Five Big Issues

Now that the Opposition have demonstrated their complete incompetence after two days of irrelevant questions in the Parliament - do you think there is a chance for the Parliament to get back to looking out for the nation and the people?

No - didn't think so.  Jeez Australia we seem to have acquired an Opposition with no skills or policies and no idea and a Government that talks big but delivers small.

Really how is it possible for example to talk incessantly about Gonski - and then have no plans to fund it?  Nothing can get done while both the Government and the Opposition focus on those magical powers of a "Budget Surplus".  Look I know that weird conservatives think a surplus is mandatory - but what is Labor's excuse?  How did we end up with this circus?

In the absence of any leadership or focus on the big issues - I thought that I would bring my own.  So here are five things that I reckon we should have an adult conversation about in the lead-up to the next election.

Just watch as politicians duck and weave around them.

* The US Alliance - Firstly what is it - what are we Australian's committed to - and who committed us?  When we understand those things then we need to have a proper conversation about what we want it to be and how we can get it there.  If you want to see a politician squirm then ask them these questions.

* Climate Change - It's very clear that our feeble attempts to date are not enough.  We need to get serious about this issue and actually do something of substance.  It won't matter if the next Government is Labor or Liberal - both will need to step up and take the people with them.  Trouble is neither of the current political leaders have the neurons or the cojones.  The carbon tax is here to stay - and it probably needs to get bigger soon - regardless of the views of the fossil fuel industry.  Watch as your politicians run away from this one.

* War Initiation - I am personally not going to handle it very well if either Abbott or Gillard were to commit us to another half-arsed war - without any discussion or approval by the Parliament.  All Members of Parliament should take a similar position - why wouldn't they? We citizens need to fix this - because it appears that our politicians won't - they will send your kids off to die but they won't discuss it with you beforehand.  Remember that when next you vote.

* Our Expectations of Government - Government's can't do very much because they have offloaded important assets and outsourced major services.  But they won't ever acknowledge that.  It's all part of keeping you in the dark and fed maximum BS.  So we need to take the lead and have a proper conversation - about what we expect from Government.  And when we have agreement then we ought to instruct our politicians.  Or if they like they can participate - but we the people should set and drive the agenda.

* Fixing our Media - Lord leveson is about to report on Uncle Rupert's unpleasant little fantasy in the UK.  Instead of tripping around the issues here - we need to take a proper stand and make our media accountable.  No if's, no buts, no maybe's.  Just do it.

If we had a political class who were genuinely interested in looking out for our nation - then we wouldn't need to raise these things.  But we don't.