topic Re: How do you choose who to vote for? in Community Spirit

How do you choose who to vote for?

lurker17260 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:00:41 GMT

I'm just curious as there seems to be a total fixation with just the leaders atm.

The poll boxes are too small so here are the options in full:

1. my local candidates, based on what he/she can do/has done in my community

2. the party I like best

3. the leader of the party, even though their name (probably) isn't be on my ballot paper?

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

lurker17260 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:02:13 GMT

*doh* why do typos never appear until after you've hit Post

How = Who

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

lurker17260 — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:03:13 GMT

.... and then you misread your own typing :8}

I'll go away now, just carry on.........

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

sandypas — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:35:16 GMT

http://www.buggerthebankers.com/

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

ladydeburg — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:50:02 GMT

I vote for the party that has a track record of solid political governance, sound fiscal policy, honest straight talk on how the country is going, a balanced budget, excellent terms of trade, being a good neighbour in our region, not damaging out trading partners, not signing every European treaty that does not concern Australia.

There is more than the above list that sways my thinking & voting pattern but that is a start.

If I voted for a party purely for the popularity of the leader I would not vote Labor today, purely on her track record so far, not gender, or whether I like her glasses or not.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

azureline** — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:55:37 GMT

I vote for the local member, based on what they do in our community. I don't usually vote for a particular party and I probably have never voted for the same party more than twice.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

cueperkins — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:11:21 GMT

I vote on the basis of underlying philosophy, though these days I have to say, the new look ALP isn't a patch on the original ideals of the party. It's all so shallow these days it's like puddle jumping for the superficial. Even so ALP have achieved a lot amidst all the BS. See Tax Free Threshold increase to $18,000 = HUGE win for low wage earners, but you wouldn't think so. It went by without so much as a whimper or 'how's ya father'.

My feeling is that many traditional ALP voters are not altogether happy with Julia's track record, especially the Rudd incident, but they wouldn't vote LNP if they were the last party on earth. Why? Because the philosophies of the Lib party are completely opposite to that of the ALP. It's always the swing voters they compete for & they will be the ones who determine the outcome of the next election. The rest of us just have to put up with the 'vote for me' circus in the meantime.

BTW, I predict another Minority Govt.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

ladydeburg — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:23:23 GMT

75% voted for Party. I think that's about right. The Greens are the one's who will be wiped out this time & Labor will pick up a % the deserting Green votes. The Others have swelled so their votes will be distributed evenly to both parties.

Labor will lose a lot of voters simply because they are disillusioned with this present party & they are not so philosophically inclined, more the hip pocket, what's in it for me voters

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

cueperkins — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:01:26 GMT

I think people vote on party for very good reason. The history of politics in Australia forged those alliances long ago.

Some might be interested to know that Minority Govt isn't a new thing for Labor and in fact it's how they started.

Labor during its early years was distinguished by its rapid growth and success at a national level, first forming a minority government under Chris Watson, the first Labor prime minister in the world, for four months in 1904. Andrew Fisher then formed another minority government 1908–09. At the 1910 election, Fisher led Labor to victory. The Fisher government was Australia's first federal majority government, held Australia's first Senate majority, and was the world's first labor party majority government.

More history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Labor_Party

It helps to know the philosophies/history on both sides. I won't vote for LNP because they are focused on "user pay" philosophy to such an extent that many are excluded from access to necessary services. See Dental health in this Country as only one example.

At least ALP are discussing a National Dental Scheme =something that will make a difference to the Nation. We should be voting on these types of issues, not the usual 'He Said, She said' BS.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

ladydeburg — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:47:05 GMT

I think people vote on party for very good reason. The history of politics in Australia forged those alliances long ago.

Some might be interested to know that Minority Govt isn't a new thing for Labor and in fact it's how they started.

Labor during its early years was distinguished by its rapid growth and success at a national level, first forming a minority government under Chris Watson, the first Labor prime minister in the world, for four months in 1904. Andrew Fisher then formed another minority government 1908–09. At the 1910 election, Fisher led Labor to victory. The Fisher government was Australia's first federal majority government, held Australia's first Senate majority, and was the world's first labor party majority government.

More history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Labor_Party

It helps to know the philosophies/history on both sides. I won't vote for LNP because they are focused on "user pay" philosophy to such an extent that many are excluded from access to necessary services. See Dental health in this Country as only one example.

At least ALP are discussing a National Dental Scheme =something that will make a difference to the Nation. We should be voting on these types of issues, not the usual 'He Said, She said' BS.

I'm sure a national dental sccheme is an aspiration for both parties but no one wants to go back to Labors "One Billion Dollars a Month" Labor scheme they have just scrapped because of poor governance. Every dental mechanic in out area ended up with state of the art surgeries.

I'm sure everyone wants more welfare but the reality is that this country just cannot afford any more handouts that goes on plasmas & overseas people who are not contibuting to the wealth of our country.

We are in debt for billions because of Labor's failed efforts to protect the borders of Australia & this debt is growing every day swallowing up all & any schemes we could afford or want to launch.

If there was more focus on infrastructure instead of middle class welfare then we wouldn't need these handouts. We need a govt who has a track record of good fiscal policies.

I respect your views & you have every right to express them but I can't agree with you. It's all very well to talk about the light on the hill & other Labor philosophy but by todays Labor standards they are all missing & I can never see them returning. It's all about power & how to keep it now.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

cueperkins — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:10:18 GMT

I respect your views too as different as they may be in part - How else can anyone flip the coin over?.....

As for the Middle class welfare, I'm not talking about those who can afford to join a health fund (stingy as they are in terms of remuneration). However, for those who have to beg health care in State systems that are so badly underfunded they hardly exist, it's a whole different story.

