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Who are you really voting for?

Well…here’s the situation. Soon, Australians will awaken to cast their votes for the next Prime Minister. But whom will you choose, and is your vote truly going where you intend it to?

These may seem like rather silly questions, and in a rational world, they are indeed silly questions.

Tomorrow, first-time voters will head to the polls, while some may be voting for the last time. Outside the polling stations, party representatives will be present, suggesting how you might prioritize your choices—so it begs the question, if they don’t succeed (and mostly won’t), where will your vote likely land?

Many young voters remain unaware of the impacts on their lives, perhaps aside from the young mine workers who could face substantial taxation under a Labor government, and the older generation who might also be confused about the current state of affairs. I don’t intend to sound disrespectful, nor do I wish to offend any seniors, but the media evolves so rapidly these days. The pace of life has accelerated immensely.

What happened to the days of door-to-door campaigning? I may not be alone in this sentiment, but I truly dislike the door knockers—those well-meaning volunteers who feign knowledge about current events. They’re reminiscent of mobile phone salespeople who spout nonsense without actually understanding the network…seriously, who hires these individuals?

However, I digress…the crux of the matter is that people often do not receive a clear understanding from television broadcasts, and political parties have little interest in educating younger individuals to ensure they don’t misrepresent themselves at the doorstep.

While we live in an era dominated by media hype, it appears that voters now seem to switch allegiances every four years. In the past, community politicians would engage in conversations at your home, allowing your father to share that he was a decent person, and because of those personal interactions, that’s who you would decide to vote for. The politician didn’t even need to delve into political discussions; trust and everyday talk about jobs and typical working-class topics sufficed.

This all stems from media influence, which is undeniably a great business model—it truly is the best approach. With communication being as effective as it is, it’s hard to miss the mark. It’s the way forward, whether you like it or not.

Nonetheless, there are still people who have no clue about this “modern media” landscape. When they see politicians on their screens, it becomes difficult to trust someone who appears on a flat screen. They come from a time when “word of mouth” was the premier technology, that was the most reliable media channel.

For them, their vote might not carry genuine weight, because trust has become a rare commodity.

“If you can’t look me in the eye and tell me…”, and of course, appearing on television makes it almost impossible to engage every viewer directly.

The world has shifted dramatically since the days of the older generation.

As you arrive at the polling station, I return to my question: where is your vote going? When Tim Cahill nets the winning goal, when Matthew Pavlich scores the decisive point, or when Mark Webber and Casey Stoner cross the finish line first, it usually indicates a victory. However, this isn’t the reality when it comes to voting—AND IT SHOULD BE.

The National Party is casting their votes for the Liberals, while the Greens are supporting Labor. But what if I prefer neither Labor nor the Liberals in power? Furthermore, all the smaller parties will undoubtedly attempt to nudge you toward their preferred choices as well.

It’s a ridiculous system. Indeed, it is. It shouldThe politician who secures the highest number of votes will emerge victorious! This suggests that the Liberals might receive more votes than Labor; however, if the Greens garner significantly more support than the Nationals, then Labor will ultimately win the seat or vote.

When hiring for a position, would you opt for a candidate who might not match your ideal dress code but possesses the necessary skills, or a polished individual who lacks common sense yet presents well and maintains a cheerful demeanor? Who would you genuinely prefer?

In the image promoting the Greens’ effort to attract votes, we see “the lettuce girls.” Is this a serious attempt, or are they mocking the process? The idea of showcasing some attractive, lively women to sway votes seems desperate and absurd. It’s not merely the Greens; this sentiment extends to the entire political spectrum.

Consider asking yourself, “who precisely are you casting your vote for?” Utilize the media to your benefit; don’t allow smooth talkers to captivate you on television. Instead, explore their website to understand their intentions. Historically, figures like Hitler were remarkably effective at political speech; paradoxically, he was also one of the most heinous individuals to ever exist. Notably, he never spoke directly into the cameras but rather focused on THE PEOPLE. It’s worth noting that, despite his actions leading to the deaths of millions, he pioneered a media-driven political approach. What we term propaganda today was an attempt by Hitler’s team to market themselves most effectively. Adolf Hitler was a compelling speaker and quite photogenic…but did that qualify him for the role? The rise of television, radio, and film facilitated the mass communication of ideas, which mirrors today’s political landscape.

Please take the time to consider who you are voting for carefully. Avoid skepticism, as the truth is all we genuinely seek.

No wonder faith in politicians is so low.

by Sel Hurst

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