The so-called Mr Average voter just does not have the time, or the inclination it seems, to participate in political activity according to local polling by YOC.
And it’s not because there have not been issues that in years gone past would have had the professional protesters and tree huggers marching en masse to the nation’s capital banners in hand.
Threatened mortgage foreclosures on an unprecedented scale, food prices through the roof, and petrol price hikes that would scare the jeans off any V8 owner, on the local scene, combined with defence forces active in nearly half a dozen of the world’s trouble spots would usually be ammunition (excuse the pun) enough for any self respecting activist to get, well, active.
So the sight last week of protesting pensioners disrobing on TV screens around the country must have come as a bit of a shock for the new Rudd government more accustomed to rock star type adulation, than acts of protest, in its fairytale first six months in power.
But when you think about it – it had to happen. After all, it’s not as though the electorate is not concerned with the challenges Australia is currently facing it’s more just a lack of free time to fit in activities which are not vitally important to simply get by in this increasingly more complex 21st century world we live in.
Let me think. As the major breadwinner in the household will I skip some of my weekend sport or hobbies and take a second/third job to earn enough to keep the car on the road so that I can do my regular full time job and pay for groceries and a roof over our heads?
Mums know the price of living is rising every time they pass the check out chic with the weekly groceries. What use to be $100 (small family / half trolley) is now closer to $150 and the $200 full trolley for a medium sized young (read continuously hungry) family has climbed to nearly $300.
Dads know fuel is up at the bowser when the regular weekly full tank of gas rockets to $65 up from the usual $40. If he supplements the shortfall from his own pocket money it means he will be missing out on a few bought lunches next week (busy working Mums don’t make cut lunches anymore).
It had to happen, because the now retiring baby boomers have not only always been active on social issues, but more importantly, they have the time and the inclination.
From a political perspective it’s a warning shot from an emerging group that the new ALP government can only ignore at its own electoral peril.
This now famous demographic bulge has made its indelible mark in every era, from the 60s onwards, and given their increased life expectancy they will certainly be around for quite a few more federal elections and will certainly make their presence felt.
Kevin07 be warned: there’s lots of them, they have the time, they will undress on camera … and they vote!
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