Thanks Rolph. Makes sense to me. Our journo schools are a disgrace compared to European and American equivalents. Thanks for the tips on quality news sources. I've abandoned reading newspapers and watching television news. The current affairs stuff is just as hopeless and derivative. In civilised countries, a state of emergency would have been declared by now. How mush worse does it have to get?

Dear SR,

I'm not sure that I agree with your sweeping
statement of, "Why are we politically illiterate?"

Sure there are people that express cynicism
towards traditional political structures and many
are disengaged from the broader process of
representative democracy. Then there are those
that will simply support their Party - right or
wrong - without question. But there are also
those who do examine the policies, and issues
involved before deciding where to cast their vote.
Today - there are so many resources to keep the
public informed. From TV, radio, newspapers, magazines,
onto - educational programmes, films, documentaries,
DVDs and so on.

Then there's also the wonderful computer.
Today - with electronic
communication there are alternative forms of cultural
expression through Internet blogging and accessing the many
online resources. Many people are generating global alliances
and extending their boundaries of political expression
and participation.

It's a bit patronising to assume that the public doesn't
know - or care - what is in its best interest.

In this country people have always been prepared to
make their voices heard.

cont'd ...

The Americans are very vocal politically -
but they worship baseball and American
football. The British, are very conscious
of their political climate but they
idealize their soccer and cricket. Maybe
the Aussies are more modest to express
their political views - but when it counts
at election time they're all out there
having their say.

As for the calibre of politicans - this doesn't
differ much in Western democracies. Have a look
at the previous Bush Administration - and the
Republican candidates at their last election.

Our politicians - bless them - go into politics
because they find the life irresistible. They
enjoy the highs and take the miserable lows
in their stride. They face long years with
equanimity. They take for granted the slander
of fools but they also firmly believe that the
voters will get it right in the end.

I watched Michael Moore's film, "Sicko,"
last night on SBS - dealing with the American
Health System.
Australia has a health system
that most Americans would envy.

Hold tight to some thing runner, I agree with you.
I too found it hard to believe the first post was fair dinkum.
Come now tell me, you do not think you can compare todays Australia with a 1880s visitors vies?
And an American at that?
how very different we are from some of them.
I will never except measurement of us against them.
have you heard republican hate against Obama? comparing him with Hitler?
We get what we vote for, and success full party's give us what we want.
none, ever, can do every thing we want.
and yes some vote based on no interest others on no understanding.
Right now some feel warm and comfortable about Abbott's chances, as one opposed to him totally I share that feeling, he is dead in the water.
You will find we differ a great deal in our thinking but many, on both sides do in fact think, and those who do not?
no right to complain about anything.
The thread could develop if we talk about why we think as we do, but not if it claims we do not think or except second best.
As a side issue I have got it in the neck of line for highlighting my views on Rudd and whaling/school funding but will not change my views certainly never blame all politicians because I fail to understand the subject.

The first post was serious, and I'm not surprised to find that it would be seen to be otherwise thus proving my point of asking the question. Let's get down to specifics.

Ninety years ago, we have a good banking system. We didn't make it that way; an American did. He formed the Commonwealth Bank, and he used it to build the Trans-Continental Railway without paying a cent of interest to anybody. Normally, the merchant bank fees on loans to the federal government are well above twenty percent. How did you think Turnbull and Macquarie got rich - selling pencils? Because Gough Whitlam was an economic illiterate, he wanted to borrow sleaze money off the Arab Kemlanie at some ridiculous fee to fund his government's programs when the Commonwealth Bank was sitting there doing nothing.

Are you guys starting to get my drift and are getting ready to drop all the motherhood statements that cloud these issues and are already in circulation?

The politically illiterate electorate voted for the economic illiterate when the Commonwealth (People's) Bank was flogged off to private speculators and the screwing of bank customers started in earnest. Sneeze near a bank and it costs. I went into the Commonwealth at North Sydney to get change for a parking meter and they charged me 15%, making me buy a plastic toy I didn't want.

I've got books full of these examples but would I be wasting my time bringing them up?

rolphHarris...... I too used to read Crikey, but got a little tired of it and I now read The Daily Reckoning which is a free email that one can subscribe to and it appears in your inbox every day. Mostly financial stuff and a bit one sided, but very different. I do like the style tho'.