It is well-known that politicians these days do not command the kind of respect that used to be given.

Could that be because politicians, in general, do not exhibit any respect for each other. It seems that the various parties are so hell-bent on wrenching power that they forget they are the employees of the voters of Australia. If anyone in a regular workplace behaved in the manner that politicians do, they would be out of a job very quickly, I'm sure.

Perhaps it is time that we, the voters of Australia, DEMANDED that our politicians put aside the personal and party-fuelled vitriole towards each other, and debated the policies on the merits of those policies, not their personal desire for power.

Maybe then we could begin to have some trust in them again, and therefore show some respect.

It might also help if the media stuck to the facts instead of trying to influence the voters with their own slant on each policy or party.

What do others think?

Well come Nellsbells
We have seen such threads before and few would not agree with the behavior you talk of.
We however fuel it too, Medea sells us comic book stuff and we take sides based on it.
POLICY'S get drowned as my side is always right takes over.
School yard bully tactics are on both sides.
And we need to look deeper, many fail to see the issues just the behavior.

I completely agree. But short of some sort French Revolution involving guillotines and large pikes scattered around parliament house in every city then we're pretty much screwed. Short of that, we really need to no confidence the entire lot.

I have NO faith in any of them. They couldn't run a brothel. I'm embarrassed for them.

Dear NellsBells,

It is a shame that what we're currently seeing -
is "wedge politics," - deliberating creating a
division between sectoral interests. Interest
group self-interest and antagonism between
citizens permeates policy making. It's a shame
that there is now a "them" and "us" divide,
rather then simply "us," and there's so much
effort employed in partisan politics - which
could (and should) be much better utilised in
positive pursuits.

What this country desperately needs is new
leadership. Because what we currently have is
putting it as politely as possible - pathetic!

Lexi

'What this country desperately needs is new
leadership. Because what we currently have is
putting it as politely as possible - pathetic! '

Wasn't that what you said when Ms Gillard took over?

"""
They couldn't run a brothel.
"""

Hehehe! But they know how to spend other peoples money visiting them :)

I think the whole face of politics is changing. Just like the Internet is revolutionising retail and trade. So too is it changing politics. I don't think the current lot of ticks have caught on as fast as the population. In fact I would go as far as to say that they're becoming irrelevant and what you're seeing is the last death throws of a dying, parasitic creature that's past its use by date. Interesting times ahead!

Policies Nell. Meaningful policies that will take Australia towards a healthy future. That’s what’s lacking.

Liberal and Labor, they’re just the same. Taking us down the road to ruin. Totally on the wrong track. Totally ballsing it all up. And the voters know it all too well.

That’s why we hate our pollies.

If we are going to talk about execution lets make it public.
Say hanging in main streets.
Leave the Polly's start with Medea reporters.
Stop after the first thousand.
instant improvement!

Raw mustard.
Anarchy is the phase which succeeds democracy, democracy doesn't bring order out of chaos it makes chaos out of order.
Mexico is a good example of a failed state, that is to say a society where the state is withering and the people are left to their own devices, not pretty is it?
I think as populations increase democracy becomes unrealistic, a small country like Sweden or Norway can still maintain a democracy but in say, Egypt or Pakistan there are just to many people to keep controlling.
Australia is getting too big for a federal government, if we had even greater de centralisation and a shift in responsible government to the local level we might see a better class of politician. The good people are in local councils and activist groups and most are dismissive of or openly contemptuous of Canberra.
Politics is the affairs of State (with a capital S, the corporation), the interests of the State don't always cross over with that of the Nation,reducing the role of the state in the affairs of the Nation is the way forward.

Dear runner,

You seem to have me mixed up with someone else.
Or are you just simply stirring to get a
reaction? I shall react in more depth - when
you say something intelligent.

oh goody..the love in is over
when did we stop respecting others?

after we saw polititrions
treating the lot of ya like fools..
[yes im included...in 'the lot of ya'

but giovt isnt there for you
its there for its mates

it picks ones with little self respect
[cause if you got the dirt on em..they vote as you say

the party line way
no govt slush funds should go to bailing out big business

thats treason
saddling us with your pals debt
stealing our super...taken under threat
govt top up big for big earners...*

the poor must pay....no waghe increase for you
we dont need consumers..no more if you got govt licence

ie the dirt on the dirty boy
[well know this..many are pedophiles...govt cars deliver them free kiddies door to door...to buy their party vote]

its time you knew
if you cant get the dirt on em
they dont get the party nomination

*in all parties

[party loyalty is treason]
im with belly...but halve the number

only 500
must [will?}..pay ...right?
doth anyone dare cast...the first name ?[stone]

no
truth is we dont got..*INFORMED concent!

the spin..got in

A Poll on Q&A disclosed that seventy-six percent of Australians think religion is not a force for good. Why? Because religions tell their adherents what to think and demand unquestioning obedience, no matter what.
Our current political landscape is the same. We fear independent politicians because we're told they only want to destroy our way of life, so we vote for parties that demand candidates who are prepared to be told what to think and will unquestioningly obey their inglorious leaders, no matter what. What's to respect in that sort of person?
I disagree with Lexi's statement that: "What this country desperately needs is new leadership." We don't need a leader, we need a bunch if intelligent, rational, thinking people dedicated to the best interests of humanity and Australian individuals. People who can think for themselves, listen to well researched advice and make the best decisions based on that, not on their personal preferences, or kick-backs from mates.

I couldn't agree more. We do need calm well reasoned
and intelligent people in our parliament. However
what we currently have is predominantly a two party
system that doesn't look as if it's about to change
any time soon. It would be wonderful if we could have
members from all sides as ministers in a unity administration
but it won't happen in the near future. I would love to
see Oakeshott or Windsor as Minister for regional
development and a member of the Coaliton as Speaker of
the House of Reps (oh wait - we've got Mr Slipper now).
Anyway - the best we can hope for at present as PM is
definitetly not someone who's ideologically a throwback
to the 1950s, who has a worrying tolerance for hate
speech, and a noisy contempt for one's political
opponents and who's anti- the republic, abortion, stem-cell
research, homosexuality, global warming, and wants his
rosary beads across the ovaries of all women.

Ah, Lexi,
How nice, we agree. Your description of our next leader is worrying indeed.

rosary beads across the ovaries of all women.
Lexi,
small typo or just plain ignorance but that should be australian females.

a throwback
to the 1950s, who has a worrying tolerance for hate
Lexi,
Have you been swallowing silly pills again ? Have a good read of Belly's thread re the gun crimes & you'll see what tolerance for hate by the present Government does to Sydney.
Ah, I just noticed you're playing ostrich on that subject as well.

the forum sems slowing
havnt read bellies guns and roses threat
but the law and order thing is in the media at the moment

and if it bleeds it leads
but the overies thing..that perked me up
and the catrholholicf [and muslim]..bead thing[referance]

is tony catholoic
obsessivly so

a gasp extreemist
my lord he is the next idi amin right
going to genocide half the population

beginning with his mum his wife
and four daughters [poetic licenious-nessless]
daughters three [we agree..then juliar and the gg next..dont forget the gg]

yes tony
get to wurk
before they think to found a green woman slush/fund
to look after them in their fragile reclining years

tony dont hate woman
no more than any wise man can[inevitable wil]
familularity somehow generates contempt

are we missings bill shortmans ..'mummies boy things"?
or not noticed cause we allready looking at tony

bias
your slip is showing

gotta get an ahhhh bra
mum swears by it

or rather stopped cursing
cause of 1

I'm sure your post is terribly clever, one under god, [BTW which god?] but I didn't really understand. Can you write it again in a couple of clear sentences?