[LINK] O/T Politicians [Was: Turnbull's address to the National Press Club]

[David Boxall]

On 4/08/2011 4:07 PM, Tom Koltai wrote:
> ...
> In other words, Politicians want to get re-elected and are prepared to
> destroy the economy to if it stands in between them and re-election.
>
> On the one hand we have politicians that want to spend money to look
> good to the electorate<Labor>
> On the other hand we have politicians that want to sell assets to look
> good to the electorate.<Liberals>.
>
> Neither side actually cares what their policies actually cost the
> electorate.
>
> The few excellent politicians that exist on both sides are hampered by
> party back-room politics from effecting any meaningful change.
> ...

A while back, in discussion of Westminster Democracy, a revealing phrase 
from the past came up: "Her Majesty's _loyal_ Opposition". There was a 
time when politicians and political parties were loyal to the Crown, the 
nation and the people. In Australia, the last politician to be loyal in 
that sense was probably Bob Menzies.

These days, few are loyal to anything but their own interests. And yes, 
they seem not to care about anything past winning the next election; 
even if it means fire & brimstone, death & destruction. So long as they 
win. Talk about losing their souls!

OK, maybe a bit harsh. Don Chipp impressed me as not completely up 
himself. Malcolm Turnbull maybe? Perhaps Turnbull really should start 
his own political party: <http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2738702.html>.

-- 
David Boxall                    |  Drink no longer water,
                                |  but use a little wine
http://david.boxall.id.au       |  for thy stomach's sake ...
                                |            King James Bible
                                |              1 Timothy 5:23