When you were 4yo, you announced to Daddy and I that you would be a Greens voter. We were a little taken aback, being Australian Dems voters (this was before they sold out and imploded of course), but figured that since kids were generally more left-wing than their parents, it made sense. I don't know how you voted this election, but I was so proud to see you go in and cast your first vote - you've now legitimately earned your right to whinge, complain and throw things at the TV for the next three years.
I'm guessing you've learned by now that one doesn't just vote for the candidate one agrees with, and then sit back and enjoy sensible, caring governance for three years or more. Politicians only do the right thing if their heads are held in a vice. To accomplish this, I recommend membership of GetUp!, but you of course can make your own decision about the best way for your views to be heard.
Here's your sister's position: "We like Julia Gillarrrrd (she pronounces it in pirate-speak - goodness knows why) because she's a nice lady. Nobody likes Tony Abbott, because he's a bad, bad man." She appears to be taking after her big sister in becoming a wise young woman.
Should we end up with a misogynist, science-ignoring, homophobic government, I predict tears and vomiting. And I don't think Cat will be impressed either.
Love you, Mum xx
PS. Deciding independent MP's Windsor and Oakeshott made more sense than I've heard from politicians in years, and I got to keep my lunch. And dance.
You guys are wacky. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis post is utterly awesome. Also, any children of mine will have to join the Socialist Alternative.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, V. Gran was a speech writer for the Liberals, and we've been moving steadily to the left ever since. Let's just hope there's no nasty right-wing rebelling, and we both know the boy most likely....
ReplyDeleteIn light of the election I think that all parties should remember the words from "IF", they are appropriate and relate to both men and women these days.
ReplyDeleteThe background is as follows.
When I was 12 my mom in a fit of pique decided that we weren't Jewish but that I should still celebrate being a man. So She brought me a plaque with "IF" engraved upon it. Over 30 years later I still have the plaque and still read it. Im not sure that I fulfill all that Rudyard Kipling set out to instill in young men but I think I might have done a fair job.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!
–Rudyard Kipling
Great poem, Harry, my cousin was given this for a milestone birthday too - I think it was his 18th.
ReplyDelete