Ok enough of the squirrels and cute cards...

I've been pretty silent on the election on here, mainly because I think of my blog as a scrapbook, and not a news site. I like filling it with the things I love, and politics is not one of them.

Also, because of my work I can't really say much, plus I'm suffering election fatigue at the moment.

But.... before it passes us by, I just thought I'd add my 2 cents, which is nothing to do with who to vote for, or what issues to vote on, but a general comment on the election.

It really disappoints me that this election in particular has been a race to the middle, to lowest common denominator. It's been a campaign devoid of conviction, and bursting at the seams with populism.

It means both parties are running on fear of losing power, and not on the hope and promise of a better Australia. I lament the fact our leaders don't seem to realise we elect them to make tough decisions, not necessarily popular ones.

The silly thing is, I think deep down people would much rather a leader of conviction they disagree with, than a leader who rushes to please the majority at every point. Some of most significant decisions in history have been made when people have been anxious about the unknown, but been willing to back the judgement of a fearless leader. Immigration is one such issue. Lots of people would've been terrified about the arrival of boatloads of Vietnamese refugees following the Vietnam War, and yet does anyone think we should've stopped the boats?

The other awful consequence of populism is the way money is siphoned into marginal seats and towards the big ticket issues that will guarantee votes. Argh!!! The waste! There are so many more important places for money to go.

I was definitely challenged earlier this year when Con Campbell spoke at my church on how to vote, saying we have a responsibility to vote selflessly, in the interests of the poor and defenceless. I voted yesterday and boy, it was hard. And I don't believe any party is really worthy of electing this year. But I rejoice in our democracy, and I rejoice in the freedom to exercise my democratic right, and I'm praying our leaders would lead by example, challenge our prejudices, and do what is right by the most vulnerable.