In Australia we have a secret ballot. To me that is a great thing. It should be nobody else's business how we voted or how we intend to vote. However, we have polls to show trends in voting, exit polls and other polls to determine how we will or have voted. Parties tailor their strategy to pre-election polls, and knowledge of exit polls can affect voting. The expression of our wishes should be confined to the official polls. I think the proper response to questions about our intended or actual vote should be, "None of your business."

Dear David,

I can't help wondering how many people answer truthfully
in polls? I suspect many don't tell the truth and that's
why polls often are not accurate. Plus there's such a variety
of voters - ranging from age groups, to gender, to political
affiliations, and the list goes on. I imagine that pollsters
have a difficult job to do - and their information should
only be used as a guide, not as a certainty. Predicting things
is risky at the best of times as we found out in past elections
that supposedly were "winnable."

Dear Foxy,

Political parties are collections of special interests. Pre-election polls tell what the voters want. Knowing what the voters want parties can tailor their campaign to what the voters want. However, what the parties actually do when in office is determined by what the special interests want not by the thrust of their campaign if it is based on what the voters want. If parties were honest in their campaigns they would make clear what the special interests want. If what the special interests want appeals to the voters the voters will vote for them. Pre-election polls serve the cause of dishonesty in political parties.

Polls are one of those wastes that need cutting !
What we need more of are referendums !

Hi David,

Some interesting history concerning voting in Australia. I do believe in one colonial election, where men only had the vote, and the voter had to write his preferred choices name on a piece of paper, at another time only one voter at a time was let into the polling room, very slow. Sometimes elections were spread over several day. All sorts of systems have been tried at various times, creating their own problems.

I think only a healthier mentality can ensure better outcomes & to achieve that we need to literally instantly rid ourselves of the present education policies & the implementors.
To achieve that we need a mentality-building culture & to achieve that we need a National Service scheme.
We have to work on developing a mentality that sees drug abuse as what it really is, a very, very poor & destructive mentality !
We need more chooks & fewer tapeworms !

Indy,

What you really want is a population of the regimented who think and act like yourself, you ridicule diversity and difference, you can't accept
antithetical views and opinions, they are perceived as a danger to the new social order. Like the National Socialist of the Hitler era, or the Stalinist's of the Soviet Union you believe a society populated by "right thinking people" will deliver stability and social order for the common good of the majority. The problem is you always have the "undesirables" within society who you view as a threat to social order, often the dangers presented by these "undesirables" are overstated or they are scapegoated as the causes of the ills that beset the new society and must be dealt with accordingly, often brutally.

There is no compulsion to answer pollsters. There is no need to make a fuss. Just say no, or hang up. It's no big deal.

Dear ttbn,

Of course, you are right, a person doesn't have to answer the polls. Why do so many people feel they have to answer?

david f,

I can't say why, but I guess that they are caught on the hop when the phone rings, or if a confident person confronts them on the street? They think that it is rude not to answer? They think that the boogie man will get them? Who knows? The average person is not good at dealing with unexpected intrusions.

If I am in a good mood, I will hang up, walk on without looking at the intruder or, if in a bad mood, tell them to eff off.

Fortunately, I am ex-directory now that the NBN has taken over home phones, and I don't give anyone my mobile number. But, most of all, I have no desire to be 'mixed up in things' or attract attention to myself.

Why do so many people feel they have to answer?
david f,
Those who care will always answer in the hope that they'll be taken notice of & help make things better !

Do a poll on OLO and you will find a 90% vote for Pauline Hanson thanks to the Usual Suspects, it might be slightly out of touch with reality, just like those Usual Suspects, 1952 was a great year, right fellas.

1952 was a great year, right fellas.
Paul1405,
God no, you were hatched then !

To paraphrase Hans Christian Andersen -
no matter when or where you're born
in a duck yard, or in a comfortable nest,
as long as you are hatched from a swan's egg
that's what matters.

Foxy,
Well, isn't it the Swan that is the elitist in the Bird-World ? At least that what I always thoght after all, there's even an Opera about Swans but I haven't heard of an Opera about Vultures ! ;-)

indyvidual,

There are many birds in opera and literature.
Your local library would be a good place to start.

Foxy,
Australian Libraries don't cater for non-leftists !

indyvidual,

I don't want to insult your intelligence by accepting
that you really believe what you just said.

