-----Original Message-----
From: David Kidd <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Sunday, 25 October 1998 5:51 PM
Subject: Neither's Core Principles???
>The description of Neither! given on its website is:
>>Neither! is a broad coalition of people and groups fighting for
>Proportional >Representation in Australia. We seek to smash the two party
>system.
>
>Whilst I support smashing the two party system, I need convincing that
>Proportional Representation is the best replacement. It is certainly not
>the ONLY replacement that would make a significant improvement, so I
suggest
>broadening Neither's stated aims to include other viable possibilities
(e.g.
>Citizens Intitiated Referenda).
>
>Rewritten, the statement may need to be as general as:
>"Neither! is a broad coalition of people and groups fighting to smash the
>two party system in Australia. We seek to install a system of government
>more responsive to the wishes of the people."
>
>Proportional Representation is not perfect, not without problems of its
own.
>For example it eliminates the (theoretical) representative of me and the
>area where I live... so if there is something I want to complain about
>locally, who do I go to see? I can't imagine someone elected by numbers
>coming from all over a state or country being particularly responsive to
>local concerns.
>
>On the other hand it is said of CIR that it doesn't matter who wins
>government... their errors can be overridden by referenda initiated by the
>people. And there are probably other improvements to the current system
that
>may appeal to members.
>
>However, there is another issue of perhaps greater importance, mentioned in
>several other postings to this list but not spelled out as one of Neither's
>core objectives.
>
>I refer to the ceaseless propaganda campaign the population is subjected to
>by the mass media (aided by big business and politicians of course). How
>can any correct decision be made democratically whilst the people are being
>mislead and subjected to subtle coercion all the time? If any proof is
>needed, consider how such a large percentage of voters can be conned into
>giving their primary votes to the major parties.
>
>So, is Neither willing to tackle the media head-on? Without winning this
>battle first, I can't see the establishment allowing you to achieve your
>other aims. Well, not in our lifetimes anyway!
Right there in the last two paragraphs is the whole crux of the matter Dave;
there is another problem - an enemy far more insidious than that above. Here
is a quote from a bloke who knows the problem first hand; one who was
successful in this century at beating the corporate state: 'This is what the
masses have done and continue to do to such people. So, what can I - a poor
bedouin - hope for a modern city of insanity? People snap at me whenever
they see me: build us a better house! Get us a better telephone line! Build
us a road upon the sea! Make a public park for us! Catch oceans of fish for
us! Write down a magic spell to protect us! Officiate at our wedding!. Kill
this dog, and buy us a cat! A poor, lost bedouin, without even a birth
certificate, with his staff upon his shoulder. A bedouin, who will not stop
for a red light, nor be afraid when a policeman takes hold of him.'
The quote is from a book by Qaddafi called 'Escape to Hell', and tells of a
people too stupid to even help themselves, even though he gave their country
back to them. Why are the poor poor and slaves slaves - they prefer it that
way. It was the Roman mobs on the dole that wanted the bread and circuses,
not Caesar.
>
>Dave
>--
>David Kidd Webmaster http://dkd.net E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Maryborough, Queensland 4650, Australia Phone (07) 4122 1120
>
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