A real job?
Perhaps an elected President, could also assume the role of speaker, to finally and at long last, give that roll complete independence and take it away from partisan politicians?
One assumes any continuing powers of veto, would then reside in the senate? Currently, the speaker only votes to break a complete deadlock, a power that ought to be retained if we the people, elect a President/Speaker?
Perhaps as part of general reform, a plebiscite could also ask if we the people, wanted to replace our hugely manipulated preference system, with a proportional representative one and primary selections by the people, of all intending candidates, regardless of their political colour scheme?
If the true aim is to achieve a better form of democracy, by the people, for the people, of the people, then surely proportional representation and primaries, would achieve at least some of that, as would a long overdue bill of irrevocable rights, and maybe a citizens' initiated referendum!?
Perhaps the latter could avoid every hare-brain scheme or single issue focus group, if say, the proponents were obliged to get 50-100,000 verifiable signatures from still living registered voters?
Rhrosty.

As Australians have proven to be ungovernable, a benevolent dictator would be best.

Truly, taking our governance is irrelevant if you are a realist like me.

The notion humankind is moving down an ever-better road has once again been overthrown in the 21st century. No honest person could look around at the current chaos and corruption in the US, UK, Europe or elsewhere on Earth and still argue that humanity continues down the road of perpetual improvement

This tradition began in the 19th century, with its basis in the Enlightenment.

Whether they know it or not, most people are firmly ensconced within the Progress myth. It's just like the air you breathe.

Except for a few throwbacks and Luddites, everybody is a Keynesian or an Austrian, or a Libertarian.

These distinctions make little difference. All these people are "liberals" in the grandest, philosophical tradition.

Without exception, these people believe in continual "improvement" of the human condition, whether they emphasise markets over government or vice versa.

Again, such distinctions make little difference; everybody is swimming in the same water.

Technology is universally hailed as humankind's continuing and ultimate saviour.

GDP is a precise measurement of our progress. If GDP goes up, everyone rejoices. If it goes down, we vow to try harder. No one questions these assumptions, despite ultimately trivial political differences about how to grow GDP.

Are humans rational? No.

Are our politicians rational and good-hearted in this sense? No.

Are our politicians and business leaders rational and good-hearted in this sense? No.

Are consumers rational and good hearted in this sense? No.

Are economists, environmentalists and other purported leaders rational? No.

Humans are unconscious creatures motivated by instinctual drives and other hidden agendas they do not even begin to comprehend.

Do you disagree with the following?
•Tradition has great value
•Continuity has great value
•Conservation has great value
•Stability has great value
•Constraints (on behaviour) have great value

All these things have great values, but have been lost by the ideology of Progress.

If you disagree, you are liberal, if you agree you are conservative, I do not subscribe to a philosophy of "improvement" in the human condition. Progress is an illusion

Geoff of perth,
Excellent, what else can there be said ? Sadly, the do-gooders & hangers-on will do their utmost to discredit the facts.

Geoff of Perth,

You write :

Tradition has great value - it all depends on the tradition. Thank God, we have dispensed with a number of traditions.

Continuity has great value - continuity with what?

Conservation has great value - it all depends on what is being conserved.

Laughter.