Public libraries are among this country's most popular
institutions, providing free and equitable access to
vast collections of books, films, music, and much more.

Libraries nurture endeavours of all kinds, providing a
place for people of all persuasions to write, create,
learn, engage deeply, and gain knowledge or craft in
any field. Libraries play a fundamental role in
ensuring that everyone is included in their local, state,
or national cultural life.

My daughter is wise. Although she lights the candles on Friday night, the Jewish sabbath, sings in the Unitarian church choir on Sunday and attends a Buddhist sangha on Sunday afternoon she told me her basic belief is in the public library. Before she retired from the school system she introduced many 'culturally deprived' children to the joys of reading and the library.

The library is an institution which provides an avenue to enter a world of culture. Every month the library drops a bunch of books at my door. It is a wonderful program. It is meant for the disabled, but since I am very old the library includes me. The library knows my tastes, and many of the books are interesting to me. One book the library left was "The Ode less travelled" by Stephen Fry. It's about the structure of poetry. Fry includes many examples along with delightful commentary. I bought my own copy. When I woke this morn I went from bed to verse.

Dear David,

Libraries mean the world to me. I have helped many people
though my work - that even today they come up to me
when I'm shopping to say hello. Libraries to me are as
vital as breathing. Books have had a huge impact on my life.
Supporting libraries I consider vital.

Hi Foxy and David,

The Brisbane City Council Library, a free lending library with its 33 branches is one of the best assets available to the people of Brisbane. It about more than "books", it has a whole range of services including a "Games" club every Tuesday, heaps for children, regular interesting guest speakers, etc etc. Foxy gave me the thumbs up for "Sarah Maddison's 'The Colonial Fantasy' didn't have a copy at my local branch, but order online and I had it in 2 days no problem, free shipping from another branch.

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/council-venues-and-precincts/libraries

Dear Paul,

It is amazing the job that libraries do.
And as you and David have pointed out - they
definitely are an asset to our communities.

that you really believe what you just said
Foxy,
Well, Years ago when I was very much into a particular history I made many requests for photocopies from Libraries. Several times I visited & sometimes got what I was enquiring about.
One incident that sticks in my mind is when an elderly lady from the Library showed me Water colour paintings of a particular scene depicting (european) artefacts. I didn't see at that time how interesting this would become for me not long after I placed it back into its particular drawer. Only weeks later I contacted the Library to ask if I could get a photocopy of this painting & was told "we don't have that". I told the woman on the phone that it was in that & that drawer as I had placed back there myself. "Anyhow, we're too busy & under-staffed" was the abrupt reply. A few days later I spoke with another women there & got pretty much the same answer. Fast forward ten years-I ran into an indigenous producer & I mentioned this painting & he exclaimed " Yeah, great painting, I got a copy not long ago from the ... State Libray" !
So, I called that Library again and, "we don't have it" !
In the late 70's & early 80's the Libraries were great but that changed dramatically when the not-so-genuine Librarians began to command them !

indyvidual,

What does any of that have to do with your saying
that "Australian libraries don't cater for non-Lefties?"

Ah Foxy,

Looks like Indy has discovered another "nest of Communist" they're down at the local library. When the Indy mob take over, there will be the mandatory book burning, 95% of material will be deemed inappropriate, and 95% of staff sacked. Left wing filth like 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'Guilliver's Travels' will certainly burn. All is not lost however, we'll be able to borrow appropriate reading material such as 'Mein Kampf' and listen to recordings of Wagner. Oh the joy of it all, just can't wait.

What does any of that have to do with your saying
that "Australian libraries don't cater for non-Lefties?"
Foxy,
We know you're a devout Leftie but please don't pretend to be that silly. You know exactly what I'm on about !

indyvidual,

Sorry, I really don't know what you're on about.

indyvidual,

You made the statement about me that "We know that you're
a devout Leftie..."

I consider myself in the center politically and I favour
moderate positions. Those not to far toward either end
of the spectrum. I certainly don't have extreme
revolutionary views such as those who espouse communism
and I don't have extreme nationalistic viewpoints such as
fascism or other oppressive ideologies.

So you don't know as much as you think you do.

