And I am quite sure that if people didn't threaten politician's (and their families) with physical violence; insisting that the politicians familiarise themselves with public transport and the general state facilities would be a great way to teach them about unmet needs. But we are living in dangerous times, where racial violence is considered legitimate political action. For some people, it has become too dangerous to even walk down a street that is too far away from home.

Spendocrat,
"Ok, so perhaps my salary amount was too modest. Double it, the sentiment remains the same I think."
OK, then they have only themselves to blame if they don't deserve their bonuses.

Steve,
"Maybe performance based pay is the answer. I know my local member (Fairfax electorate) would starve :)"
Hahaha we'll end up with our MP's living in third world conditions.

Perhaps politicians need only to be a pawn to act out what the public wants.
If there was a system that listed all the different topics, the public could discuss them first and then decide what they want and vote- the task of the politicians would just be to act upon our wishes.

There is a party in Holland, called IPNL (internet party nederland) now (it's a world premier) which discusses a different topic every week. Politicians could be involved in the discussion as part of their job to inform people, to give suggestions, alternatives etc.

People can discuss it first (much like as we do on OLO), read what the politicians are suggesting, make up their minds about the issue and at the end of the week there's a poll.
According to the votes, politicians have to get into action to obey the wishes of the public.
Sounds OK to me.
It's a new party, so they don't have any seats yet, and of course there's no experience of how it's going to work, but I suppose the idea is workable. (especially if politicians are able to earn a bonus).

The only problem I can see ATM might be corruption- like messing with the votes. But the system we have now is not without corruption either.

Also, people would have to have time and access to the internet to be involved in the discussion.
I'm sure solutions will be found for this problem as well- perhaps updated by the media could be given and people could vote by telephone by giving a security numer or tax file number or something.

Spendocrat, the only honest politician is one who when bought stays bought. The idea of limiting wage is a great one, but as already highlighted, terribly impractical.

Enforcing other limitations on their lifestyles is far more likely to achieve something. Rather than having inner city traffic brought to a standstill so these toffeenoses can be driven through unimpeded, quite rightly make them catch trains and buses--"all stops" trains and buses.

To limit their squandering of our funds on alcohol, take away their drivers.

It doesn't matter whether they pay high-priced medical insurance or not, because "public medical care" should be compulsory.

I think you see where I'm going here...

Anyone who is working for me to make our country better ought to be well paid. They are doing a very important job.

What I want to see cut out is the crap that we get in parliament. It is just disgusting that our leaders are the worst verbal abusers in the land.

They don't deserve respect until they can show each other respect and decency!