Do you believe 'em?

34 comments so far

• Interesting view but I must ask - how precisely do we "hold our politicians to account"? As a nation, we kicked out the Libs in 2007 and voted Labour, now we are about to kick out Labour and put back the Libs, who we kicked out previously!
  Not a lot of options in a two horse race.

  Commenter

  PeterF

  Location

  Bathurst, NSW

  Date and time

  August 29, 2013, 7:15PM

  • Good point. We need to fix the system basically. Accountability must be at every step of the way not just at election time - which solves nothing.

    I think the WikiLeaks Party should get in the Senate for a start. Given Julian Assange's track record of not taking any 'nonsense' from the most powerful country in the world he'll apply that blowtorch to whoever is leading after Sept 7.
    .

    Commenter

    Kaytee

    Location

    Sydney

    Date and time

    August 30, 2013, 8:59AM

  • A few day ago I sent the following letter to the Prime Minister of Australia and to the Leaders of all the Political Parties. I wonder how many people are really concerned, also if any of the Political Leaders will take the time to read and try to understand the sentiment of the ordinary people (you and me). After sending the letter I watched several programs on TV and the same old routine continues when the Political Leaders are asked questions and the blaming of everybody else for the problems that confront all of us. Mind you, a couple of times I heard a Leader or two say something good without putting down the other Leaders or their parties (some minor but important progress here). Perhaps my prayers are not entirely in vain and the truth is starting to sink in. Let's keep an open and positively healthy approach to the whole situation.
    
    Open letter to the Prime Minister of Australia and the Leaders of all Political Parties:

    My dear friends and fellow citizens of one of the most beautiful countries in the world, I feel entitled to see expressed by all politicians, honesty, integrity, sincerity, real concern for every human being. I would like to see that all politicians treat all citizens and other members of the community with utmost respect and acknowledgment that we are intelligent, willing to cooperate and be fruitful in all our endeavors to experience happiness, harmony, peace, progress and love towards our fellow man (and woman) regardless of political persuasion, religion, sexual orientation, or any other discriminatory tag that society likes to peg on individuals. (continues...)

    Commenter

    Carlos A. gonzalez

    Location

    Maroochydore, Queensland

    Date and time

    August 30, 2013, 10:29AM

  • (from previous)Demands: (what many will consider UTOPIA because they don't have the guts to implement it)

    1)When you talk, make sure you give us the impression that you are offering the best of your ability to do what is necessary to run the country, never putting down the opponents and people who disagree with your views, but always emphasizing the good qualities that you have, which must include love to your fellow man (and woman). If you have nothing good to say about your opponents, say nothing, but insist on your good points. Politicians who have plenty of good to offer do not have time to criticize others. Why? Because there is no time to waste but to work hard in doing the job of governing Australia. Stop bringing back bad things about your opponents, think instead of all the good things you do.
    2)When asked question by the media or any individual in the public domain, answer the question directly, clearly and precisely so we can all understand. (Not excuses like: 'I will get to the point but first I must... etc, etc,'). I have noticed many times that the same trend is always follow, beat around the bush and forcing the questioner to repeat the question over and over again. The public cannot tolerate this any longer. Be the man or woman you are supposed to be.
    3)Australia must show solidarity towards refugees, they are our brothers and sisters, they are fellow human beings, they all deserve dignity and respect, they do not escape their countries for fun, they need help, tend that hand and give them the glass of cold water without thinking about the consequences.

    Commenter

    Carlos A. gonzalez

    Location

    Maroochydore, Queensland

    Date and time

    August 30, 2013, 10:31AM

  • (ffrom previous) 1)The amount of refugees is increasing all over the World. Increase the amount of refugees taken at least threefold. (this is the only way to stop the boats and getting rid of those that take advantage of their predicament). Be an example to other countries. Show that AUSTRALIA loves, never hates.
    2)Make us feel that we can trust you and support you, not due to personality or party strength but because you like to do the right thing according to your sense of propriety and dedication to improve the nation as a whole, not only your party members and those who vote for you. This is called integrity, and an honest desire to serve as a genuine statesman, leader and visionary. You will find that this alone will give you more votes. (food for thought)
    3)Finally, We, the voters, will vote for the candidates that show real love, compassion, strength, dedication to the basic human rights of all.
    (Noticed that I did not mention the economy? = Our economy is healthy always, the World knows!

    Commenter

    Carlos A. gonzalez

    Location

    Maroochydore, Queensland

    Date and time

    August 30, 2013, 10:33AM

  • (last bit) LET'S BUILD A COUNTRY THAT HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY AND PEACE

    Thanks for reading these honest and simple remarks,

    Carlos A. González
    A concerned citizen

    Commenter

    Carlos A. gonzalez

    Location

    Maroochydore, Queensland

    Date and time

    August 30, 2013, 10:34AM

  • There is one way to keep then somewhat to account. All election promises to be submitted during the first week of an election campaign and all electioneering be subject to the Trade Practices Act with massive fines for breaches. It would be good to include newspaper electioneering coverage here as well.

    Commenter

    Pollyho

    Location

    Date and time

    August 30, 2013, 11:03AM

  • Its a three horse race,trinity, the Greens will internationally be protected better than the environment .Many hands make light work.

    Commenter

    Kane

    Location

    Date and time

    August 30, 2013, 11:10AM

• Like Billy Connolly said years ago "the want or desire to be a politician should bar you from being one" When they stop speaking spin answer questions directly send stop giving themselves pay rises while we're told to have restraint and be more productive then I might have some respect for them but I know that will never happen.

  Commenter

  Bear

  Date and time

  August 29, 2013, 8:12PM

• One gets the feeling that the tide had gone out for K Rudd and Tony Abbott is riding a wave of support all the way to the Lodge. It,s time for a change!

  Commenter

  Magoo

  Date and time

  August 29, 2013, 8:35PM

More comments

Make a comment

You are logged in as [Logout]

All information entered below may be published.

Screen name (required)

Error: Please enter your screen name.

Error: Your Screen Name must be less than 255 characters.

Location (optional)

Error: Your Location must be less than 255 characters.

Your comments (required) 300 words remaining

Error: Please enter your comment.

Error: Your Message must be less than 300 words.

Post to

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

I understand that submission of this content is covered by the Conditions of Use by which I am bound and Commenting Guidelines are available for my reference.

You need to have read and accepted the Conditions of Use.