How do you choose who to vote for?

[lurker17260]

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?

[cueperkins]

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.

[*crikey*mate*]

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

[ladydeburg]

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.

[cueperkins]

"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 ...

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.

[cueperkins]

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

[donnashuggy]

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

[i-need-a-martini]

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.

[cueperkins]

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.

[newstart2380]

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)

[cueperkins]

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.