As 2012 comes to a close...

[hanasian]

I have returned to Live Journal. I see on my calendar that I opened this account nearly 9 years ago in 2004 after having to close my Halasian account. I also have not posted an entry on here for the whole year of 2011. Guess I've been full-on into the facebook for a few years now, and quite frankly have reached a 'burn-out' stage with that. When I

Comments

[heliona]

You know I find it a bit weird that Americans who don't live in the US can vote on matters that occur in the US. However, since you all still pay US tax no matter where you live, then of course you have that right! It'd be different if you didn't pay tax.

Well, at least you've find out who people really are and have moved on. :)

I've been thinking about doing a 2012 round-up, but as it's not over yet, and my nephew is due on the 30th December, I'm going to hold off until it's January! :D

[alqualisse]

I'm kinda used to the whole postal vote thing. For some reason, bog ignorance I suppose, I figured it was a wide spread democratic practice. The way it worked in the US is similar to Australia.

Once you're a citizen, no matter where you live, you are entitled (or in Australia's case expected) to vote. It makes an intuitive sense to me. Citizenship implies voting rights - it's an inalienable right.

Anyway, I guess people change. Some friendships endure across the seasons, some do not. There were two individuals who, in this season, I wouldn't piss on were they on fire. They were not just rude. They were abusive. I saw blatant misogyny (not an accusation I throw around lightly). I saw blatant racism. I saw towering arrogance and callous indifference and cruelty.

But there once was a time when they were kindred souls. So, for that time, celebrate it. Perhaps it is more precious for it's fleeting nature? People change over time. Some grow, others shrink.

It's their loss, my love, even if they are too blind to see it.

[heliona]

I don't know much about voting practises in other countries, of course, but I know that here in the UK, you have to be resident to vote. In fact, the upcoming vote in Scotland on Scottish independence? You have to live in Scotland to vote, which has upset a lot of Scots people who live in England for whatever reason

[alqualisse]

For some reason, I recall British ex-pats residing in Australia (we have loads of them) all filling out their postal votes for British elections. I don't know which one - and by that I mean I don't know if they were national, state or local elections. Perhaps having a 3 tier government system is a purely Australian curse and Britain doesn't have it.

I think the US is a "republic" model...meaning once you're in the club, you get a say about the club rules if you want to. Australia has a law that says it is illegal for a citizen to not vote (an enterprising soul in South Australia is challenging the constitutional validity of that dumb-ass law). All the lazy slobs who can't be assed critically appraising the national interests of policy platforms would be similarly disinclined to get off their asses to vote. Abolishing the law would be quality control on the democratic feedback.

I digress... I think because of those reasons, the two countries named allow their citizens to vote. A good idea, methinks, as we have an increasingly globalised