So on Saturday, Australia voted and we elected a Coalition government. The flurry of dismay, outrage and anger that has littered social media has been something I've found quite distressing. Then I saw two little glimmers of moderation, which the authors have been willing to share with their friends (or 'friends') and the wider world.
Comment 1:
Comment 2 (in two parts because snipping tool didn't let me scroll down):
What they have said captures what I have been thinking about, that we are indeed all different, have different preferences and have the freedom to vote in whichever way we like. In addition, I would like to add the following thoughts:
1. It is a privilege to have mandatory voting in this country. In other parts of the world, you are not allowed to vote, for example, if you are a female. Our system, however flawed you believe the results to be, is also a system that is quite good. It is governed by a body that is separate from the government so that corruption and election fraud is not an issue. I am thankful that my country sees me as a valuable member of society who is entitled to a vote in a democratic nation.
2. Even if I don't agree with the policies (and the only thing I'll say here is that I think it very sad that foreign aid is to be cut), I am thankful that I don't get shot by the government for disagreeing. I don't fear for my life for saying in a public forum that I don't agree, or even hate something.
3. "But that's why we shouldn't be cutting foreign aid, because there are other people in this world who don't have this luxury! We shouldn't be turning boats back!" I hear some cry. I believe that running a country is extremely complex. There are so many issues. I'm not advocating one policy over the other. But I hope you know that it's super hard, and I wouldn't want to attempt to run this country with so many complex issues that all vie for attention, funding and solution. I know this won't be a satisfactory remark for some. But consider how complex the issues are. I don't believe there are any easy solutions when asked to run a country.
4. I find it utterly deplorable that so many of my friends on social media have descended into calling their fellow citizens awful names based on their political preferences. We're all different. We all vote differently because of a whole host of reasons. To pass judgement on individuals based on that one choice is fairly narrow. To call people disgusting, stupid, appalling and all sorts of other names that are not worth repeating (and offend me) is childish and unhelpful. We are still a nation together. Just because others don't agree with your views does not make them any less of a human. We're all created equal and all humankind deserves and demands respect. If you wish to delete me because I disagree with your political views, you can; I would like to express my sadness at losing such a friendship and suggest that maybe you'll be worse off for it.
5. I find it disturbing that a comment left on a swinging voter-friend's FB status was, "The only Christian way to vote is Labor." I am disappointed that one feels the need to demand a particular voting preference if one is to identify as Christian. There are many factors that go into voting. John Dickson wrote a fab article on the factors that a thinking Christian (which should be ALL of us!) should consider when casting a vote.
6. I would like to point out that unless you are in his electorate, one does not vote for Tony Abbott. Or Kevin Rudd. We vote for a party to represent us. Perhaps some of the Liberal candidates were better. Perhaps people didn't want their Labor candidate to represent them. This is the preferential system. We're not electing a supreme leader. I am thankful for this - we're not electing a dictatorship (consider the irony of this statement!!).
7. I am confident that most politicians do not get into politics to get famous. Nor use it as a platform to say whatever they like. Politics is obviously a very public and scrutinised life. I very much appreciated Julia Gillard's resignation speech, particularly when she spoke of politicians who work extremely hard and for the service of this country, which I believe to be true. Sure, perhaps there are some who are giving politics a stab who aren't ready for that life, but I'm confident that nobody in such a high position such as the role of Prime Minister is there to do anything except serve their country and to lead it forward in a way that they, and their party, see fit.
8. To all those who now wish to leave this country or stay elsewhere that allows you freedoms X, Y and Z: you are allowed to do so. Because your government lets you. Unless you pose a significant criminal risk or something else highly dangerous or suspicious, we as Australians are fortunate to be able to go outside our borders to explore the world and see what it's like. I am disappointed that people think that somehow their government is the sole reason for the shame that it is to be Australian. I might not like the government nor its policies, but I am also a citizen of Australia and a beneficiary of many good things of this country. I enjoy a high standard of living; even as a 'poor student' I still have my basic needs more than adequately covered, do not worry about when I will eat my next meal, have a bed to sleep in and do not fear for my safety beyond taking appropriate caution (as one would anywhere). I can hear the protests. See point 3. My point here is that I am still thankful for this country, so for those to say, "This country is stupid (replace with strong language as necessary)", I urge you to be thankful for what you do have, because it's pretty good. And use your privileged position to fight for those who don't have a voice.
9. And for the Christian point on this, 'slavery' here as alluded to by Mr Rudd last week might be a good point to be brought up now. Because slavery in the Bible is not referring to the slavery of the African-Americans that we immediately conjure up and abhor and condemn. It also refers to the relationship between a master and a worker, and to those with and under authority. And we are commanded to submit to authority, even if we do not agree with it, providing it is not wrong (I know, big word and vagueness abounds here, but I hope its meaning is captured and understood). This does not mean we might not disagree, or protest, but it does mean we need to respect and honour still.
If for some reason, you read this and decide you no longer want to be my friend nor connected to me because of my opinions, I refer to you the end of point 4.
