And, I guess, no-one is complaining either. But perhaps we just don't. Complain, I mean. We make the decisions these days ...don't we? We have 'personal rights'...
I say this after mulling over this weeks debate on ABC's Q&A program. (No, not bloody Clive - that was the week before!).
The subjects debated were as many and varied as always ...given they are 'thrown into the ring' by the crowd.
A few common threads did come together however around the opening and the closing topics: 'assisted suicide' and 'abortion'. It was clear to all and sundry in the studio that the very 'personal' nature of these matters really called for 'personal' decisions.
Paul Kelly (the revered journalist & feature guest on the program) very soberly reminded the passionate throng in closing that these matters are not 'personal' but are matters that have to be decided by 'society'; interesting choice of word as this gathering appeared to me to represent a very good cross section of 'society'.
What he meant of course was that such social mutterings indeed need to be ratified by our government and the processes that underpin it. Thereby the influences that control it - policy, strategy, media, churches, conservatism, vested interests, lobbyists, short term thinking, Eddie Obeid, Clive Palmer, or ...indeed, failure to make that "courageous decision, minister" (ex 'Yes Minister' BBC TV series).
The subject didn't come up. But I can't help but throw 'gay marriage' into this mix as well. Being supplementary to these matters in that 'we - persons in society' would love to change the 'status quo' of this matter as well. However we cannot influence it at all either, as our politicians are too busy 'rabbiting on' about matters that quite frankly no-one should really need care about at all (eg: a budget - due process - duh!).
Kevin Rudd campaigned in 2007 on a 'for gay marriage platform' and yet then lost interest as soon as he was elected. Julia Gillard, in going forward with it, dismissed it summarily as "not happening on her watch".
So, it kind of takes me back to where we started with the convicts and the imperial masters way back in our colonial days. There is only one group making decisions and it sure isn't the convicts. But hey we 'convicts' make our own decisions these days ...don't we?
Is this democracy? Perhaps, I'd better start this again. I don't think it is.
What the hell is wrong with our political system? More to the point ...what is right with it? All this current comment re '24x7' media is becoming increasingly pertinent - no one is game to make a decision as someone out there mightn't like it.
There is a new factor here we bring - 'social media'. We can influence, but we can't change. Maybe we just have to try a little harder. Our regimental cigar smoking 'masters' also need to find a way to deal with it (other than the ostrich approach) as it isn't going away soon.
This current senate stand-off with the budget is relevant in only one real way; we elect these people and give them a mandate to make decisions. They need to be able to make them or we really will have a society in crisis and everyone will have to just make their own 'personal' decisions.
But somehow I think that is what is happening anyhow! So why the hell should people feel guilty over making their own personal decisions then worry about getting thrown into jail for doing so?
Bloody stupid eh? But what would I know ...and what right have I got? ...my forefathers were convicts. I've paid taxes for forty years though. Mmm ...perhaps I'd better start over.
Might start a senate party campaigning on 'personal rights'.
PS: Clive, you'd better stop watching the headlights soon 'laughing boy' or you'll get run over by a mighty big truck (perhaps you feel you are bathing in a spotlight!) You should know Aussies don't suffer fools for too long mate!
Right of Passage
It's your time
Lovely boy
your hard work's almost done
Acceptance wasn't easy
in a school designed for some
Your progression has been honest
Your plans so well thought through
Adulthood came quickly
from your trials
Yet it'll take time
Lovely boy
to see a fairer state
In a society
designed just for some
designed just for some
Why do politicians we elect
hide so well from truth?
Can we allow this
mere 'opinion on the run' ?
Own the space
Lovely boy
look to those who lead
Accept things that can't be changed
yet fight for what you need
Equal rights are there for all
no matter how it sometimes seems...
Don't let anybody
keep you
Don't let anybody
keep you
from your dreams!!!
Forwarded from my iPhone - Grahame J Flynn
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