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I’ve only ever voted once and to be honest I didn’t research or engage politically. With what has happened in the US I plan on being far more proactive for the upcoming Aus elections. This may be a stupid question, but how do you get information that isn’t the standard boilerplate from your local representatives? This is a list of the issues that are pertinent to me. Trump and global politics DV and child protection Big business influence on policy Mandatory vaccines Pub bans Age of consent Politicians retirement (Mark McGowan) Mental health support for men Drug policy Traffic policy Housing and rental crisis Quick explanation of why these are important to me. Global politics, my son is in the military and the US has strategic resources here. DV and child protection because I’ve been a victim and also had to care for abused kids. I had nothing against Covid vax but objected to the mandatory nature. They introduced draconian laws with state wide bans at all places that serve alcohol for offences at the discretion of the police (friend got banned for 6 months for being drunk and getting angry she wasn’t allowed to get her purse and jacket before going home). Age of consent is mixed up, you can have sex at 16 but only sext at 18. My son is on sex offenders register for 15 years for sexting his 16 year old girlfriend at 18.

Hi Keith, I could not agree more. However [ IMO ], it all goes back to Gingrich and his 'My way or the hiway," approach to politics. Jerry Baumchen

Speaking of divided by extremism, I just finished watching the Netflix documentary "Join or Die," which is the movie-ization of the book Bowling Alone, about how the reduction in civic engagement (as evidenced by the smaller numbers in all kinds of fraternal organizations, as well as churches) is correlated quite convincingly with a rise in extremism. And how this also played out in a similar fashion during the Gilded Age. And it makes a certain amount of sense; if kids learn how to deal with each other by having siblings and friends, it seems as though adults could learn as much by having friends they kinda-sorta HAVE to deal with, as opposed to virtual "friends" who can be unfriended, ghosted, or simply ignored when they piss you off. Personally, I think the rise in suburbs and "every man is an individual" ethos also contributes, as does, of course, the rise of the internet. So I'll join a club or two. Wendy P.

Thanks Keith, I appreciate your reply. I agree the US seems insanely divided by extremism on both sides.

Hi Keith, If only. I do agree with absolutely everything in your post. Jerry Baumchen

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