h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I really don't want Howard to win at the Oct 9 election. I don't want Latham to win either, but I guess we have to settle for someone.
I think that editorial cartoon is a pretty accurate representation of the political situation in the world at the moment. It's all Howard - he's such a suck. The sooner he's out of office, the better.

Well, I wish you had a vote...

Does it look as though he's in with a big chance of winning?

There's a real chance that Howard could win again, but I can't tell how likely that is. It's hard to judge these things from Canberra - this place is a leftish bubble in a conservative region.

Seems like we are all in the same boat, Ivan, and we all seem to think the same of our respective PMs, President etc. so how did they get in, and how have they managed to stay there, and will they still be there after the next election?

This thread seems to be running parallel to the one "coping with disturbing images".

By the way, how does it feel to have a hurricane named after you, though this one is definitely not "distinctly average"

Websailor

Hi Websailor. It is sad that just about all the current incumbents have to take a share in the responsibility for getting us all into this situation. (Three cheers for Helen Clark, PM of New Zealand, for keeping her country out of this.)

As for Hurricane Ivan... Well, I'm nowhere near as destructive; I don't think there's any resemblance; it does feel a bit odd using the name just at the moment. Still, at least I'll be remembered.

*sigh* Politics...
I watched about five minutes of that Federal Debate on TV the other night, and turned it off. Howard's arguments, in fact I think Howard himself - it could be seen to be a desperate ploy...
"Employ me! Let me keep my job!"

I only hope Latham wins and does a better job. Then again, I've heard people say that Latham will be no better. Ivan, what do you think of Latham?

I'm not entirely sure that Latham is the best we can do, but he does think, he does have opinions, and he does suggest alternatives. The man's written several books about alternative options for the country. From my point of view, almost any alternative course is worth pursuing.

The fact that he's not a small-minded racist bigot is also a plus.

Yeah, good point....

I should probably mention that Latham's party won't get my primary vote, but they will get my second preference.

The only people I really know in this election are Howard and Latham. Even for a teenager who is about three years away from getting the vote, you can't help but have an opinion on this.
Although I'm downright surprised that Pauline Hanson is going to run again...

I'm bemused by the reappearance of Hanson. I don't think she has much chance, and as usual I don't think she has a clue about anything much. That being said, her campaign is compelling, like a car crash.

My primary vote this time will go to the Greens. They have no chance of forming a government, of course, but the more Greens and other minor party members we get into Parliament, the more accountable the actual government will be. The fact is, my electorate is safe Labor so it won't matter too much, but the more primary votes the Greens/Democrats/Others get, the more likely it is that the major parties will start to pay attention to the concerns of people other than their own members.

I have exactly the same feelings about the UK elections. The big parties have had it their own way for far too long. They just don't listen

It is interesting to hear the views of people from Australia and the US on voting etc. rather than what appears in the media.

It is most enlightening.

Websailor

One advantage we have here is preferential voting. This link explains it rather well:

http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/guide/howpreferenceswork.htm

Basically, the voter isn't restricted to just one choice, and the outcome usually reflects a reasonable consensus. It also empowers the minor parties, to some extent - a vote for a minor party is not wasted.

(That being said - I'd still prefer proportional representation...)

*shakes head in amazement*

Hey... they tried to teach me this stuff in school, and I didn't get it. Miraculously, I understand it now! Thanks, Ivan!

There's no need to thank me - all the work was done by that funny little gnome the ABC drags out on election night... I've never seen anyone else get so excited by a projected swing in a marginal seat.

I think becoming too deeply invloved with political stuff can be bad for your health. It's only when the Government does something really stupid that you have to sit up and notice. E.G. putting us into the middle of a war that is strictly America's business.

Ivan,

Thanks for that link. Next time I talk to friend in Australia about voting, which crops up often, I shall understand better what they are talking about.

I understand voting is compulsory in Au. I wish it was here.

Websailor

I don't know - they fine you if you don't vote. And if you're really busy that day, it can be a real pain in the butt. I understand that there are steps you can take to vote earlier but honestly, who has the time to go through all that?
Oh well, at least we all get a say in the running of our country (albeit a forced one )

I'm not quite sure what I think about compulsory voting...

PRO:
*Everyone is guaranteed a say, and a vote of equal value.
*Everyone is obliged to think about politics, and the direction the country is taking.
*Everyone is responsible for the future of the country.
*Every vote does count; there's one seat where the margin is 88 votes, even after all adults have had a say. (There's usually about 120,000 voters per electorate, I think.)

CON:
*What about freedom of choice?
*Even the woefully misinformed vote - and sometimes it shows.

The fine for not voting is only about $50, by the way.