Yuyutsu

Sorry. You are not making sense to me. You don't seem to be ‘getting’ the difference between the lower and upper houses.

And, when you mark all the boxes above the line, you are voting for boxes, not people.

Finally, policies, government are made in the lower house. The Senate reviews, endorses, or sends the policies back. It's a pity that the majority of Senators merely rubber stamp the policies of the party they are a member of. They are not doing their jobs.

We've now done the full circle on the topic, and it is clear from your comments and the usual lack of interest in how ordinary people can be masters rather than servants, that nothing will change, and people do not understand democracy nor want it.

AC

Good on you. You have looked into it for yourself

Dear Ttbn,

«You don't seem to be ‘getting’ the difference between the lower and upper houses.»

As it stands, the candidates from both the lower and upper houses come from the same political parties: if that changes one day, well and good, that will be great, but for now I have to deal with what is - and political parties do not have separate sets of principles and policies for the lower and for the upper houses.

«And, when you mark all the boxes above the line, you are voting for boxes, not people.»

Exactly, I vote for boxes which represent different sets of policies, which is ultimately what matters most to the average citizen.

Knowing that many people well enough to vouch for them, people I have no interest in anyway, that out of some 100+ politicians when it comes to the upper house, would take me way too long than I am willing to invest - I do have a life besides.

«Finally, policies, government are made in the lower house. The Senate reviews, endorses, or sends the policies back»

Exactly, so why would I not have my representatives in the upper house to try and block the harmful laws schemed by the lower house?

«It's a pity that the majority of Senators merely rubber stamp the policies of the party they are a member of. They are not doing their jobs.»

Correct, but I have to live with what is, and if what I get are lemons then I may as well make lemonade.

«the usual lack of interest in how ordinary people can be masters rather than servants»

I am not interested in being neither master nor servant - I just want to live my life peacefully and wish there never were any states and governments to harass and disturb us.

The great leader found sprawled drunk on a Canberra footpath last year Barnyard Joy, has quit the Cow Cocky Party and joined the fruit cakes of the Lovely Pauline Party. Normally I would say quitting the Cow Cocky's should be applauded, but to hop into the cot with the Lovely Pauline, what can I say. After a late night session with a bottle of Scotch, throw in a couple of steaks, me thinks Barnyard and Pauline should be able to have a very intelligent conversation, about Barney running for the Senate in NSW. I don't think the "marriage" will last, remember Pauline and her "marriage" to Mad Mark in NSW, that ended in divorce.

When I was as school, it was explained to us that the house of representatives was just that.
It represented Australia as a whole.
It made decisions for Australia as a whole.
On the other hand, the Senate represented individual states.
Its purpose was to ensure that decisions made by the 'lower' house did not give advantage to one state over another.
In other words, to ensure that decisions were fair to all states.
All my life I have wondered why the Senate makes decisions based on other factors.
Clearly, they are entitled to legally.
And what I was taught at school was the teacher's assessment only.
But that teacher's idea still seems to me to be a worthwhile approach.

Dear Ipso Fatso,

Well I didn't realise that some such naive people still exist to this day who believe what the regime tells them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VucczIg98Gw

Look at it logically.
Is it better that we live in a democracy?
I say yes.
And for that we need elected representatives.
We have them.
And whatever they are, they are chosen by the people.
To assess their conduct and performance as they go along is a good thing.
But to 'throw mud' is quite another.
By all means be aware of any shortcomings.
And use those to decide if you vote for them again.
But please don't degrade them to make yourself feel more important.
It does not improve anyone's lot.
Least of all, yours.