Middleground

Mayhew lamented the disintegrating structure of social life and blamed politics. He said there was no longer any public deliberation because of a lack of meaningful policy issues on the public agenda; too much one sided communication from politicians; evasive, strategic responses that spin rhetorical descriptions rather than supply straightforward answers; and appeals to individual self interest over the common good.

Bauxite mining wont cut it. Nether will blood oaths to repeal legislation.

The Economist says such a huge gap in the middle, in countries other than America, would see the creation of a third party to represent the alienated majority.

As in America and in Australia, however, there are institutional and financial barriers to starting a new political party.

So boys and girls, start thinking about meaningful policy issues, two-way communication, straightforward factual information and the common good. Then act for the long term.