Standing up for our rights a vital part of democracy

I WAS asked the other day why I was so critical of this State Government, why I challenged it when it said no and why I persisted when it chose to ignore me and those I represent.

This was followed up by: “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

The answer lies in the fundamental principles of democracy, the right to be faithfully represented, the right to be heard, the right of freedom of speech and the right to peacefully dissent.

Clearly, like many others, I disagree with much of this Government’s agenda and some decisions, especially when it comes to the future of the Gold Coast, a city I passionately call home.

It is a long time between elections, three years where any government needs to be reminded it was elected to faithfully represent us, to see to our needs, to plan for our future, to uphold our safety and security and to respect the power we bestowed on it.

Power can have a corrupting influence. It can lead to arrogance and contempt.

If we as a society fail to make our feelings known in the clearest possible terms, by default, we relinquish our rights, feed the corrupting influence of power and get the government we deserve, a government which may not be the one we expected or were promised.

Some of us think with our heads, some with their hearts and then there are those who do not seem to think at all. Somewhere in there is a consensus, a majority view, a common vision.

If we believe that government is out of step with that, so is faithful representation.

We should not wait another two years to make our opinions felt. A lot can happen in that time, especially if a government is perceived to have its own agenda.

As to the question posed, soft pedalling my rhetoric with platitudes would only reinforce this Government’s irrational position on some issues. In the meantime, I have no intention to catch flies.

I’m more inclined to swat or spray them.