Kalin so by your measure it’s ok for the state to persecute & rob people so long as 51% are kept happy .

Mate when you’ve had much of the value of your hard earned assets stripped by a government seeking to sure up a few seats in an upcoming election you’ll understand what being part of the 49% is .

Jamo,

As I said on the other thread, democracy isn't perfect.

You are also confusing my support for our electoral system, and the type of politician it produces, with support for the government. I don't like an awful lot that this government does, and the same goes for every government we've had since I was old enough to be politically aware. My point is just that our politicians are a pretty fair compromise on the spectrum political views across Australia, or at least within each electorate.

If many people on the far right and left find politicians don’t reflect their views, that is how it’s supposed to be. The politicians aren’t supposed to reflect one group or another’s views, they’re supposed to reflect a combination of all views, because they represent the people, not the right or the left. That our political parties are so consistently moderate suggests the system is working in that regard.

Whatever your ideology, pursue it, but in a democracy, the way to further your objectives is to lobby politicians and persuade the public. Changing the electoral system isn’t the answer.

Kalin: I disgaree. Maybe the system is fundamentally flawed and needs to be changed. Likewise, maybe the problem is compromise. Maybe we don't have people of principle and so what we get is the most slimy form of populist then who will sell his soul to "represent" the people.