I'm more optimistic about our nation.

As I've said time and time again - we tend to muddle
along at times, but our voters get it right in the end.
I think that whoever is appointed as Governor-General
will do a good job. Nobody has disgraced themselves
thus far. At least I can't think of anyone who did a
bad job. I'm sure whoever is chosen will be fine.

In any case, from the MPs that I have come to know
personally in my electorate - from both parties, they've
been people who've entered politics wanting to make a
difference. People like Peter Costello. Like James
Paterson. Like Keith Wolahan. Like Matthew Guy. Like
Josh Frydenberg. To name just a few. So I think our future
is in good hands. There's many more young people wanting
to contribute.

Sure, there are party hacks and seat warmers - and extremists.
They like their supporters are marginal - and don't last
long. We should count our blessings. We have so much.

Kudos ttbn. Yes Gustav Le Bonn and John Anderson from memory say similar things about Stability through government being tied to Slavery. And yes our modern representative democracy often bears small resemblance to "government by the people" but more of an oligarchy or dictatorship. Perhaps an Aristotelian "aristocracy" would be better than our current governing system and would be more people orientated.

This is the ultimate irony of those that call themselves "people's state's" that they are governed by dictators- not at all "the people"- they don't even trust the people to think- let alone govern.

The people that talk about the people don't care about the people. The people that care about the people don't talk about the people.

CM

Australians seem to be "willing victims of indoctrination, keen to believe governments' narratives ... (Zimmermann & Moens, 'The Unlucky Country').

Australian society is now a conformist society; compliant with government dictates. They no longer question; they uncritically accept government decisions - for instance, the compliant attitude of Australians during Covid was pathetic.

We have entered a dangerous, illiberal period in Australia.

The last election showed that voters do think for
themselves and that the old political tactics of
misinformation, and fear mongering, and attacks,
no longer work, especially amongst young people.

Interesting times ahead.

The last election showed that voters do think for
themselves
Foxy,
Wrong ! The last election clearly showed that too many people only think of themselves !