what do you mean it's 3am already

[reverancepavane]

State elections tomorrow in SA. I think this is about the third election I can remember where the general public seems particularly unenthused. Or is it just me? Of the two major parties, one of which is expected to form the state government, the arguments on each side have boiled down to one group of politicians have been in for too long, and the other doesn't have the experience. Considering that elections in Australia are more often lost than won, it looks probable that there will be a change. Then again, there really is little to distinguish the major parties – they all appear, in the main, to be politicians, rather than statesmen. <grin> I have the feeling that this election is going to increase the demands for increased federalisation, and the elimination of the middle layer, which is a shame, as technically we are a Commonwealth (although I don't believe that that has been true for some time). Although one does admit that Australia is one of the countries with the highest per capita number of politicians (not confusing the status of politician with elected official, of course). Still, it's interesting that the thing I am most looking for is comparing the sausage sizzle at the various local polling booths. I suspect my ward still has the best in the neighbourhood, though. I wonder if Friends of the Library will be at the Civic Centre with their chocolate crackles again (they always overburden me with chocolate crackles when I buy lots of books at the library sales). And afterwards there is a rather poorly advertised SF Quizz Night in North Adelaide. If you are available they could probably use more attendees.

Comments

[maelorin]

it's been a very bland, grey campaign season.

no real policy debate. no real policy. no real. no. *thud*

the two hardest questions this time are: where to vote, and who to vote for (who *not* to vote for is pretty easy ... so many useless single-issue 'enthusiasts')

as for this evening? i may be attending. much has yet to be confirmed about what the hell is going on today.

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

It might be easier for you to vote in the Adelaide electorate. It's probably your closest booth (Gilbert St Primary). As for this evening, it will be most pleasant to see you as I believe you are on my table. <grin> And I agree. I knew exactly who not to vote for in the lower house. The remaining candidates were very much the same. Actually quite good candidates on an individual level, but essentially crippled by their political leadership. And for the first time there was a party with my preferred preference distribution (ie, avoid the loonies) in the Assembly, so it was quite simple to vote above the line (for the first time ever). Although, I suppose, most people would consider them a single-issue loony party anyway. Oh well.

[maelorin]

ah, my 'maybe' has been kept open on the 'sure' side of the line :D

it is quite possible that we might both be attending (monique and myself)

[freyaw.livejournal.com]

My local polling place's sausage sizzle had run out of sausages by the time I got there. At 12:30pm. Someone screwed up the organisation there, methinks... But the orange cake was nice :)

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

There was a slight reduction in quality of sausage at my polling place, although they continued to provide real paper napkins and excellent bacon and egg sandwiches. Then again, I am firmly within a Liberal ward (although the Labour candidate lives at the end of my street). Then again the differences between New Labour and the Liberals are kind of moot, especially at the State level. Although it was also decidedly lacking in voters as well. Absolutely no waiting for voting and the pollsters outnumbered the voters. The sizzle stall was positively enthusiastic when I came over to grab lunch. And deciding to invest in the next expansion to Spectromancer this morning doesn't help. That basilisk is nasty. I suspect they have gone the standard card-game approach that the new stuff has to overpower the old stuff or no one will buy it. Whatever happened to play balance?

[shadow-5tails.livejournal.com]

This is a dilemma I expect to face later in the year - there really isn't much to distinguish the two "opposing" parties any more. It's like a game of musical chairs or something, the way they take turns at being the ones doing and the ones protesting the doing...

[reverancepavane.livejournal.com]

At the state level politicians are increasingly becoming politicians and superfluous. There is little statesmanship (good or bad), so the perception of people lining up at the public trough is quite enhanced. Although this is unfair to some. Quite a few members do lots of stuff individually; it's just when the party policies they are expected to support are fairly indistinguishable. I was actually quite surprised that Labour was returned in SA, so their fear campaign ("the Liberals have no experience")actually seemed to work. Of course, the problems with the Federal level of the party didn't help, as far too many people confuse them. And my wish that Gamers 4 Croydon could oust our imbecilic Attorney General from his safe Labour seat was obviously not granted. I really must launch my Orbital Mind Control Laser* sometime. Although I was quite a mused to discover that the Greens do have the balance of power in Tassie. 5 Greens, 10 Labour, and 10 Liberal. <grin> * Tomorrows Technology Today. Up There.