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Realism and democracy

By Syd Hickman - posted Thursday, 31 January 2013


The ALP will continue to offer token gestures instead of real change, arch conservatism on moral values, cash handouts, and the continued undermining of serious public health and education systems. The Libs will promise to do nothing despite the obvious need for action, and they will mean it. Both have chosen leaders to please tiny but powerful interest groups (union officials and conservative Christians), not to please the public.

The Greens will continue their role as the party for those 8% or so who have a very deep need to feel morally superior the rest of us while ignoring all reality that does not fit their dream of making everything "nice" all the time. At least their intellectually dishonesty and self-righteousness will continue to limit their appeal.

In a democracy we do indeed get the government we collectively deserve. There has never been a time when political action by sane realists was more needed or more likely to succeed, or enthusiasm for it less apparent.

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As various crises hit maybe there will be some re-engagement and new ideas put into political action. Action now would be very productive, but who is interested?

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About the Author

Syd Hickman has worked as a school teacher, soldier, Commonwealth and State public servant, on the staff of a Premier, as chief of Staff to a Federal Minister and leader of the Opposition, and has survived for more than a decade in the small business world.

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