Al
True, many elections are won on grand motherhood statements or noble pronouncements - not evil in themselves.

Sometimes to solve the woes of inequity, solutions may in themselves create problems, it is not an easy task and many vested interest groups with their hand in the melting pot may taint the desired outcomes.

Most people who go into politics want to do what they think is right for their country (with some notable exceptions) even if we may not always agree. The issue comes down to how a party or candidate will go about achieving those goals and how much consultation with various groups is involved in coming to those conclusions.

Some think it good enough for a party to state their position prior to election with an indication of how they will pay for promises or policies.

Often, after the election process, there is no further accountability or involvement by citizens until the next election - that is the problem with our imperfect system. Our electoral system is also flawed allowing those (sometimes) with the lowest overall vote to win government.

The other aspect is increasing participation from the citizenry other than at election time, and how that might be achieved.

All these issues come under the banner of governance - a noble ideal in itself particularly in the international arena. How it can be achieved or even improved is indeed a tricky business but we should not stop trying because it might be too hard.

A relevant story from today's 'National Times':

<< Fickle voters desert Labor in search of greener pastures

ANDREW STEVENSON
June 8, 2010

The sudden, massive - and for Kevin Rudd, potentially catastrophic - departure of more than 1.1 million voters from Labor's camp in only three months is anything but an overnight sensation. The power and reach of the two great political tribes has been in decline in Australia for four decades. >>

http://tiny.cc/avpq8

>>> The power and reach of the two great political tribes has been in decline in Australia for four decades <<<

I can only hope the decline continues and we achieve political parties who are interested and devoted in governing for the nation. And that finally the penny will drop the our planet is not infinite and the key to sustainability is co-operation rather than exploitation.

Will be voting Greens (again) at both state and federal levels this year as I have for the past 15 years.

Yes Severin I will be doing the same.

I love the way the Greens are painted as 'something to be feared' when parties get worried about their voting base. They can't win a trick sometimes with the Conservative vote, we have some playing the socialist conspiracy card only to be outdone by the Greens as a capitalist conspiracy.

Gotta laugh.

Another excellent article about the Greens in Australia, written by the former national president of the erstwhile Australian Democrats, from 'The Drum' today:

<< It's time

Aron Paul

Both established major parties are on the nose. Diving popularity for Abbott and Rudd and a rejection of their parties by nearly one in four voters have led some, including former Democrat leader Natasha Stott-Despoja to muse whether it 'might even be time for a new political party?'

So far however, the Greens have been the beneficiary and are proving more electorally effective than their Democrat predecessors which they replaced on the cross-benches.

The surge in the Green polling to up to 16 per cent, along with the party's recent 20 per cent record in the Tasmanian election, shows that criticism suggesting the party would be unable to attract a broad base of support has proven to be unfounded. >>

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2920791.htm

You have a rather odd understanding of what happens when you put yourself forward for public office, Boaz.

>>I stated that if I stood for election... I'd stand on what I believe... they would compile a list of things they feel are detrimental to that cause... But the last thing I want to do is become such a target... I have no association with National Front groups :) oh..I know.. they would tie me in with the 'exlusive' brethos<<

The reality is that all of your attitudes, opinions, musings, likes and dislikes will be open to scrutiny.

For example, if you are ashamed of being associated with the Exclusive Brethren, you are going to have to come right out and say it. There'll be no place for Boaz-style evasion and circumlocution out on the hustings.

The fact is, your history here alone will reveal that you have a very specific view of religious observance, a history of inflicting corporal punishment on teenage daughters, a (somewhat recently acquired) penchant for economic conspiracy theory, a set of rather firm views on immigration, a largely expedient view on international competition in your market segment, and a fascination with the policies of the BNP.

On that last topic, here's some free advice. "HOPE not hate" is a far more acceptable concept to the general public than "HATE not hope". You fell into a hole with your blind foray into the politics of Barking; don't make the same mistake, by misreading the basic decency of the general public.

By the way, did you see the Barking t-shirt on the HOPE not hate website? Cute, eh?

I've probably missed out a few areas that could be of interest, but those headlines would be tough enough to work with, even with the support of "your mob" in Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs.

Incidentally, I have no doubt whatsoever that you will stand on what you believe. But you must forgive me if I find that a source of some gentle amusement, rather than an indication of your potential for inspiring leadership.