Get Up start ramping up

That fabulous organ of democracy - GetUp - are in pre-election mode.
Unlike most politicians, this means that they are canvassing people like you and I for our opinions and concerns.
Radical huh?

They are currently surveying their members and asking all kinds of intrusive and offensive questions like:
"Why do you think this election is important?"
(I'm paraphrasing) and they let you write as much as you like! Most of the rest of it is ticking boxes, so I thought I would share with you what came to me as I thought about that question. Coz it's a good question. I know a lot of people don't care about politics, but our world really is run on it (or fucked -up by it) whichever way you look at it, better to yell and throw a rock to get the bus to swerve this time.
C'mon - go have a look at their site! They don't expoect you to agree with everything, but give it a crack.
http://www.getup.org.au

So here's my rant:
"This is a pivotal time to make a difference in how we survive climate change. Howard's policitical maneuvering to keep all ecological issues sidelined has undermined our economy because the economy is based on a presumption of ecological stability and safety. Australia is geologically and ecologically vulnerable to the effects of climate change and we cannot go on under a leader to refuses to act in our greater interests.

Secondly, the shame of the Tampa, of our woeful track-record in the health and well being of our Aboriginal peoples, of our neglect for David Hicks, of our disregard as a country for those who have been abused, ill-treated and those who seek refuge has reached tipping-point. Once again, our country is looking for heartfelt leadership and compassion. No-one in this country wants prosperity at the cost of human kindness. The Howard Government has hidden behind this rhetoric for long enough, and must be called to account for the actions they took on our behalf.
Thirdly, our nation is caught in a short-sighted boom based on non-renewable resources. Where is the investment in the sciences and skills of the future? What do we have to offer China after all our ore is gone?
Fourthly, Fifthly and Sixthly, the mining of uranium, the wastage of water to corporations (and industries) and the increasing privitisation of our public services are all eroding our integrity and identity as a nation and as a caretaker for the future.
Finally, and seventhly, the creeping "churchification" (mostly via rhetoric I admit) of our governing bodies really pisses me off. We are a secular nation - all the better to embrace the peoples from many cultures and backrounds that make us up. This is enshrined in our constitution (section 116 I think from memory) and it specifically prohibits religious intrusions into state (secular) activites - for example Citizenship Ceremonies. Just as politicians ought to be scrupulous about declaring their share holdings, filing their original receipts for expense claims, so they ought keep their own staunch belief in an imaginary friend out of representational politics.

Thanks for listening."