Should we vote, even with full knowledge the government we're voting for will, more than likely, fall shy of meeting their manifesto promises? Is it our democratic obligation to use our vote regardless of whether or not the party we vote for meet our own political agenda/ideals? Obviously we're not going to have all our political hopes met because we're not ourselves running, but can we trust our politicians to honour their promises? Obviously not. And so I'm faced with the conundrum; do I vote for someone I'm not wholeheartedly behind, or abstain and go against my personal view that I should not waste this precious opportunity to partake in democracy (which in theory I believe in but I'm not sure actually exists)?

YES you must VOTE. Vote for anyone who you think will do a good job and that's all you have to do.

People died to get us the vote. And, later, women died to get you the vote. So you're doubly indebted.

If those long-dead don't inspire you, consider all the people in the here and now who don't have the luxury. Or people like those in Zimbabwe who've exercised their democratic rights only to see the whole thing end in a sickening farce.

Exercise the 'none of the above' option if you don't think any of the candidates pass muster.

EmmZ your looking at it the wrong way around. We dont vote to elect the best person for the job, we vote to keep the worst people OUT of the job. So it doesnt matter that the only person on earth whos priorities match your own is YOU because your picking the guy whos prioties are furtherest AWAY from yours and keeping him\her OUT of power

Nice. I'll remember that next time the nationals start infighting over themselves. the end choice is still the same. Labour. Unless they become right wing.

Nice. I'll remember that next time the nationals start infighting over themselves. the end choice is still the same. Labour. Unless they become right wing.

I'm guessing your an Aussie - or a deluded Brit - the british labour party are already a right wing party :)

Aussie. Our Labor party smartly used the war to win an election (by pulling troops out not in), similar to right wing parties..somehow i don't think the similarities end there.

In australia Labor has drifted futher to the right than i would like but no where NEAR as far as the Liberal\National party. Personally i vote Democrat, Green, Labor in both the house and the senate because i know that labor will most likly win the house seat (which is better than either the libs or nats) and in the senate i would rather see a strong 3rd party who was left wing than either of the major parties have control OR a party like family first.

Its a pitty the democrats are probably dead now and that natash is gone, i think she was the best polly in cambera

Should we vote, even with full knowledge the government we're voting for will, more than likely, fall shy of meeting their manifesto promises?

Not only will it fall short, it will only add to the problems already at hand!Todays legislators are more ruthless and greedy than ever before and without any real restraints to keep them in check they will be running amok within the halls of the legislature taking bribes, kick backs and under the table dealings with anyone who gives them what they want. NO, I say, don't vote...REVOLT!!:mad:

It was the Pankhurst line that won me over. You're right, completely and irrevocably. How could I waste what others have fought so hard to accomplish?. We stand on the shoulders of giants. Thanks guys :)