The Corruption of Democracy

Well it's about time...

Fitzgerald berates both sides of politics - www.theage.com.au

The corruption of democracy - Opinion - www.theage.com.au

As you'll see in the articles from The Age newspaper, Tony Fitzgerald has finally said what has been obvious for many years. Mr Fitzgerald writes that the ethics of government have been abandoned by both sides of politics, and that the once noble concepts of leadership and community building have been lost.

This would be clear to anybody who has ever been involved directly in the political process. It quickly becomes obvious that politics is about winner, about gaining and maintaining power, and about looking after your mates. It is not about helping to create a better society, it is not about collaboration with the community to build something greater than all of us.

Instead, the modern democracy is about making decisions based on the impact this has in the ballot box. It is about saying what people want to hear rather than making the bold decisions to build a better Australia.

Where are the nation builders? Where are the women and men in politics who can actually show that they are committed to Australia rather than to themselves. There are far too few examples of real community leaders taking a stand, running for office, and effecting change in their community for good.

However, there are plenty of examples of young men and women becoming involved with political parties, of riding the cogs of the party machine, and then being rewarded with a safe seat, a ministerial portfolio, or a senior job in the public service.

As I once heard quoted about the ALP, "there are too many people who are more interested in getting a piece of green leather under their bum than developing and implementing policy for the betterment of the nation". This of course equally applies to the Liberal Party - and I should know because I've seen both sides from the inside.

Debate in this country is stifled. Decisions are made for popularity, rather than for the good of the nation. A close eye is always fixed to the polls to see any flicker of movement. "Average Jo" is left feeling isolated from the political process, while the political elite play their power games.

To quote Mr Fitzgerald:

"Politicians mesmerised by power seem to be unconcerned that, when leaders fail to set and follow ethical standards, public trust is damaged, community expectations diminish and social divisions expand."

I couldn't have said it better myself. So I won't. Read the article.