Priorities, priorities, priorities… please!

Apparently there’s going to be a big vote in Australia about same-sex marriage. It’s massive and we all need to be tuned in and have a say.

Oh, and by the way, there might be a war between the west and North Korea.

Yes, yes, yes, but dear oh dear, what are we going to do about society if gay people succeed or fail in their desire to get married?

What’s that? Anxiety is mounting between the Americans and North Koreans and there’s a chance we could again soon be at war in Asia?

Okay, okay, fair enough. But, as well as same-sex marriage, what about all those Australian politicians who keep finding out they have some form of dual citizenship? Now that’s a problem.

Ah… um… yes… and North Korea and the United States are declaring they are on a war footing for a conflict that has potential to bring on the apocalypse. ??? This seems to be how we’re assessing what’s happening in Australian current affairs at the moment.

Fair dinkum, the absurdity of our priorities appears to have reached new heights – or should that be lows?

Some of us are finding it hard to believe, considering international circumstances, that we are being consumed by debates that in a modern Australia are bordering on nonsensical.

We seem to have lost the ability to place things into perspective.

When it comes to formal acceptance of gay marriage in Australia, all that really matters is making sure we promote the ideals of equality and meet and protect the human rights of individual Australians.

And what about this farcical debate surrounding dual citizenship of our politicians?

Okay, rules are rules, but if in reality the issue is little more than an oversight in historical paperwork, I’m sure we can find a spare pen and make some changes. In short, can we please move forward, preferably without spending too much time, money and effort in the process, and start directing our attention to more pressing issues.

Considering the growing crisis on the Korean peninsula, national security and working towards the safety of Australians at home and abroad might be a tad more appropriate.

The economy should also get a look in, especially on finding ways to ensure we head off a growing number of working poor.

And what are we going to do about our growing need for energy? And water? And the rising level of homelessness? And…? And…? And…?