Hi Foxy,

I once watched an interview with an American NAZI leader, he thought Adolf Hitler was "too liberal", the thing is, he was serious and believed it! Its all a matter of perspective, there were those who believed Ronald Reagan was a Communist. Indy do you believe Ronnie was a Communist? Me thinks so.

Dear Paul,

Opinions or worse - beliefs, have become a shield of
very poorly conceived notions that have wormed their
way into social media. What I find disturbing is that
some people think any thing that challenges their ideas
is equivalent to an attack on their beliefs.

A belief is something you have good reason to think is more likely than not to be true.
Many persons say they have beliefs.
But rarely do they give any valid reason to justify their stance.
And worse: they think you should 'just accept things' as they do.
They can become quite unreasonable if you dare to question their ideas.
Clearly, they are not using reason, so must be instinctive behaviour instead?
Should we discuss which particular instincts are at play in their heads?
Which of these give rise to their peculiar attitude to life?
Perhaps then we could use reason to lead these so called 'believers' to a more 'enlightened' place?
But, I doubt it said the Carpenter....

"None of your business", a little story; This morning I purchased a new pair of boots from K-Mart Westfield. The wife then wanted to go into Big-W in the same centre. On leaving the Big-W my boots were clearly visible in our shopping trolley, as I exited the store a "Karen", as my son calls middle aged women on shop doors or self-serve checkouts, accosted me regarding the boots; something like "Are those shoes from HERE!"...."No they are from K-Mart" ....."Do You have a receipt"...."Yes, somewhere" I said...."Show it to me!"....with that rather abrupt aggressive attitude I said "NO!" (actually I wasn't sure where I had put the receipt, at home it was in the boots)... I said; "and besides I have no legal obligation to answer your demands"....She said; "Yes You Do!"..."Who are you, a police officer?"... in parting I added; "Goodbye, have a nice day"....."I will, I will, no thanks to you" she said. Takes all kinds.

Dear Paul,

Wow. Congrats! Not sure how I would have behaved.

I've often been stopped at Big W - with a staff member
asking to check my shopping bags - but they've always
been polite

Indy do you believe Ronnie was a Communist?
Paul1405,
I wouldn't know what he was, he never told me & something tells me that he didn't tell a lot of people what he really thought. Only indoctrinated Lefties constantly claim to know what others think !
All I know is from a few former East Germans that once he pushed that wall down they had slightly more money but their social & cultural life was stuffed & still is as I'd always suspected it would be !
But, that's the mentality there where culture & lifestyle are more valued than money & I can relate to that also. What Reagan didn't tell the East Germans up front was that once that wall was down they'd be overrun by you know whom !

Hi Foxy,

Some years back a neighbour of ours was a door lady at Big-W, a very pleasant woman, nice to talk to. The woman yesterday was just a bit over the top with her aggressive attitude, that's all. I notice the difference if you go into K-Mart or Big-W on the weekend and a young casual is on the door you could wave your laundry list at them as proof of purchase, the kids don't give a stuff in general.
p/s The wife said; "glad it was you this time and not me".

Odd thing, The other day I went through a self-serve at a Wollies store, when I pressed "pay" I got a message something like, "complete item purchase". I called over the young attendant..."what this"....She said; "they are trailing a "new system" which detects items in your trolley or bag not yet processed, and she pointed to the ceiling, I did have a box of Colgate tooth paste I purchased from the chemist, seems Woolies sell it as well, is it Big Brother at work.

Dear Paul,

My experiences when out shopping have all been positive.
Maybe because I walk with a walker. People smile at me,
talk to me, and are very friendly. I've not encountered
anyone unpleasant - so far. Even young people stand back
and let me go in first.

Sadly, the dishonesty of so many forces so much surveillance onto society. Big Brother has to watch because little brother is dishonest !
Then there there are the Woke who can't stomach that people who through effort & sacrifice get ahead of them so, they turn against symbiosis & become parasites by either legislation and/or connivery or both ! Reward for effort is portrayed as greed & real greed is portrayed as success ! Woke Legislators lead many into poverty & when those poor become desperate & do what comes natural, the Woke will trample them again with legislation.

indyvidual,

You're not making any sense again.

You're not making any sense again.
Foxy,
I'm still waiting for you to surprise me with a question !

indyvidual,

We're all waiting for you to provide at least
one comment that makes any sense.