My Manifesto: The Incoherent Ramblings of a Madman

I feel cheap and used for political gain. I was bear-hugged by the local Liberal member in front of news cameras today while trying to vote.

The story begins a few months back when I saw him shopping in the supermarket for groceries. I had to look twice at the burley man who was wearing torn, paint stained, stubby shorts and faded ripped t-shirt and was in thongs (aka flip-flops).

He was clearly unshaven for a few days and looked almost like a homeless person; OK, so I am known for my hyperboles, in truth he was more like a person who had been on a three day bender after breaking up with his long term partner, or after having had a very close family member die or something more so than a homeless person.

I saw him today when going to vote and made some sarcastic comment about it, the sarcasm was more friendly banter than anything bitter or untoward. With all of the confusion around the entrance of the voting venue I hadn't realised the news cameras were on him; however, he had. Quick to cover the situation he laughed it off, patted me on the back, and then jollily hugged me with the words:

"Peter! mate..it's been a while since we've seen each other. But you haven't lost your sense of humour. But I know you'll be voting Liberal today for old times sake friend"

It is hard to tell who came off worse - him or I. I'm not even from his electorate, my name is not Peter - but I'm still a shot of making the news being bear-hugged by a giant jollily laughing.