What is politics about and why should we vote?

I know many people are very disenchanted and disengaged with politics and I  can understand why. There are many things which have a huge credibility gap between what they should be and what they actually are.
Politics is definitely one of these. I want to talk about what politics SHOULD BE.

Politics is about using resources, money and services in a way which benefits the greatest number of people. It is about protecting the rights of those who are weak and vulnerable. It should seek a global view of actions and consequences, so that a local plan can fit within the bigger picture. It tries to balance the needs and desires of individuals so that the happiness of one is not gained at the expense of others.

Politics isn't just a theory. It needs committed people on the ground. We call those people 'politicians' and put them in a different category. They are no longer ordinary citizens. They join a class of people like comedians, only they are less funny and more ridiculed. We talk as if politics is removed from everyday life and irrelevant. Many people can't be bothered to vote when it comes to polling day.

I think this is a great blindness, which will hurt us all.

No one would get on a ship and say, "Well it doesn't really matter who is in charge, I'm sure we will get there anyway."

No one, joining a company, would consider the managers irrelevant to the success of the venture.

Even within families, we recognise that good parenting is much better than weak or neglectful parenting, leading to better outcomes for the children.

Why then do so many people think that it doesn't matter who is making decisions about the country?

Politicians are not all the same and it really does matter who is deciding about resources and services, about rights and responsibilities, about our place in the global picture.

In my voting life, I have voted for almost every mainstream party. Some would say that I am crazy not to stick with one party. But I want someone with integrity, a commitment to service, humility and fairness to be making decisions on behalf of me, my family and my neighbours.