Fifty years ago people would not have been bombarded with mass media from every direction all of the time as we are now & back then a much much larger percentage of the population would I suspect have clearly understood what it takes to have food for the table & material for a roof over your head . As well as vivid reccolections of the tyrany of nazi germany , imperialistic japan & growing communism .
A bit different now . big brother , australian idol , footy show , today tonight , etc etc . get the picture ?
Times have changed , perceptions of what is important have changed & importantly , understanding of the importance of politics to freedom seem to have waned .
Legislators would be far more responsible if they thought that those who are annoyed with them may outnumber those who are content at the polling booth .
Isn't this the way it's supposed to work ?
Voluntary voting is the only fix now . Won't happen though .
Once a power is assumed it's unlikely to be given up freely .

Have you ever wondered what has happened to asylum seekers when they have been deported to their country of origin?

There is an article in today's SMH ( http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/rejected-refugees-sent-home-to-die/2006/08/07/1154802823160.html ). The article quoted an Afghan father who stated: ""My children died so that John Howard could win an election," Abdul is quoted as telling the Edmund Rice Centre, which has spent the past three years interviewing more than 80 rejected asylum seekers in 18 countries. It has released its findings to coincide with the Government's migration bill, which has divided the Coalition. The bill would ensure all asylum seekers landing on the mainland were processed offshore, out of reach of Australia's legal system."

Human Rights have been taken from refugees from a country the Coalition Government has acknowledged as being dangerous; Australia has sent troops there after all. It is a pity that a little compassion and humanity cannot be transplanted into Coalition politicians just like it is possible to do with organs.

Jamo

I agree on all points except optional voting. That won’t help us put our vote where we want it to count. The only answer, and it is very simple, is to implement the optional preferential voting system at the federal level, which we have in some states including Qld and NSW. But as you say; “once a power is assumed it's unlikely to be given up freely”.

I too wonder just what will really spur the community into action. It seems that pretty drastic things will have to happen and a whole lot of strife ensue before we get ourselves together and stop the erosion of our personal rights.

It is rather depressing for me to witness such a lack of concerted effort or will in the general community to address things that are really starting to affect us in a big way – fuel prices and water provision. We are seeing some action, but there is still prevailing apathy, or so it seems. Or is it a matter of relying on government to fix our woes, even though judging from many posters on this forum, people generally blame governments for the mess in the first place? It is perplexing, but it helps me understand why we collectively allow the progressive restriction of personal freedom.

continued

But above all, I am critically disappointed in the awful lack of interest on this forum in something as horrible and purely antidemocratic - which amounts to stealing our votes, and which is thus as bad as any rigged election – as compulsory preferential voting, which I have mentioned many times on OLO.

Is it because most people just don’t get it or don't believe it is as bad as you and I say it is? Is it because it is deemed to be one of those really unspeakable subjects that ‘big brother’ might come down on you over (a la Albert Langer)? I don’t think so. I think it is again apathy…. in a society which is for all intents and purposes doing very well thankyou, and in which people don’t really have to concern themselves with such things.

So, with this sort of lack of concern in the general community over something so foul, what would an improvement in freedom of speech achieve, if most people still remained silent?

Is an improvement is our ability to speak more freely really that important?

Ludwig, people are frightened to speak out, they see society's tottering on the edge of chaos. People have known for years our dams were inadequate, health system in crisis, fuel would run out. Yet all the ruling junta hears is what their bosses (big business) tells them, develop at all costs, more people more money for us.

Sensible people are aware nothing can be done until the ruling junta of lib/lab is destroyed and a system comes along that listens to the people and not vested interests. Speaking out does nothing any more, they refuse to listen because they know they can lie all they like, the enslaved just grovel at their feet as they walk all over them.

Ludwig, we've fallen over the edge and are racing to a big crash at the bottom. Nothing can be done because no one will do anything and its to late. We've the rabid right wing monotheists in control backed up by the PC brainless left, none of them have any thing else on their mind but their ego's. You either go crazy with the rest, or try non participating with them as they race to see who gets to the bottom fastest.

We're witnessing the end of a society it'll be gone before 2020. Those supporting the status quo, must maintain their direction, its their only power base. I doubt anyone has heard one word of truth from a politician, bureaucrat or CEO in the last 10 years. No amount of free speech will change that.

You ask what'll it take to change peoples perspective and get proactive, look at history, you'll see the answer. All past societies have ended in chaos and war when they suppressed the people, disenfranchising their freedoms, we're at the stage now. There's no time to make worthwhile changes, climate, environmental degradation, water system collapsing, health system in chaos, justice system upside down and a massive energy crisis. But what are the powers doing, building more roads and tunnels, bringing in more people, increasing burdens on the people and returning less. Get the picture

Nearly 2,000 people attended a free speech rally at the Victorian parliament yesterday against the Bracks Labor governments Victorias draconian anti free speech laws (the Racial & Religious Tolerance Act).
How many of you who are lauding free speech were there?
I would suggest that George Williams was not. Perhaps his close relationship with the Bracks Labor government was the reason he did not even mention this bad law in his article. Has he ever spoken out against it - I doubt it - would show a conflict of political interest?
William’s promotion of a modern day Bill Of Rights, which takes the power away from the people and gives it to the judiciary, would seem to completely contradict his lauding of free speech unless it is only freedom based on very narrow parameters that suit him.
"you can say what you like as long as I agree with it or give you the 'right' to say it"!