Thank you Gillian and AMEN! ..."voting in line with your values"...simple and true, we just need to take the time to discover the essential values of those on the ballot not the ones they may appear to present. My glimmer...reading your post this morning, and the beautiful return of the sun after lots and lots of rain and clouds.
Thank you for sharing and informing me of what's happening in your part of the world. It seems that democracy is under threat globally. You're spot on, and we can not take it for granted no matter where your feet are planted.
Great rallying call Gillian , we all must participate in our collective governance..I like the way you position how democracy is still evolving. It sounds like you have a much better system than we do in the UK, where it’s corrupt, hard baked and beyond fixing.
We need new ways to bring justice and equality that truly reflects what the majority wants , rather than the minority.
Yes, I think the solutions will be different in different places depending on what we are starting with but participation will always be key. Thanks for being here!
Aussie here, and new follower. Resounding yes to all you have written here. As a long baked-on voter of one of the two main parties, I am considering a change this time.
What a beautiful, intelligent, heartfelt post! Thank you for this lesson on democracy and social responsibility. My country is under siege from “patriots” who are trying to destroy everything that we’ve achieved over the past century or more, and it’s painful that the news media are not reporting what’s going on. But I have my glimmers of hope in the protests that are taking place all across America. Thank you, Gillian and Li’l Bean!
I have said for many years that the two major parties have both become more of a conglomerate with more differences within each party than between them! Maybe we would get better representation if they were split into two parties each 🧐
Can’t believe there are only four candidates in Canberra *sigh*. One each of the duopoly, a green and another minor party, not exactly a lot of choice. I guess most of the effort goes into more marginal seats.
Oh that is surprising about Canberra - I know the candidate list was due to be finalised but perhaps not just yet - there may be more added. After an electoral jiggle I find myself in the seat of Riverina - a safe National seat! Lol.
Thanks so much for the mention. As you've probably gathered this is a topic close to my heart. I don't really care how someone votes (well, I do but I'll gloss over that) but I do care if they vote. Here in the UK we don't have compulsory voting and voter apathy is a huge problem. Politicians and media of a more authoritarian nature use this strongly to suggest that 'your vote doesn't matter anyway' or that 'all politicians are the same' which just encourages the apathetic to stay home. I know that compulsory voting has it's downsides too but on balance I think I'd take it.
“Well I do but I will gloss over that”!! Thank you for the chuckle, the double edged sword of democracy! I love compulsory voting it makes it feel egalitarian and I have an easier time coming to terms with a result I don’t like as I know everyone was involved.
Thank you Gillian and AMEN! ..."voting in line with your values"...simple and true, we just need to take the time to discover the essential values of those on the ballot not the ones they may appear to present. My glimmer...reading your post this morning, and the beautiful return of the sun after lots and lots of rain and clouds.
That is the rub isn’t it! Gut sense is always worth paying attention to. Happy sunny day to you!
Thank you for sharing and informing me of what's happening in your part of the world. It seems that democracy is under threat globally. You're spot on, and we can not take it for granted no matter where your feet are planted.
If it is any consolation I think many of us here are newly aware of how important it is not to take for granted!
Great rallying call Gillian , we all must participate in our collective governance..I like the way you position how democracy is still evolving. It sounds like you have a much better system than we do in the UK, where it’s corrupt, hard baked and beyond fixing.
We need new ways to bring justice and equality that truly reflects what the majority wants , rather than the minority.
Yes, I think the solutions will be different in different places depending on what we are starting with but participation will always be key. Thanks for being here!
Hello from Perth! This actually reminded me to go and check out my local independents and what they stand for. Thank you 🙏
Hi Sara! Lovely to meet you. How cool that you will go and check out your independents! I hope there is someone super running.
Aussie here, and new follower. Resounding yes to all you have written here. As a long baked-on voter of one of the two main parties, I am considering a change this time.
Hi Rach, Welcome! Thanks for popping in to say hello. Have fun exploring the options!
Easy to understand, makes a lot of sense, thank you for these well-crafted words of wisdom.
Thank mate!
Yes, AMEN from me too!
Thanks! Wishing you a good day :)
Yes! Get active in democracy I say.
Yay!
What a beautiful, intelligent, heartfelt post! Thank you for this lesson on democracy and social responsibility. My country is under siege from “patriots” who are trying to destroy everything that we’ve achieved over the past century or more, and it’s painful that the news media are not reporting what’s going on. But I have my glimmers of hope in the protests that are taking place all across America. Thank you, Gillian and Li’l Bean!
Thank you Rafael, that is a lovely compliment. I have had many glimmer moments reading about your protests too!
A brilliant reminder, thanks Gillian 🥰
I have said for many years that the two major parties have both become more of a conglomerate with more differences within each party than between them! Maybe we would get better representation if they were split into two parties each 🧐
Can’t believe there are only four candidates in Canberra *sigh*. One each of the duopoly, a green and another minor party, not exactly a lot of choice. I guess most of the effort goes into more marginal seats.
Oh that is surprising about Canberra - I know the candidate list was due to be finalised but perhaps not just yet - there may be more added. After an electoral jiggle I find myself in the seat of Riverina - a safe National seat! Lol.
Go Gillian! Such a powerful post! Thank you. xx
Thanks for letting me know!
Thanks so much for the mention. As you've probably gathered this is a topic close to my heart. I don't really care how someone votes (well, I do but I'll gloss over that) but I do care if they vote. Here in the UK we don't have compulsory voting and voter apathy is a huge problem. Politicians and media of a more authoritarian nature use this strongly to suggest that 'your vote doesn't matter anyway' or that 'all politicians are the same' which just encourages the apathetic to stay home. I know that compulsory voting has it's downsides too but on balance I think I'd take it.
“Well I do but I will gloss over that”!! Thank you for the chuckle, the double edged sword of democracy! I love compulsory voting it makes it feel egalitarian and I have an easier time coming to terms with a result I don’t like as I know everyone was involved.
Exactly, it's the whining and whinging from people who didn't participate that really annoys me.
I didn’t know how Australian elections worked- this is fascinating and I wish the US worked like this
So glad you enjoyed reading about our system! Thanks for popping in to say hello.