Vote, vote, vote

[labellementeuse]

Hey, guess what? It's an election year! I know, I know, I've been a little lax in the area of political ranting lately. But here, have a PSA: ENROL TO VOTE. In New Zealand, it is actually compulsory to enrol to vote if you're eligible, so you're being law-abiding as well as exercising your right as a citizen or permanent resident. EVEN IF YOU ARE OVERSEAS, now and at election time, if you're a citizen and have been in NZ in the last THREE YEARS, you can still enrol to vote, and eventually vote either by ballot or in person at diplomatic postings in your country of residence (I know, cool eh?)

I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone that this is a terrifically nerve-racking election for me. GO. ENROL. VOTE.

Comments

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

I agree with many of their policies, but I believe they're unconscionable ignorant about science and would be an unsustainable government. In a nutshell.

Also, my parents are dyed-in-the-wool volunteer-pamphlet-handerouters on-their-suburb's-branch-of-the-electorate redredred Labour supporters. They hold fundraising dinners for Annette King every year (with fun guest speakers like Jonathan Hunt and Michael Cullen!) My Dad goes to their conferences. They're so committed, when they have problems with the government (for example, the recent-ish report of a few years ago that indicated circumstances of people in poverty may have worsened under this government) they actually *go through proper channels* in an attempt to indicate their distress to the party. I would probably be disowned.

[blythely.livejournal.com]

IAWTC about the Greens x100000000.

Sadly. My dream is an efficient, evidence-based political party with the long view.

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Keep dreaming, I'm afraid!

[amarynth.livejournal.com]

I know we've kind of covered this before (the electromagnetic radiation argument in particular). On the one hand, I agree that at times the Greens seem technophobic. On the other hand, at times they seem too technophilic, or rather sciento-philic (or whatever) - by which I mean excessively deferential to the scientific community when it comes to framing policy.

A lot of people say they want political parties that are more responsive to scientific arguments, but I'm not aware of Physics or Biochemistry having a lot to offer on the issue of, say, access to housing, or provision of healthcare, any more than Neoliberal Capitalist theory or Post-Marxist thought have anything to say about the formation of black holes or the manipulation of enzymes.

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

And if the Greens ran on a platform of access to housing, or provision of healthcare, that would be relevant. But since they run on an environmentalist platform, they *should* be responsive to science and they *should* be responsive to the best kinds of scientific philosophy. Whereas I'm not convinced they could describe the scientific method.

Of course, we've talked before about how the parts of the Greens' policies that are most important to both of us seem to be least important to the Greens anyway, so.

[amarynth.livejournal.com]

And if the Greens ran on a platform of access to housing, or provision of healthcare, that would be relevant.

I think a lot of Greens would be quite shocked to hear you say that. Not necessarily disagreeing, but the idea that they are a 'single issue party' is something Green MPs often enthusiastically disclaim.