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Why YOU should vote

There's a tendency amongst our generation in this country to too often turn to apathy as a result of disinterest; to ignore something when we think it doesn't affect us. That feeling of dissociation is something that the majority of politicians have relied on heavily so far. They feel as if they don't have to try to please us, because we won't vote anyway, and as such, we are ignored.

As of 2010 the current youngest generation of voters (those who have turned 18 in the past 10 or so years) composed an estimated 21% of the voting population. That voting power is not something to be underestimated: it could hold the balance of power in any election. 

Australia is a participatory democracy with compulsory voting. A vote is not a chore. It's not an annoyance, or a punishment. It's an obligation to freedom, it's an expression of your right to liberty. The two major parties, in the words of David Foster Wallace, are "keenly aware that it is in their interests to keep you disgusted and bored and cynical and to give you every possible reason to stay at home" on election day. By doing this, you're voting anyway. You're giving your vote to somebody else, doubling the worth of theirs while making your own worthless. 

This September 7th, get up and vote. Exercise your right to decide your own future, and the future of your children, and the future of your country. It's the greatest gift you'll ever get. "Have you ever stopped to ponder the amount of blood spilt, the volume of tears shed, the degree of pain and anguish endured, the number of noble men and women lost in battle so that we as individuals might have a say in governing our country? Honour the lives sacrificed for your freedoms. Vote." - R.E Goodrich

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Through the 112 years since Federation, the office of the Prime Minister has been the highest elected position in the land, held aloft; even amongst the millions of Australians whom seem to think blatant disrespect can always be laughed off as innocent larrikinism; as the most powerful job in the country.

Twenty six men have held this post, and while never completely popular, have been for the most part, respected. Amongst the Harold Holt jokes and the John Howard screwdriver episode, there's never really been much animosity expressed towards those in office aside from verbal admonishments and written attacks. 

As I grew up, for most of my younger life, the man in the top job was John Winston Howard, almost always referred to in the press and in general conversation as 'the Prime Minister'. So too with Kevin Rudd. 

Imagine then, if you will, my confusion as even after she won an election in her own right, our current Prime Minister was called, simply, Julia. 

There are also the nastier names: Juliar, the Bitch, etc.; all of them (not very subtly) encouraged by the Liberal National Party and its Parliamentary Leader Tony Abbott, and all of them fit more for the playground than the Parliament. 

This, in my opinion, is what you get when you run a seemingly endless political campaign based upon negativity and, in my view, cowardice: ignore the real issues, inflate the mistakes. Do away with reality and instead spread the unreal. 

According to the LNP, Australia is apparently a third world country on its last leg with a non-economy, destitute families living on the streets, constantly being swamped by tens of thousands of refugee boats and run by a tyrannical Communist witch with red hair and her minions whom have it at the top of their agenda to destroy our way of life. 

It's not surprising then that, after years and years of constant brainwashing encouraged by a mostly conservative media that we have school children that think it's alright to throw food at the elected leader of our nation. I mean, come on, I'm all for free speech, but unfortunately I have to draw a line when it comes to attempted assassination by playground food fights. 

It's sad and more than just a little disheartening to think that the generation below mine is being brought up with that sort of mentality: a mentality that says respect is just an option, and that because we're a 'free country' you're allowed to do what you want, even if that includes the pelting of a sanga at your Prime Minister. 

Unfortunately, kiddies (yes I can say that now that I'm 19), you're not. 

I wonder if Tony Abbott has any feelings of remorse over this situation, any feelings of regret when it comes to contributing to the raising of a generation infused with disrespect. If not, perhaps he would feel a slight rumbling of guilt if the next thing that hits our Prime Minister is a bullet. It's your fault, Mr. Abbott, this culture of violence. Not entirely, but mostly. The rest of the blame lands on the Liberal National lackeys, the Barnaby Joyces and the Christopher Pynes. Then it falls upon the shock jocks, the Alan Joyces, etc. After that, it filters down to the news agencies, the Fairfaxs' and the News Corporations.

It's a culture of disrespect bred by a conservative hatred for the office of the first female Prime Minister this country has ever had. 

If you're going to run a campaign of negativity, Mr. Abbott, perhaps it is best to stick to the knocking of policy, not the smearing of people. I imagine it's a tad embarrassing that a 19 year old is more capable of respect than you. 

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Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep, really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough.

Ernest Hemingway