Oh yeah, my apologies, I'd forgotten that this forum isn't really for serious discussion ... just a mutual admiration centre for dullards with attitude.

What we need in this country is a political system in which citizens actually have a real say in decision making and politicians actually represent their electorates.

I'd suggest that the first thing we need to do is change the system so that instead of listening to promises and electing on the basis of what politicians say that they'll do, we rate them on what they've done. Let's have a league table and rate each politician according to how well they've done. They could be ranked on work for their electorate, work for the national interest, and work for humanity. The government could comprise the top rated individuals and the Prime Minister could be 'player of the season' so to speak. That way, John and Judy Citizen would actually have a say and politicians of all persuasions would have to work together to actually deal with issues.

In addition, I'd suggest that we introduce Citizen Initiated Referenda for all major decisions so that they really do reflect what people want.

However, as none of this is likely to happen, I'd suggest that at very least, all ballot papers be changed to include an option for 'none of the above'. That would at least allow a more realistic appraisal of the relative support for individual parties than the farcical situation that pertains now.

YP! goodonya!that first line in your last post saved me a lot of time.
I get this from it, the understanding we need not bother communicating, we have nothing to talk about.
Foxy and others, continue always to talk to them as adults, always.
3 long dreadful months it took a stroke to kill my mum and while she could understand she could not speak.
Every effort you make is worth while, my best wishes to you.
Thread idea, verbal snobbery, is it a fault?
Hasbeen, once QLD had a very good health system, we can not except things as they are, it is true, Tony Abbott not very long ago wanted what Rudd is now trying.
You, I every one should demand far better, but be warned about increasing cost.

Sorry Belly,
For interrupting your thread

YP.
My apologies if my concerns interrupted your "serious discussion"

It should be pointed out that the CIR argument has been thrash out several time.
I might point out the cost of a CIR let alone a series of them.
Then there is the issue of increasing pressure group power.

The theory is fine but the practicality is part of the issue.
One could argue that all you would do is formalize the power of specific interests i.e. Capital.

The problem is in the party system and the ever increasing power of capital. Elections are becoming more expensive to run thus governments are becoming more subservient to the forces of those with money. Even if elections were paid for by the states banning outside donations.Only corporations/ the trade union can afford the $100's millions of media campaigns.

... and what do you mean by 'verbal snobbery'? It appears that it is a term you apply to those who write clearly, can punctuate appropriately, and who understand what a sentence is and what it isn't.

Just as a fish probably wouldn't swim very well if its head was behind its tail and its dorsal fin on its side - so it is that words are rarely very effective when strung together haphazardly.

Structure is as necessary to the effective communication of meaning using language as it is to any other effective technology.

I have no quarrel with your apparent belief that everyone has an opinion and a right to express it. Nor do I disagree that many are reluctant to do so because they have poor literacy skills. That is not, however, a sound rationale for lowering standards but rather an argument for raising the skill level of those individuals.

Belly, instead of encouraging gibberish you would do better to encourage some literacy development so that there is an opportunity for correspondents such as Foxy, Examinator and yourself to more effectively express your thoughts and ideas in intelligible English.

And a good day to you, too.

As this thread is about why certain topics interest people enough to make them post, I have a question. I tend to look at the article and the previous posts and only tend to add something if I disagree with something that someone has said. Do others tend to think this way or am I argmentative?

PS Foxy, Severin & Examinator; Best wishes to your mothers.

Benk your posting style is ok but do you understand we only hear from you when you think it is worth it to you.
Contributions help from anyone a subject that grabs us all can come.
It is a great site made better by all who contribute.
YP I could defend my education, I have at times, but you won the debate for me.
I could not draft a better post to describe verbal snobbery.
A tip, self confidence can be a problem, if you both overestimate your verbal skills, and under estimate your opponents you are likely to fall at the net.
Verbal tennis is best played with some strings in the racket.
And this is not my thread bend it shake it like every thread I ever started it belongs to every one who wants to post subject to GYs laws