Hasbeen,

If is weren't for those "lefties" there would have been no political and social progress and no democracy, you need us.

Democracy isn't dead, and the choice is simple for all who can weigh up the potentials:
a) Vote for the Liberal or National candidate for the Reps, AND for the Senate, if you want Oz to have any hope of digging itself out of its current mess;
b) Vote for the Labor candidate in both houses if you want Oz to descend into such a black hole that you may then be finally convinced of your past and current folly;
c) Stick your head in the sand and vote informal;
d) Let your social conscience outweigh your common sense and vote for the Greens;
e) If you have an outstanding Independent offered for the Reps or the Senate, go for it;
f) If you refuse to vote informal, vote for Katter's or Palmer's candidate - it will amount to the same thing, but you can feel good about it;
g) If you really don't give a hoot, abstain and take the choice of identifying yourself as a religious objector (as has been suggested somewhere in an earlier post on this thread), OR do everyone a favour and remove yourself from the electoral roll.

It's really as simple as the Meerkat commercial; just open your eyes and ears, and exercise some grey matter.

In three years Abbott can't do too much harm and, with just a little luck and good management, may actually do some good.

With another three years, Rudd can bring Oz to its knees and see Labor go the way of the DLP - and that would be a shame, wouldn't it.

With a hung parliament, Oz can only linger in the depressing and thoroughly unproductive doldrums, until we get to do it all over again.

Your choice, but OURS and your children's future in the balance.
Make it a good one.

With a hung Parliament we get greater transparency rather than the 'going through the motions' committees with pre-determined outcomes. We get issues properly debated and as the last three years have shown things do get done. The worst possible outcome this election would be one party controlling both the House and the Senate. Fortunately the electorate seems to have an instinctive feeling that this is not a good idea.

In 2001 I was in bed the entire day of the election due to a migraine and woke up to find that Howard had won.

When asked why I didn't vote I wrote back that I didn't want to vote in a racist election.

I happily paid the fine.

This year we have another racist election with two sets of rich cowards tormenting and terrorising innocent human beings to win bogan votes.

I actually think Abbott might surprise and turn out to be one of our better PMs - at least, that is my impression given the amount of demented bile that the Progressives are exhibiting over him here in Oz.

I find it amazing how much they fear and loathe Abbott. I mean I'm a woman and I really don't understand the fear and loathing, it seems quite irrational - he gives back to the community more than any politician out there and surely on Planet Rational that should be a good thing. He has a successful marriage with three well-balanced daughters, so surely on Planet Normal that would be a good thing too. The only thing I can surmise is that we don't live on Planet Normal and Rational, and instead live in a topsy-turvy world where the irrational is applauded, and decent, moral and honourable people are ridiculed. All I can hope is the immature, the irrational and the immoral stay at home in bed on election day, leaving us adults with the responsibility of voting in an adult, responsible Government.

Can anyone recall ever reading a post by Marilyn Shepherd where the words "racist" or "racism" aren't flung about? Occurred to me, don't think I have ...

I agree the choices are ordinary at best and abominable at worst. Shall be backing Abbott because I believe the LNP is our best bet at getting sound financial management and stability over the next 3 years. He's not 'charismatic' but nor was Howard. John Howard cleaned up after Keating then left us in a sound position after 11 years. The mess Labor has made in 6 years will probably take another 10 years to fix.

As for asylum seekers - if they are coming through the front door via UN processing - yes, welcome to Australia. Please settle in and become Australian. Through the back door via illegal enterprise, costing us billions and giving b-all - No! I think the majority of Australian voters feel similar or even less sympathetic if Labors backflips and desperate attempts to stem the problem KRudd created are any indication. That's democracy for you Marilyn. Politicians realising they have to satisfy the will of the majority in order to win the right to govern. BTW - I will vote for any politician who vows to repeal the citizenship of any immigrant Australian who returns to the country of birth to engage in armed combat unless as a member of the Australian armed forces.

I sometimes think voting should be non-compulsory. However, under our current system there cannot be any argument about outcomes based on percentage of eligible people who actually voted. Cast a 'donkey' vote in protest if so desired. At least you've given it that much thought.