This is a year of elections, Federal towards the end of the year, and this month, the statutory four-yearly election in New South Wales. This is not fresh news. Federal and State politicians have been hard at work for some time convincing us theirs is the party to follow. The media is consumed with stories about politicians, their wives and sometimes, mercifully, even their policies. The commentariat is on every opinion page, news forum and current affairs show analysing each and every word from aspiring political leadership.
For many people the world of politics is an abiding fascination. The success of The West Wing, a TV show from the US, is a sign of this. Wikipedia says, "The show's popularity waned in later years, but it remained popular among high-income viewers, a key demographic for the show and its advertisers."
Perhaps that's why it now appears here on the ABC. (I'm tipping Santos (Jimmy Smits) to defeat Vinick (Alan Alda) in the Presidential election.)
While it is full of American hype, The West Wing's portrayal of politicians and political campaigns provides us with some real insights into our own Australian campaigns. Here they are also poll-driven, with policy commitments often tempered through indicators that reflect what the "people' or special interest groups will accept. Candidates are carefully advised and prepared as a product; they are most of the time in the hands of their media advisors.
Have you noticed how often, when Mr Iemma or Mr Debnam are giving an out-of-doors or set piece interview to reporters, if they don't have their wife with them, they have a woman carefully placed behind them, just to one side, nodding her head and smiling as they speak? That's to create the impression that they are sympathetic to women's views, and to gain them the women's vote. We think it just happens, but it is all so very carefully crafted.
It is just as common here, as in US political activities West Wing-style, for media commentators and reporters to be active participants in political debate and events rather than just reporting the facts and news as it happens. We should always be ready to detect the slant or perceived bias.
As Christians, we should look as well for candidates and policies that reflect our biblical understanding of humanity and life issues. Some may claim these would automatically push us in NSW to vote for the Christian Democrats. They certainly have a very impressive team including Major Brian Watters from the Salvation Army. Yet a party doesn't automatically own our vote because it calls itself Christian, for there are biblically minded Christian candidates in other parties who should also be considered and supported by Christian voters.
With water, climate change and environmental issues so much to the fore in community consciousness, some may say vote Green. They have kept environmental and planning matters before the community. But it is from the NSW Greens that we have an almost annual move to remove prayers from Parliament. As well, Greens' policies on matters such as abortion, euthanasia and hard drugs often seem to be far removed from biblical understanding. In 1996 Greens leader Dr Bob Brown co-authored The Greens with philosopher and ethicist Peter Singer. This book gives a clear view of policies at the centre of the Greens party. The pro-euthanasia stance really disturbs me.
So how do we decide our vote? Don't be impressed by personality. Ask your local candidates to advise you of their policies; discuss the matters with biblically minded friends if you need to talk, while still remembering that no one can tell you how to vote; seek the Lord in prayer " voting is an awesome responsibility, for our community's future is in our hands.
And after the election? Keep Romans chapter 13 in mind. The successful party may not be our first choice, yet "all authority comes from God".
