I find it rather amusing, that some people dislike Costello because
of his smirk. Hey, like Keating, Costello did not lack self
confidence and both were great debaters in parliament, running
rings around the rest for most of the time.

Both also have a great sense of humour, but of course that kind
of self assuredness does not go down well with some of the public,
who seemingly prefer crawlers as politicians.

Fact is that both men understood economics and both men played
an important role to take Australia forward, from the backward
economy that we used to have, to join the real world.

I’ve got to admit, Costello’s planned political exit was amusing. That’s one less highly influential old-school-rampant-maximised-growth-at-all-costs-with-no-end-ever type of politician.

And a good thing that is!

So now it appears as though he might go and work for Rudd, who is just another old-school-rampant-maximised-growth-at-all-costs-with-no-end-ever type of politician.

Hwaaaw!

Sad but true Ludwig.

For so long we have had the dragon by the tail and are too afraid to let go. We need more courageous politicians, who break the mold of the Costellos, Abbots and Minchins. Who would move away from the growth at all costs approaches of the past.

To achieve that, you'd need politicians without an ego, rather an oxymoron really. As long as there's a chance of getting their name on a shiny brass plate, or in the record books, we're stuck with the "Big Business" model of Gov'.

Wouldn't it be great to have non-partisan politics.
The people elect their representatives for the House
of Reps. and the Senate - who then select and vote
on the best Leader for the country (the PM), he
selects the best and the brightest for his Cabinet.
Legislation is voted on a conscience basis in the House
and then approved on a conscience basis in the Senate.

There will be no "grand standing," on Party basis.
There will be no allegiance to any one group. Every
elected Representative will owe allegiance to his
constituency and his own conscience.

If it wasn't for "Party Lines," many of the proposed
Legislations would have been supported by some
Opposition backbenchers - who are currently restrained
by Party Leadership.

Of course this could only work if the country was a
Republic and the Constitution was revised.

This would benefit the Nation and not Party politics.

You lot seem to forget that its people who are driving the more
growth economy. Politicians simply reflect that.

Pelican wants more money for pensioners, Ludwig wants more money
for his department, etc.

That the issue, people want more, for themselves, for their causes,
for whatever. Now the first argument is that the pie is cut up
wrong, but that will always go on, as each pushes their particular
barrow for their particular reasons. So politicians aim for a
bigger pie, it means more votes at the next elections, because
it keeps more of you happy.

So you are all to blame for the more growth economy.