I know many pensioners - elderly Aussies who worked all their lives & they can't get ACCESS to something as simple as a denture? What would you tell them? ACCESS is something that has to be debated = poor dental health leads to higher morbidity and even mortality = higher health costs. Roundabout or swings...which is your preference? At the very least it should be included in the Medicare system so people can get a rebate on some of the cost.

BTW, Good fiscal management without social conscience is just another pendulum swing to the extreme. You can't say 'one sizes fits all' because it doesn't. Balance is what's needed, not one extreme to the other as we've seen in the past few decades.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

*crikey*mate* — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:14:26 GMT

no option for "eenie, meanie, miney moe" and a blindfold?

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

ladydeburg — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:19:25 GMT

I respect your views too as different as they may be in part - How else can anyone flip the coin over?.....

As for the Middle class welfare, I'm not talking about those who can afford to join a health fund (stingy as they are in terms of remuneration).

I know many pensioners - elderly Aussies who worked all their lives & they can't get ACCESS to something as simple as a denture? What would you tell them? ACCESS is something that has to be debated = poor dental health leads to higher morbidity and even mortality = higher health costs. Roundabout or swings...which is your preference? At the very least it should be included in the Medicare system so people can get a rebate on some of the cost.

BTW, Good fiscal management without social conscience is just another pendulum swing to the extreme. You can't say 'one sizes fits all' because it doesn't. Balance is what's needed, not one extreme to the other as we've seen in the past few decades.

"However, for those who have to beg health care in State systems that are so badly underfunded they hardly exist, it's a whole different story."

State health is the purview of States not Federal. I agree, dental care should be covered under medicare. ATM the medicare levy doesn't even come close to covering costs so an increase in the levy is OK by me.

As for good fiscal policy without social concience is something none of usI could never condone but I categorically don't agree with handouts or billions of dollars waste as we have seen recently.

I repeat, if we didn't have the massive waste & debt we could afford the infrastructure in our public amenities, we could afford a dental scheme, we could afford more public housing.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

cueperkins — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:37:15 GMT

"If there was more focus on infrastructure instead of middle class welfare then we wouldn't need these handouts. We need a govt who has a track record of good fiscal policies"

That makes no sense...It was the Libs who started 'Middle Class Welfare' if anyone. Historically, they've been largely the party of the middle class (whom Menzies, in the era of the party's formation called "The Forgotten People")

From 1942 onward, Menzies had maintained his public profile with his series of "The Forgotten People" radio talks, similar to Franklin D. Roosevelt's "fireside chats" of the 1930s, in which he spoke of the middle class as the "backbone of Australia" but as nevertheless having been "taken for granted" by political parties

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Party_of_Australia

RE: infrastructure, many would argue that Howard achieved his surplus by robbing infrastructure.

As for who's talking infrastructure? Well that would be the ALP - see NBN.

By comparison LNP are talking Wireless Broadband? Makes ya wonder if they've ever tried to get any kind of reception outside of a city. ? Virtually useless. How can we compete on an international stage in an 'internet age', without a decent telecommunications network? We're currently way behind in that regard.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

cueperkins — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:38:57 GMT

Sukiri, we have common ground on that one...I didn't agree with the cash handouts either. It should have been invested in stimulating small business to create jobs. JMO

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

donnashuggy — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 03:32:16 GMT

I vote to keep the libs out, frightening to think that Tony Abbott could one day become leader, and embarrassing.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

i-need-a-martini — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 03:43:29 GMT

I base my votes on values and philosophy. That generally means I vote for Labor because their values align with mine.

But I can be swayed by a good leader and have voted Liberal in past NSW state elections because that person had vision.

If Malcolm was in opposition I'd be very tempted to vote Liberal this year. His core values I admire, he is charismatic and I am concerned about another hung parliament.

But NOTHING (NOTHING!!!) could ever make me vote for the Liberal party whilst someone as useless as Abbott is at the helm.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

cueperkins — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 03:52:00 GMT

Ditto Martini....I really enjoyed the Q & A debate before Christmas with Rudd & Turnbull going at it...no name calling, but intelligent debate of the issues with some humour thrown in.

The problem with both major parties is that they don't have the leaders we want to hear from. Even so, Gillard is better than the alternative.

Ditto to Donna too....can't stand the bloke.

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

newstart2380 — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:05:17 GMT

You choose a party that is the most honest out of the 2 major parties, forget the minor parties such as "the pirate party" (yes it is a registered party).

Look at the policies each party has to offer, try to remember what promises are made and whether they are feasible.

Who the treasurer will be because "he/she will be the most important person because they handle the purse strings.

Remember what blunders the sitting party has made over the time in government, remember what the opposition has said it will do to "make things right".

In other words "don't vote for Labor this time" - HEY this should start a good debate and I am ducking already to miss the flak (not)

Re: How do you choose who to vote for?

cueperkins — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:12:22 GMT

Newstart as Karen has said in another thread & which I agree with, you don't find a general aggression amongst ALP supporters in terms of getting abusive. By comparison LNP seem to generate such a divisive style themselves that it seems many who subscribe to their principals of robbing the poor to subsidise the rich, simply follow the leader. Literally.

We're Aussies first and foremost and what's good for the Nation should be the order of the day...it hasn't been for years now & Abbott is largely responsible.

Take the refugee issue for instance.....Stop the Boats? not unless you can stop the wars....and just take for instance the BIPARTISANSHIP displayed by both sides back in the '70's when they mutually solved a much BIGGER humanitarian crisis by simply working together. JMO Not having a go. Abbott & Gillard could learn a lot from Fraser & Whitlam.