Well, this poor writer dropped a bombshell but it has been good to see so many writers responding. One can always receive a heavy response on these pages if you display arrogance, in this case a little out of line, talk about euthanasia and gay marriage.

Politics in 2011 is almost passe because we have the worst collection of elected representatives I have seen in my lifetime. So if the writer can imagine Abbott strutting the international stage, thinking on his feet for more than 2 minutes, being positive on any subject but George Pell, then get behind Abbott. He is worth a vote. I would rather abstain because as the alternative may be worse, (right now she's the same), I would find it somewhat difficult to shave in the morning after looking at a face that had contributed to either one of these feckless politicains masquerading as intelligent leaders.

Your refection on Pauline Hanson and her educational shortcomings, undoubted, was cruel, regardless of her philosophies. She got there without the big party machines of Arbib and Gillard, right wing today, left wing tomorrow. Remember, thousands of Queenslanders voter for her. But then they also voted for Katter. Enough said. I am sure that in the time of Ben Chifley, as he was from a working class background, academic training required one had to have wealthy parents or a scholarship, the latter no longer available.

What we desperately need is a new party or a re-emphasis to encourage worthy independents to stand. Except for the big-hatted cowboy from Queensland, the ones we have now represent values that are hard to find in the big momolithic parties, steeped in graft and largesse from questionable supporters, such as Gillard with her inability to even spell Palestine but happy to jump when they hit the buttons and say how she supports Israel's killing of 1400 Gazans. Makes you proud to have once been a Labor voter.

Some of the people who write in these columns sound like worthy politicians. Step up to the plate and make Australia respected again. We must do something.