tag:www.beckenham.id.au,2007://5/tag:www.beckenham.id.au,2007://5.566- Comments for Why the election matters I was just another expat in Shanghai Movable Type 4.01 tag:www.beckenham.id.au,2007://5.566 2007-11-23T01:47:19Z 2007-11-23T04:09:06Z Why the election matters A thoughtful piece by Peter Hartcher writing for The Brisbane Times...When Al Gore stood against George Bush for the US presidency in 2000, the reaction of much of America's political commentariat was a giant collective yawn. It was a choice... Tim http://www.beckenham.id.au Peter Hartcher writing for The Brisbane Times...

When Al Gore stood against George Bush for the US presidency in 2000, the reaction of much of America's political commentariat was a giant collective yawn. It was a choice between "Tweedledee and Tweedledum", Americans were often told. The smart position to assume was a studied boredom, the sophisticated expression a dismissive sneer.
Read through this. It gives a strong example on why your vote matters. The Australian Electoral process is a far different (and thankfully, more effective) beast that the one our American cousins  suffer through,  yet many Australian's can be judged for voting on whimsical issues or by party lines.

Take a few minutes (or hopefully longer) to consider how you vote tomorrow. Vote for your needs, vote for the country you want. Don't waste your vote.

The problem with this election, that is eerily similar to that of the 2000 US Election, is the the 'seeming' convergence of the major Australian political parties towards shared-tenancy agreements over most policies, it is truly the differences that will set these candidates apart.

In the above article, Hartcher goes on to discuss how each candidate's differences were only exposed by the events following the 2000 US elections, and that history could only expose the true mettle of each representative. Australia has had the advantage of getting to know how one of its candidates for this election has performed in the past. Australia seems to know much more about how the Coalition will perform and evolve over the next Federal term.

Collectively, we also know that there will be some seminal moments arising over the next few years, with global action on environmental change, resolving conflicts in the Middle East, and a looming energy crisis. Domestically, we have a skills shortage in healthcare and trades.

Whatever your choice tomorrow, please take a moment to consider how each candidate and party would respond to these challenges, based on their performances and also their long-standing positions on these issues.  Make your vote for your future. Please, please, please make an informed choice.
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