of people who think their living conditions will get worse in the next six months has gone from just 18 per cent after the November election of the Rudd Government to 43 per cent".
What has Australia become?
We in WA with the state of politics here are probably worse off than the rest of the country - a (so called) Labor Government, who without the hopeless Liberal Opposition would normally have no chance of a return to government and is likely to romp it back into power.
So how can we change the sad situation we face? As I see it: One choice is we vote independant but at the end of the day what good will that do. Another choice is to vote for a party like the Greens, although I have been somewhat disheartened with the Greens, I think this will be my choice - why? - because I think if enough of us do it, this will make a difference, let's face it the Greens will never win enough seats to form a Government, but enough votes to the Greens will certainly shake up Labor and maybe they will once again start listening to the people. Also the Greens do have some good policies.
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As this story shows - Main parties mess is gold for greens - it looks like I am not alone.
PS. Come back Dr. Geoff Gallop - all is forgiven (well almost all - its hard to forgive the "carbon fraud" desal claims).
6 comments:
But the greens preferences go to labor, so is that really any better in the long run?
Thanks Dave,
At the end of the day Labour will get back in power - I think the only hope is to change the balance of power - would be great in both houses but the reality is the Greens are likely to get balance of power in the upper house. I remember this made a diiference 2 and 3 elections ago.
I'm a strong believer in the importance of the minor parties holding the balance of power at both the state and federal levels. Otherwise you get a repeat of the last Howard Government, with pollies pushing through reforms and agendas without going through the proper processes.
I'm a strong believer in the importance of the minor parties holding the balance of power at both the state and federal levels. Otherwise you get a repeat of the last Howard Government, with pollies pushing through reforms and agendas without going through the proper processes.
Spot on Dave (twice) :-)
Hey some guy suggested a bewdy on the Bob Maumill show today. His suggestion was for everone to vote against their sitting member! No party discrimination , Labor or Liberal. Give them all a shake up was his point. Make the bastards truly work for their votes and remind them that they are accountable to their electorates. Stuff this notion that once voted in, (especially in safe seats), that no work be done for the constituency. You choose the career baby, you be accountable. You represent the people, all of them, even the ones that didn't vote for you and you do a damn good job of it.I'm all for voting against sitting members, good, bad and indifferent. The monoplosing parties need a bloody good shake up. Let's give it to them.
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