One week to go

 

Image : Dg Studio /Dreamstime 
How did that happen? The longest campaign in history is nearly finished. Some have been battling covid or I can't believe it's not covid. Some have had other family issues to deal with. There is plenty of sickness around and it is unpleasant. We have had various sorts of debates which have created interest. We have the cheerful turquoise colours of the independents to brighten the dull days. We have valued Simon Holmes à Court's support of climate action via political platforms and candidates because how on earth are we going to otherwise get it on the agenda? His plan for creating change has been a good one. We have valued the contributions of energetic , intelligent candidates who may or may not have been confused with other candidates. We have enjoyed watching journalists learn that the campaign is not about them . It is about us and our country. So many candidates have been busy, positive and hard working. They have been visible in their electorates. So many candidates have gone unseen and unpresent. Postal votes and early polling have been bubbling along. The change will come. We know last time everyone and everything we trusted pointed to a Shorten government. We have not forgotten the pain of how that felt that this was not the case. That still has not been properly explained. Oh yes, there are the Palmer millions, the gullible franking credits public and a few other things . Mr . Morrison won by one seat. One seat. We are wary but in a week, our life will be different because we have found our voice, our intellect and our humour. This time next week we shall be winding up for election evening and it will be great. 

Surviving the election 22 campaign

 

Image: covid19data
If this week is anything to go by , surviving the election 22 campaign will require skill and a plan. The emphasis seems to be on pain. It is painful to listen to the nonsense masquerading as election programming. We have had politicians and journalists forming coteries. We have had journalists playing daily trivia games. At times, we do have to lighten up but, heavens, the campaign has hardly started. Officially, that is. We have had months of PM photo ops and his photographers can come up with some interesting images. Many people don't like them, but some of Adam Taylor's photographs are really worth contemplating. 

So how to survive this campaign? Some have tuned out completely and are staying in their own bubble until they need to vote. Some will keep an eye on it and just catch up every few days. 

1. Cover a variety of sources: different radio stations, different TV stations, Twitter, different websites, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube . By covering sources widely you get to see more and can sort out the brainwashing messages from relevant information. 

2. Do image searches for politicians. Get an idea of how they present photographically.

3. Keep your eye on coronavirus information and spread. It is still there. Masks work. We need to pay attention and not get distracted and know how to manage this for ourselves. Dumping health measures will not make the virus go away. We have been increasing cases. See the comparison of countries image with this post. 

4. Listen to National Press Club speeches. You will hear people who play significant roles in our society make speeches. The politics around those speeches is worth taking in and thinking about. A good speech will make you think more. A bad speech will remind you how not to think. 

5. Know how the media creates bias.  OpinionFront gives you a start. There are other websites which go into more detail. Be aware of how media manipulate messages when they want to. 

6. Talk to real people about what they are thinking. It might be quite different from you. Have boundaries. There are times when polar opposites in thinking cannot find common ground. There are also times when the way somebody thinks about something is enlightening. 

7. Have other things to do and plenty of them. Now is a good time to start some projects. 

8. If you can't stand what you are reading and hearing , find something else to read and hear. 

9. Look at politics in other countries and how it is reported . Let some of their ways and views inform your own but also start noticing global patterns and how and where they occur. 

10. Get out into nature or be with others. Go for a walk, go in the garden, get outside and look at the sky.  Go to the beach or for a walk in a forest area. Don't just sit there ...do something :) Phone home. Cuddle your pet. Play with children or grandchildren. They aren't worried about politics and have some hilarious takes on life which cut through.