Sigh! Is it just me or are other people getting a feeling of predictability when it comes to Federal Politics at the moment? Don't get me wrong I love politics and for as long as I can remember, the thought of a good sparring match in the Lower House has excited me, but not anymore. The buzz from the election announcement has worn off and because uni has not started yet I'm at a loss of how to fill my time. Ok so maybe I have 4 paying jobs and spend at least a day a week with my Grandma, but when it comes to politics my love and passion seem to conk out. Currently, the anticipation of Question Time is better than Question Time itself, and I have come to the conclusion that I'm either having a mid teenage crisis or a crisis of political faith. Neither of which I am happy to admit. Why? Because since I was 10 I have loved politics and now at a really old 17 (18 a week before the Federal Budget is released) I just don't know anymore.
My daily routine includes reading 2,3 or 4 newspapers, a few Australian and International news sites, watching some news bulletins and a morning check of Twitter, so that by 9am I am up to speed on everything that has gone down since I went to sleep. During a sitting week I also tend to read the House of Representative's Daily Program for anything interesting, why? Just a (bad) habit I got into during Year 12 Politics. But then what? Wait for some politicians to give a Press Conference so that I can see some uncensored bitching? So that I can see that someone doesn't like someone else? Or so that I can see the L &NP or Greens blaming the Government for something else or vice versa? I have come to the point where I can ascertain what will happen in Question Time, so now I figure why even bother watching?
I guess I could read one of the many books on politics I have bought in the last 12 months but due to year 12 refrained, however even then people bickering on twitter is much more hilarious. My parents have never really understood why I love all things political, the debates our elected officials can have over the important issues, and the wonder of going into a building (Old and New Parliament House) that has seen great leaders walk its corridors, even just thinking about it makes me smile. The thought of having to go and vote come September makes me happy, but also in the next second sad at how woefully ignorant some people are, preferring to vote informally or to cast a donkey vote because they either don't care, understand or bother, because they think their vote doesn't matter, that their voice will not be heard. It saddens me to think that even though children are told at school they can do anything they want and be whomever they want to be, many young people could not give a toss who the Prime Minister is, or for what she (or he) stands for. Many people with whom I interact couldn't tell me who the Governor General or who the Leader of the National Party is, or traditionally what the Labor Party stand for (let alone the Liberal, National Party or the Greens). If myself, a self confessed political junkie doesn't feel the need to listen, what hope do those who think they are disenfranchised have at knowing what is going on?
It is a flaw in society to think politics should only be taught in schools, it is a flaw in society to think that the media have sole control over peoples views, and it is a flaw in our society that we are letting our politicians get away with running amuck. We (the voting population) have the choice on who we send to Canberra (and to our State Parliaments for that matter) and it is up to us to demand more. In our schools, workplaces and homes we should be having healthy debates about political issues rather than it being the elephant in the room. Given that here in Australia we have compulsory voting, political debate should not be shunned and pushed in the corner to deal with it another day, people should be excited about the prospect of engaging in diverse conversations and stretching the mind. We will not always agree with each other, but that is the exciting part of politics, it is a domain where two people can debate and it be called a job. We have different political parties because it is obvious that there are a diverse range of views and opinions in the community and that is a great thing. We should be attacking the issues, the topics and arguments not the people who say and believe in them. If we spend too much time attacking the person we will never be able to come to the best solution to fit the problems we face together. As at the end of the day, regardless of who is in power, the number of those unemployed could be reduced, and inflation needs to be maintained and our economy needs to keep running.
So maybe I will wake up tomorrow enthusiastic and be ready to start a hard day of living and breathing all things political... but then again maybe I will wake up and decide that I could clean my car. All I really know is that we need to have some smart conversations about the issues that are with us long term and forget the superficial crap that we seem to be so caught up in, because honestly I just want to jump up and down and be excited about politics again.
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