Election year - yes it is.

We still have a democracy which I no longer take for granted given what has happened in other parts of the developed world. It’s a new concept, this thing we call democracy, and hundreds of millions of people have died fighting for this cause.

Is it the best form of selecting leaders of a country? Maybe. But we do like the feeling of voting in and out of power, politicians who do or do not serve our needs.

This year's election feels different to me.

MMP and this coalition gig has been a new addition to our political elections and it feels we are still trying to work out how to use it well. I mean how the hell do you vote for a particular party to find they go into coalition with another party that then come out with policies you would never vote for.

That shit really troubles me.

Then there’s the lobbying game that seems to have crept into our politics. Like a mini USA political game. This is very new behaviour and needs to be sorted as soon as possible. I do not want to vote for a party that some dodgy corporation is influencing for favours down the track. I want parties to have to disclose who’s pulling their strings behind the scenes. 

That shit really bothers me.

Taking personal pot shots at each other is school yard crap. Scribble face, horse features, too skinny, too fat - I don’t want to listen to this coming from our politicians or commentators. Thrash the policies out people, not the personal barbs. We are not Trump. We are better than that.

What I do want is some long term smarts. Thinking about how to make us more resilient to international shocks. Here’s an example: How are we placed when China invades Taiwan? What diplomatic position will we take? 

I would really like to see New Zealand grow some balls and take a stand on Genocide and not be a wee vanilla nation trying not to upset the major players. I’m proud we stood up to the USA on nuclear pressure. I want to live in a country with a morale backbone. I want to live in a country that cares for the natural world.

We are a small country with a big influence on the world stage because our democracy functions, and we can do things others can’t. So we need to use that freedom and show what can be done.

As a voter this is your time to listen, read, or get out and meet the candidates. Debate and converse with these brave people putting themselves on the public stage. And maybe even change your mind.

Personally I’m a swing voter. I want the politicians to win my vote with vision, determination and hope. I want to hear a desire to create a world for my grandkids. That’s who I want to vote for. I have argued that people over 65 should not get a vote as it’s not their future we are voting for. I'm now over 65 and I am going to vote, and I’m going to vote for what I think is best for my moko. In the future as they get older and I’m still kicking I want to ask them who I should vote for. I want them to know their views are important.

When thinking of my moko, and their future, I’m concerned with the lack of ambition coming from our Political Leaders. Being ambitious means we need to take risks, otherwise we will continue to slide as we are now. If the slide continues my moko (and yours) will have a worse standard of living than you do now. 

So thinking of my moko helps me with my personal biases and helps me zoom out. Am I voting for what's going to be best for me or what I think is best for the nation?  That's always an interesting lens to use. If I’m voting for my moko I will be voting for what's best for the nation.

And fact check. There’s much bollocks out there that is believed by people to make them feel better. Check the facts. The facts might be uncomfortable. Listen to economists or informed commentators and also remember they have biases as well.

From my good mate Justin Connor (who introduced me to this view point):

"Your imperfect ally is not your enemy."

Treat you ally’s well, whoever they may be in this election year.

But most of all - be an informed voter.

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Photo Credits:

Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash

Photo by Kevin Grieve on Unsplash

Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash