Thoughts from the Train - The Election Campaign So Far

So I'm on the train heading to Sydney and I thought I would put down some thoughts on the election campaign so far.

• First off, what the hell happened to running an election based on the idealogical differences between the parties? Right now we have a choice between a party that is hesitant about doing anything to tackle climate change, is happy to play on peoples ill informed fears of a miniscule group of people and is happy to simply follow the polls, and a party that is hesitant to do anything to tackle climate change, plays on peoples fears of a miniscule group of people and is happy to play to the polls.
• Please tell me I'm not the only one who's sick of being treated like a moron by the parties? Are we, as a country so backwards that we can't be trusted with big words and actual explanations of policies?
• On that note, does anyone expect the proposed Leaders debate to be an actual debate or just talking points at ten paces. If it's going to be the latter then I think I'll switch off. I'm pretty sure that the debate between Jimmy Smits and Alan Aldas characters on West Wing has spoiled all real life political debates for me.
• Enforced preference deals truly suck. Parties should not be in a position where they get to direct your preferences. The senate voting system should be changed to remove the need for above/below the line voting and optional preferencing should be introduced.

Well that's my thoughts from the train for this morning.