Elections are coming up. What are we thinking?

**unstuck** · 20th September 2014, 07:57

**Laava** · 20th September 2014, 09:47

Gunna go and exercise my perrogative in one of those little booths now.

**george formby** · 20th September 2014, 12:01

Just been. Heartening to see a busy voting station.

**Oakie** · 20th September 2014, 12:09

Hmmm. I guess, in theory, this thread should be deleted today as it asks people who they are votng for.

**Motu** · 20th September 2014, 12:27

Just been for my morning walk...and figured out who I'm voting for now.

**Brian d marge** · 20th September 2014, 12:50

Originally Posted by Laava

Gunna go and exercise my perrogative in one of those little booths now.

Make sure u clean it up ....

Stephen

**bluninja** · 20th September 2014, 12:54

I voted earlier in the week. Done the Facebook thing to encourage others to vote. Would be great for NZ to get 85% turnout for the election like Scotland did for the referendum. If you don't like the current democratic process then you have to work within the current system and vote.

Even though Scotland voted in favour of remaining within the union, the debate, and the "losing" voters have caused a significant shift in the political landscape of the United Kingdom that will be felt for generations to come. Only a non vote is a wasted vote.

**bogan** · 20th September 2014, 13:02

Originally Posted by bluninja

I voted earlier in the week. Done the Facebook thing to encourage others to vote. Would be great for NZ to get 85% turnout for the election like Scotland did for the referendum. If you don't like the current democratic process then you have to work within the current system and vote.

Even though Scotland voted in favour of remaining within the union, the debate, and the "losing" voters have caused a significant shift in the political landscape of the United Kingdom that will be felt for generations to come. Only a non vote is a wasted vote.

On the other hand, dirty election with fuck all voting issues resulting in lowest voter turn out ever would send a message too.

**ellipsis** · 20th September 2014, 13:14

Originally Posted by Motu

Just been for my morning walk...and figured out who I'm voting for now.

...I was still undecided as to who were the lesser bunch of cunts up until mid morning...it was a conversation regards that with my son, (first election) that made up my mind. It was down to his guidance and views that changed my, not very well made up, mind...he was also on his phone to young eligible to vote mates of his, cajoling them to get out and do it...not voting is like watching rust develop in the car you love, and doing fuck all about it, in my opinion...

**Laava** · 20th September 2014, 13:18

Originally Posted by ellipsis

.....not voting is like watching rust develop in the car you love, and doing fuck all about it, in my opinion...

Naughty naughty Ellipsis...

Trap set and baited. Waiting now for inevitable vitriolic diatribe....

**Berries** · 20th September 2014, 13:28

Originally Posted by bluninja

Would be great for NZ to get 85% turnout for the election like Scotland did for the referendum.

Highly unlikely. In Scotland a Yes vote would have made massive changes for the whole country, it would have affected everyone so no wonder it had a high turnout. The issue has been bubbling away for hundreds of years and actually meant something.

No matter who wins here today there will be sod all difference come Monday. It is not like any party will actually change anything fundamental. I can't think of any differences in my life between this lot or the previous lot that aren't of my own doing so frankly cannot be bothered with the whole circus.

Originally Posted by bluninja

Only a non vote is a wasted vote.

In the Scottish context I would agree with you because it was either yes or no with direct consequences. In New Zealand though I would have to sum up that t-shirt slogan with a simple meh, non voters don't care.

**Berries** · 20th September 2014, 14:04

Originally Posted by Laava

Trap set and baited. Waiting now for inevitable vitriolic diatribe....

Hardly, the analogy makes no sense whatsoever. If my car was going rusty I would fix it. If I thought the country was going rusty and that by voting in someone else they would remove that rust I would vote for them.

It all boils down to whether you think the country is rusty or not and whether there are any panel beaters out there who are going to cut it out and fix it properly. Or are they just going to stuff a bit of bog in there so it looks good for about three years?

**Motu** · 20th September 2014, 14:11

Originally Posted by bogan

On the other hand, dirty election with fuck all voting issues resulting in lowest voter turn out ever would send a message too.

This is what Slater and his cronies were working on last election, and got the lowest turnout in decades. Low turnout favours the right, creating apathy is a tactic - don't fall for it.

**bogan** · 20th September 2014, 14:16

Originally Posted by Motu

This is what Slater and his cronies were working on last election, and got the lowest turnout in decades. Low turnout favours the right, creating apathy is a tactic - don't fall for it.

So, to thwart the right's tactic of convincing me not to vote, you're saying I should go and vote for them?

**haydes55** · 20th September 2014, 14:17

Originally Posted by Berries

Hardly, the analogy makes no sense whatsoever. If my car was going rusty I would fix it. If I thought the country was going rusty and that by voting in someone else they would remove that rust I would vote for them.

It all boils down to whether you think the country is rusty or not and whether there are any panel beaters out there who are going to cut it out and fix it properly. Or are they just going to stuff a bit of bog in there so it looks good for about three years?

Exactly the problem, there's no panel beaters to vote in.