The Idle Thoughts Of A DayDreamer

The last couple of weeks have been rather interesting in Australian politics. It seems that we not only expect our politicans to lie, we also don’t care. I’ve been dubbed naive for thinking (or hoping) to contary… as if this is some eternal truth that I have been unaware of.

In a previous post, I spoke about such freedom with the truth. Only 36% of those questioned believed Howard told the truth. Therefore 64%, two in three, believe Howard is essentially a liar. Yet, he still remains preferred Prime Minister by some margin over both Costello and Beasley.

What is wrong with the Australian electorate?

According to ACNielsen pollster John Stirton, “people expect politicians to behave like politicians and so are prepared to forgive the PM as long as he is seen to deliver”. In other words, if it doesn’t effect me financially, who cares! We assume that our politicans will lie, and when they do, it only reinforces what we believed. This is totally unacceptable. Conversations on the topic have reinforced this, but everyone seems to shrug their shoulders and say “what can you do about”… or “the other guy/party is no better”. That is no reason to accept our leaders being dishonest. As I’ve said previously, our leaders reflect and represent us. Everything they do is done in our name. Well, this DayDreamer is saying enough is enough!

How many of us are waiting for the opportunity to do some great thing for the betterment of our community, forgetting that the solution of the problem requires only the active intelligent, fulfillment of individual civic duty. The only things which are wrong about our Government are the things which are wrong with you and me. Democracy is never a thing done; it is and always will be a goal to be achieved. It means action, not passive acquiescence in things as they are; it requires alertness to duty, a dynamic faith, a willingness to give for the good of all. It can live only as a result of loyalty and devotion to its principles expressed by daily deeds.
–Douglas L. Edmonds

To read more, check out a Michelle Gratten article from The Age here.