warning - this is one of those overtly political blog posts that has nothing to do with fabric or sewing or paper. this is one of those messages that comes from the heart. move along, if you're looking for something a wee bit more lighthearted.
Tomorrow, the nation I live in goes to the polls. Tomorrow, the nation I live in will select a leading party for the next three years. As was demonstrated this year, they won't be selecting a leader. They'll be selecting the party that will pick a leader for us.
Australians, to be sure, you have a big responsibility ahead of you. You have a decision to make which will influence your life from here on out. For the parents among you, it will affect your children. It will affect their grandparents. Your neighbours. Your hopes. Your dreams. While I accept that mandatory voting and fines seem a bit unusual; remember that you have a choice denied to others. A chance to influence your nation. A chance to move things down the path of your choice. Yes, you have an obligation to vote. You also have a privilege. Don't forget that.
Because I'm not eligible to vote yet, I'm asking you to please make the most of your opportunity. Please don't waste your ballot in protest. Please don't leave it blank. Please don't draw giant vulgar images on it and drop it in the ballot box. I have heard numerous Australians tell me they will vote a blank ballot in protest of the choices offered. I'm asking you to please not to do that. To be clear, a blank ballot is the saddest form of protest there is. While you're busy not voting for the best choice, someone else is actively voting for the worst. Someone else will be choosing a party to lead this country.
This post isn't about telling you who to vote for or which party I support. This post is to remind you to make the most of your opportunity. Make a list of what is important to you. Is it the environment? Is it taxes? Abortion rights? Trust of the leading party? Same-sex marriage rights? Immigration? Stabilizing the population? Education? Freedom of speech? Make a list of what really matters to you. Then score each party on how closely they align to your opinions. You might weigh some issues higher. You might be swayed by one single, defining issue. No matter what your method, tally the scores and go vote.
Despite living in Australia for nearly seven years, I'm not yet eligible to vote. I am not yet eligible for citizenship. Despite owning a business here and paying taxes, I can't voice my opinion. You can. Please make the most of it.
Thanks
Amy
Here here Amy!! Voting is such a massive privilege and I too am frustrated with those who don't understand that. We are truly lucky no matter what or who we believe to be able to do so. My vote is already cast and I am anxious to see how the weekend pans out...xox
ReplyDeleteWell said. I love to vote, I love being enfranchised and I think of all the struggles in the past and right now, buy those who want the right to vote. I take it very seriously and number below the line. mind you, here in the Island State we vote below the line in every State election so we are used to it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Amy. I am another who numbers below the line.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post - I wish everyone could read this, it would, I'm sure change their minds about their 'protest vote'.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that though, I am not looking forward to tomorrow, nobody I vote for ever, ever wins. ;)
I agree with your post. And I often tell people who complain about our country's leaders and do a blank vote, that they have no right to complain as they didnt even try to stop it happening...
ReplyDeleteGreat post Amy. I don't think we necessarily have great choices at the moment but there is no way I am going to protest by leaving my paper blank, that could have dire consequences.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post. Bravo!
ReplyDeletecouldnm't agree more- the protest vote is a ridiculous concept that actually proves nothing and helps no one.
ReplyDeleteNice post Amy :) Although I don't agree with being forced to vote (I think it makes the politicians lazy and work less diligently to represent the electorate) I do take it seriously, especially after living in 3rd world countries. It's been hard for me as we have just arrived and I don't watch local news or know the issues at all. I am basically voting to make sure the party I see as the worst choice doesn't get in, as opposed to possibly making a more educated and correct vote if I understood the issues Australia faces in detail. I suspect my vote is the one you are wishing to cast, from what you have mentioned elsewhere ;) So this one's for both of us! I believe you know a lot more about local issues and what goes on here than I do after so long away.
ReplyDeleteI completely appreciate how you feel... being here so long, contributing as an upstanding member of the community and not having citizenship or the right to voice your feelings. After nearly 10 years in LA I still was 3 years away from getting a green card... I know that feeling of wanting to be part of something and not being able to. Now we are hoping that my husband can get residency, though I know it won't be easy. I wish you luck - surely you are eligible for citizenship soon?... and fingers crossed for this election eh!
Amy, I completely agree!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking like Jude that it shouldn't be long until you can apply for citizenship or have things changed drastically since I did it? I know a lot has change regarding migration/permanent residency since I moved here.
Excellent post - it is important to make the most of the opportunity. (I came here via Vic at Punky & Me)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post and making your thoughts known.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason only adults can vote, and that is to make an "adult" decision, not some childish "deface-the-ballot-paper" non-decision.
As you say we are privileged to be able to cast our vote as we wish, without duress or fear of violence and should not take that for granted.
Hope that you are able to be a voter soon.
I agreed Amy.
ReplyDeleteWhile at times our government is like a circus, I think doing a blank or donkey vote is just ludicrous.
Many nations around the world are corrupt, they can not vote or if they do their vote doesn't count.
I am not a fan of a lot of polices and politics don't excite me and some of the points I find confusing, yet I am honoured to live in a country tat was amongst the first to have women vote (I won't say allow, because I don't thinking allowing should be the right term). Once again so many women can not do this.
Don't throw away the privilege of having a say in your country. You might not think the options are great, but think how bad it would be if your weren't given the option.
Well said! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Don't waste you vote 'making a statement' which in fact says nothing at all. To really make a statement, vote for the party who has the most checks in your 'good things' column. No one wins anything if you cast a dud ballot. Except Mark Latham's ego.
ReplyDeletewell said!
ReplyDeleteI do not count myself as pollitically savvy, but I will be voting for who I think 'is the lesser of the evils' (for me anyway) ;-) We are hoping to make it a fun event - they usually have a sausage sizzle where we vote and on a cold day like today, it will be a pleasure ;-)
I love that we live in a country where it is compulsory to vote. I believe that is the only way to have a true democracy. Nobody misses out on the opportunity because it was too cold, too far, or cost too much to get to a booth on election day.
ReplyDeletePeople don't realise how good they have it.
I know so many thought that live here and raise children here and own houses and pay taxes that can't vote as they aren't yet citizens and it's so unfair.
THanks Amy
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Now with a hung Parliament Australia moves inro an interesting time in our history, and an outcome that may "encourage" the major parties to work a little harder! :)
ReplyDelete