Election Time

So it is election time in our little wilderness state of Tasmania, Australia.  In little under a month the goodly Tasmanian's will be called to enter little booths with pencil and paper to commit our state to another 3-4 years of governing from one of the political parties.  I am a little depressed about this coming election as there is no-one that I clearly want to vote for.

40 Year old me!  I see a wrinkle!

This past 4 years has been governed by an alliance of two minority parties who largely have conflicting goals.  The Premier of the state is the  a  complete nonce who likes to have a photo op rather than have something important to say.  In the past 4 years our finances have been flushed down the toilet and she has the gall to say to the opposition that they can't make promises because there is no money.

But the opposition is just as poor a choice.  Here is a guy who I am fairly certain thinks he already has things won.  He pays too much attention to the polls me thinks.  he has made promises of payments to various sectors but all politicians do that.  Besides, I really don't think that anybody really gets the real issues here in our state anymore.

Finally, there is a new party on the scene.  they don't really say much about anything unless it is derogatory to the other parties.  They say "Hey vote for us because we haven't caused any damage, not like X party" and I think that is largely because they have not made it in to government yet.

I am fairly certain that when I go to vote I will still be as confused then as I am now.  Not one of the parties want to speak about the real issues.  Escalating depression and suicide rates.  Increased mental illness, alcoholism, drug and gambling problems.  Jobs going overseas at the rate of the thousands.  Laws that allow the rich to get richer, the middle to just scrape by and the poor to be forgotten.

We are facing our worst challenges everywhere in Tasmania on a social level but not a single party wants to speak about this.  What they want to do is talk about money and where they can put it for a short term boost in employment or revenue.  This is part of the problem but none of the parties have a holistic view when you need it.  In fact, I cannot think that any party in operation is working for the good of the people any more.  They are simply working for the good of their party.

Everything is about money.  The focus on every minute detail is ridiculously revolving around the planet of the dollar when in reality the money is a symptom of deeper issues.  Ask yourself, do you know your neighbour?  Have you done anything for someone recently and expected, nay WANTED nothing in return.  Why do we turn our back on people in need on our own streets and yet sponsor people in need in other countries.  Look to what you can do to improve the lot of life of people in your community.  Prove to them that you want to help them and that you can be reliable and open.  If we all acted in this way and took a moment away from our own needs and wants, this State of Tasmania (and the world) would be a much better place.

Well, that is what I have been thinking about any way and this is the view from my window after all!  Have a good week everyone.