Torn
Monday night's are usually pretty scary at our place. My partiality for a spot of Supernatural is well documented. (For the people playing at home, tonight was all about the Dean. Or maybe the Sam. Damn! Still can't make up my mind)
But tonight I didn't know what was scarier - the Sleeping Beauty with Daddy issues, or Four Corners, which usually provides relief for my too-scary-even-for-the-pillow moments. For tonight was all about the Great Undecideds. Howard's Battlers. And boy did they make me feel like an educated, latte-swilling, elitist. I was typically dismissive of them, until MrB pointed out that these guys really represent The Average Australian. And then I got less dismissive and just really really sad. The future of our great nation is in their hands and they can't even string together a sentence. Unless it's a sentence that they've plucked from the front page of the Tele. Such as the fact that The Unions want power so they can get heaps of money from Australia. Like in the Eighties with Bob Hawke who wasn't good for the country. Yes it's a sentence, it just bears no relation to a) basic grammar or b) reality. (Let's conveniently ignore the fact that my own grammar leaves a lot to be desired)
Gah!
I'm torn between wanting Howard to get back in because by the time the next election rolls around, his 'battlers' will be have been so completely and utterly screwed by 'business' that they won't know what hit them, and, well, not wanting Howard to get back in, because, like, der...
I am such a snippy arrogant cow sometimes.
But this afternoon, driving home, the 2 main news items were firstly Howard's campaign launch and his out-and-out pork-barreling, and then secondly the atrocious state of Royal North Shore hospital and the NSW health system in general. The juxtaposition could not be clearer.
I do not want $400 to further exercise my 'choice' in regards to my children's education. I want my hospitals to be clean and adequately staffed. I want my schools to be well-resourced. I want to know that the less fortunate in society will be assisted and not left to rot in a gutter.
I want to not be left wringing my hands, despairing at the selfishness and hard-heartedness of my compatriots.
I just want this election to be over.
But tonight I didn't know what was scarier - the Sleeping Beauty with Daddy issues, or Four Corners, which usually provides relief for my too-scary-even-for-the-pillow moments. For tonight was all about the Great Undecideds. Howard's Battlers. And boy did they make me feel like an educated, latte-swilling, elitist. I was typically dismissive of them, until MrB pointed out that these guys really represent The Average Australian. And then I got less dismissive and just really really sad. The future of our great nation is in their hands and they can't even string together a sentence. Unless it's a sentence that they've plucked from the front page of the Tele. Such as the fact that The Unions want power so they can get heaps of money from Australia. Like in the Eighties with Bob Hawke who wasn't good for the country. Yes it's a sentence, it just bears no relation to a) basic grammar or b) reality. (Let's conveniently ignore the fact that my own grammar leaves a lot to be desired)
Gah!
I'm torn between wanting Howard to get back in because by the time the next election rolls around, his 'battlers' will be have been so completely and utterly screwed by 'business' that they won't know what hit them, and, well, not wanting Howard to get back in, because, like, der...
I am such a snippy arrogant cow sometimes.
But this afternoon, driving home, the 2 main news items were firstly Howard's campaign launch and his out-and-out pork-barreling, and then secondly the atrocious state of Royal North Shore hospital and the NSW health system in general. The juxtaposition could not be clearer.
I do not want $400 to further exercise my 'choice' in regards to my children's education. I want my hospitals to be clean and adequately staffed. I want my schools to be well-resourced. I want to know that the less fortunate in society will be assisted and not left to rot in a gutter.
I want to not be left wringing my hands, despairing at the selfishness and hard-heartedness of my compatriots.
I just want this election to be over.
posted by actonb at 10:21 pm
10 Comments:
I was utterly depressed by Four Corners. Seeing that couple, with the dental work from Arkansas, who were swayed to vote for Howard by the Great Debate made me understand how Charmaine Dragun felt. Yet Mr B is right - there must be tens of thousands of these gullible fools out there, in social circles I would never see - the Actual Howard Voters revealed.
The irony that here I am, probably paying more tax than the two of those poor sods earn in a year combined, yet I am the one wanting a Labor government and more spending on schools, hospitals and police, was not lost on me.
The only high point was the footage of women abusing Howard in that Penrith mall. I knew it must be happening - I know I wouldn't smile and shake the turd's hand - but you never ever see it on the news; it warmed my heart and gave me hope.
I am very scared. I haev still not yet received my postal vote form from the Aussie embassy here in London. I have called several times and they insist it has been sent to me.
What if John Howard wins by one vote and it's all my fault.
Must call the embassy for the third time today...
Original Mel,
You realise that before you told everyone that, we weren't sure who we would blame, right? Now all our (figurative) guns are pre-emptively pointed in your direction.... :)
AB,
I'm with ya. But you knew that already.
I'm sure that no one cares about the silly election promises.
They can't can they? Well its not like they are real promises. Remember there are the "core promises" and the "non-core promises".
Surely the average Australian isn't that stupid....I don't know any so where do they hide themselves?
Yes the election over will be good. I saw that show too and I was a bit annoyed by these swinging voters. They just regurgitated Howard's propoganda like they'd been brainwashed. And it seems to me the people who "swing" are just selfish and waiting to see "who's got the most money to offer ME" rather than what's best for the nation and our society.
Pick a team and stick with it!
I, too, was really disturbed by the show.
I just wanted to scream at the TV: "Try some critical thinking please, swing voters...and please, please don't believe everything you hear in the media!!"
AGGGHH!
I am not torn, at all, about whether I want Howard to get back in. I want to see that arrogant little toerag make a concession speech, and I AM NOT WILLING TO WAIT ANOTHER THREE YEARS.
Also, I want to be proud to be Australian again. It's been a while now.
Donnie - oh the teeth! the teeth! I was overcome with judgementalism, based purely on their dental hygiene. That's wrong isn't it?
But I missed the Howard-abuse. Bugger. Shall have to hunt down footage.
OMel - why are you postal voting? When the Republic Referendum went down, we made the trip up to London to vote in person. We did enjoy the irony of voting yes for the Republic while living in Mother England.
GW - I did :) And I too am glad we have someone to blame now!
KR - I'm starting to worry that yes, they really are that stupid. You didn't catch the show did you?
TMATP - I think that's what annoyed me most - the out-and-out selfishness of the swingers (hee, I'm 12). Even the one who wanted money spent on infrastructure wanted it spent because "I drive on roads". Hmmm...
Femikneesm - Hi! *waves* *wonders how to abbreviate* *gives up*. When I watch these shows, and hear these views, I worry that maybe I am just at fault, just as blinkered, just as likely to swallow ALP propaganda. But I hope that I can engage some critical faculties. Sometimes. I hope...
INC - You're getting so cranky young man! But your crankiness makes me proud to be an Australian, so that's a Good Thing.
AB, I'm off to Egypt tomorrow, and can't get into Australia House to vote.
However fear not! I drunkenly voted the other night! Filled in all 79 (or whatever) numbers below the line and everything. Only a drunk person would do that...
... or an incredibly anal-retentive person who takes her vote very seriously indeed.
I don't know anyone like that though ;)
Post a Comment
<< Home