Putting People in Power

A few weeks ago I invited you to comment on the shocking turn of events that lead to us getting a new Prime Minister, overnight!

The opinions of my readers seem to be split 50/50 when it comes to how we feel about Julia Gillard. Many people are thrilled to finally see a woman Prime Minister, while others are appalled at the way she appeared to have stuck the knife in Kevin’s back.

I also asked you who you would elect, if you could choose ANYONE in the world (answering which, would put you in the draw to win a free CD). The only 3 responses received were: John Farnham, myself and Marianne’s 3 year old. Given the shortage of entries, I naturally have no choice but to give it to the person who nominated me! Evidently, flattery does get you anywehere – and I CAN be bought! Hahaha! So, Janene, please contact me and let me know which of Rick Collingwood’s fantastic Hypnotherapy CDs you would like… and thanks again for your vote of confidence!

Anyway…. Now that the election has been called – and the August 21st date set – we all have some serious thinking to do!

Does the overthrowing of Kevin show rifts and instability below the surface of the Labor party?

Will Julia Gillard be banking on women around the country to vote for her, based on what psychologists call “partial or secondary identification”? In other words, will women let themselves be swayed by a perceived, inherent connection with Julia, simply because they are the same gender?

And what of Tony Abbott – his approval ratings are the lowest they have been since he became Liberal leader last year – so much so that the Liberal party has started removing him from their promotional material, so as not to ‘turn off’ voters.

But how much should the leader’s appearances, and our untenable perceptions of what they’re like “as people” really matter?Shouldn’t it all boil down to the policies, promises and their party’s track record?

With all that in mind, in can be difficult to know which way to vote.

I cannot tell you who to vote for, but I can point you to an interesting little test. News.com.au has created a fun little online quiz ‘What’s Your Politics?‘ Answer 15 questions about your responses to real-life scenarios from work, home and the pub… and the quiz will tell you how closely your views match those of the party leaders.

I found the results fascinating.  Click here to get yours.  It’s very true that sometimes the way we vote is not always the way we think. Sometimes we get stuck in habits of voting the same way we have always done, or the way our family does – but it’s important to put each party and their policies under the microscope each and every time we visit that ballot box.

So what issues are forefront in your mind this election?

There’s the mining tax, climate change, the health care reform, the compulsory internet censorship scheme and the National Broadband Network, asymlum seekers and immigration, the “Building Education Revolution”, and of course the perpetual problem of roads, water and housing.

To get MY vote, there needs to be less taxes, more incentives for natural therapies and more encouragement and support for Australian businesses in Australia, of all sizes. I would be interested to know just how many small to medium sized business have hit the wall, or gone completely under in these last 2 years, due to badly managed politics!