posted by ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
whoozqueen at 12:39pm on 23/05/2004
whoozqueen at 12:39pm on 23/05/2004From an article discussing who is likely to win the next Australian federal election, comes this pithy little quote:
"Understand, those who think about issues, read the newspapers, discuss events, make up only about 10 per cent of voters."
I knew the figure had to be reasonably low, but only 10%??? Why aren't people more involved in what is going on around them? Sept 11 was such a shock to the US public, not just because of the enormous loss of life and permanent change to the NY city skyline, but because they never saw it coming. They had no idea that there were people in the world that hated them that much. So why aren't people more interested? I guess the answer is that if it doesn't involve them personally, its too much bother, too much compared to everything else going on in their lives, until you get a huge event like Sept 11.
The article continues....
I think it means the critical target group for the election is going to be the $40,000 to $50,000 earners, with or without children; and second, generation X voters, who basically have been ignored, or at least those who aren't about to have a baby soon.
"I mean, for the first time generation X is interested in politics, largely because of Mark Latham. In fact, I think they are almost the key to the election."
And who is generation X?
"Late 20s and 30s. They've been totally disengaged by the political process. Now they're just starting to get vaguely interested for the first time in ages. Why? Well, politics just isn't a factor in their lives. No importance whatsoever. Their value systems and interests eschew politics. Latham has stirred their interest. He's left them hanging there, but they're ready to be engaged. Not a lot, but a bit.
Im sooooooo ready to be engaged. By the government. *ahem* *LOL* About time we Gen X'ers were recognised by the political puntsters as being ready for woo. Its recommended in the article that if Howard wants to win this election, he has to widen the benefits being given to those earning $52k per year to people who are earning $40k per year. This would include Gen X'ers and help to sway their vote.
Personally, unless something fairly serious happens, I think Bush, Howard and Blair will be turfed in the next elections for these countries. Their time is over, the whole Iraq situation was a grave mistake built upon a foundation of lies and greed.
"Understand, those who think about issues, read the newspapers, discuss events, make up only about 10 per cent of voters."
I knew the figure had to be reasonably low, but only 10%??? Why aren't people more involved in what is going on around them? Sept 11 was such a shock to the US public, not just because of the enormous loss of life and permanent change to the NY city skyline, but because they never saw it coming. They had no idea that there were people in the world that hated them that much. So why aren't people more interested? I guess the answer is that if it doesn't involve them personally, its too much bother, too much compared to everything else going on in their lives, until you get a huge event like Sept 11.
The article continues....
I think it means the critical target group for the election is going to be the $40,000 to $50,000 earners, with or without children; and second, generation X voters, who basically have been ignored, or at least those who aren't about to have a baby soon.
"I mean, for the first time generation X is interested in politics, largely because of Mark Latham. In fact, I think they are almost the key to the election."
And who is generation X?
"Late 20s and 30s. They've been totally disengaged by the political process. Now they're just starting to get vaguely interested for the first time in ages. Why? Well, politics just isn't a factor in their lives. No importance whatsoever. Their value systems and interests eschew politics. Latham has stirred their interest. He's left them hanging there, but they're ready to be engaged. Not a lot, but a bit.
Im sooooooo ready to be engaged. By the government. *ahem* *LOL* About time we Gen X'ers were recognised by the political puntsters as being ready for woo. Its recommended in the article that if Howard wants to win this election, he has to widen the benefits being given to those earning $52k per year to people who are earning $40k per year. This would include Gen X'ers and help to sway their vote.
Personally, unless something fairly serious happens, I think Bush, Howard and Blair will be turfed in the next elections for these countries. Their time is over, the whole Iraq situation was a grave mistake built upon a foundation of lies and greed.