ELECTION DAY WATER

“What luck for rulers, that men do not think.” - Adolf Hitler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler

This morning, bright and early we walked to our local polling station a couple of kilometres from our house and we voted. It is Election Day today and it is predicted that we have a cliffhanger of a poll on our hands. The reigning conservative government is up for election for its fifth term in office and the arrogance of its leaders is overwhelming. I am surprised that the Australian people are mistaking this condescending self-importance for confidence and ebullience. There has been the usual mud-slinging and scare campaigns and our prime minister is hoping to be re-elected, counting on the grey vote.

Some polls are predicting a Labor party victory and most people I have talked to are wanting a change. Steve Rudd who leads the Labor Party is younger, has fresh ideas and some more moderate, progressive policies. His plan to ratify the Kyoto protocol was good news for me, as our present PM has mulishly resisted to ratify it. In any case, I am not holding my breath and I am avoiding watching the reportage from the National Tally Room in Canberra. I’d rather read about it in tomorrow’s paper.

Now, for Music Saturday, I am much in need of something relaxing, classic and soothing. One can’t go past some Water Music by George Friedrich Handel.



Enjoy your weekend!

Well, I did get to watch a bit of the election coverage after a friend rang us to tell us how quickly the electorate’s swing against the government started to manifest itself. It is now official, we have a new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd and the country is now in the Labor Party’s hands. The Senate votes are still being counted of course, and even in the House of Representatives some seats are still being contested. However, the Liberal Party has been defeated, and to add insult to injury, John Howard has lost his own seat of Bennelong…

Let us hope that all the pretty flowery speeches of the new Prime Minister elect will be converted into meaningful action. It was about time we had change and the new leader brings fresh ideas for the future…