You may have missed it, but there is an Australian election happening soon. We are told by both major parties that the other will make us worse off. We are told that the other side will take our rights and our welfare will be stripped away. You choose: your vote may make the difference between heaven and hell.
I am exaggerating, but I am also pointing out that it is easy to miss the subtext here. The message is simply "you will be worse off if you don't vote for us."
However, I have a simple but difficult question: "should we care if we are worse off?"
Even broader still: "do you vote to benefit yourself, or for the benefit of all?"
I am OK with being worse-off
I will admit that I would be happy to have tax cuts—even though I might be considered to be a high income earner.
Between paying off a large HECS debt, having a nine month-old baby, a fresh mortgage, childcare and trying to afford to eat I don't have much money left over, if any at all. Any extra money would be welcome, but that depends at what cost.
I am not OK with being better off at the cost of others—especially those worse off than me.
Your Vote is a Statement of Your Values
I think a central part of being Christian is being willing to suffer for the sake of others, and their well-being. This is the embodiment of the cross: that Jesus would suffer for all for the benefit of all.
It follows that if people are going to unduly suffer for my benefit—then I would rather suffer. In practical terms I would happily take a greater share of tax if this means that a pensioner can afford prescription drugs, or a woman and her family can be protected from abuse.
Let me take this one step further: your vote makes you morally complicit in the well-being of your fellow man. Politicians are elected on their promises, and your support for these promises is what makes and breaks governments.
The power of democracy is also the power of responsibility. This is the responsibility for the economy, intergenerational government debt, for the sick patient in the hospital, the homeless man on the street, and the child in the detention centre. It may seem cliché, but when you vote why not think: 'What would Jesus do?'
Government: Greater Good or Our Good?
The Australian government will generally do what it thinks will keep it in power. This is our power as citizens; to let the government know what we think is right and wrong. There is no perfect government, or perfect party. But we as a country must consider carefully why we vote for our particular choice.
Is it for our good, or for the greater good? Your vote, whether for the winner or not, is symbolic for ideals and morals you hold dear.
When I place my vote on the 2nd of July I do it with a considered heart, contemplating which vote will ease the burden of my fellow man.
Nathanael Yates is a Neuroscience Researcher from Perth, Western Australia. He is constantly inspired by his astonishingly wise and beautiful wife and his adorable daughter.
Nathanael Yates' previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/nathanael-yates.html