Saving our democracy
I HAVE been reading letters to the editor in the Townsville Bulletin for decades and more recently texts to the editor.
Has anyone noticed most letters express dissatisfaction with decisions made by local, state and federal governments?
The letter and text writers are trying to influence those who are making poor decisions and also hoping to influence other readers of the same.
I see these letters and texts as a desperate attempt to be heard, to have input into the decisionmaking process within our local, state and federal arenas.
This is indicative of a failing representative system that is ignoring the will of the majority of electors at all levels of government within Australia.
The dire situation is partly due to ignorance of the elected representatives.
They fail to understand what is democratic constitutional representative government.
It is also due to the ignorance and lack of education of the people of Australia as to what our roles are in relation to the constitution.
In fact, many Australians are unaware we even have a constitution, let alone what is contained within this sacred document.
This being the case, it is very easy to see why we have the present situation where the majority are being ignored and an almost dictatorial system exists, which history shows will end badly.
We are being governed by minority groups as a result of the constitution being not understood.
Those meant to be responsible for protecting the people from this situation are failing in their roles.
I refer to the Australian Government solicitor, the Governor- General, and in particular our democratically elected representatives.
Recent elections have clearly demonstrated dissatisfaction with political party politics.
We have one democratic vote for the representative of our choice and that is where it ends.
To ensure democratic representation of the majority of the electors continues beyond the polling booth we, the people of Australia, must ensure a clause be included within our constitution via a referendum at the next federal election.
This clause would be to ensure the above situation is not allowed to continue.
The clause would simply state that elected representatives were obligated to seek the will of the majority of electors via ballots, regular meetings which allow debate and input and voting rights of all electors.
We do not need a new state, we do not need a new system of government – we just need to finetune the wonderful system we have. It is a system that has protected us for so long as one of the world’s oldest and most successful democracies.
This small change will ensure political parties and minority groups do not dictate policy which is in opposition to the will of the majority of electors ( the people).
Let’s advance Australia in restoring direct democratic representational democracy and give power back to the majority of the people.
BRENDAN BELL,
Rasmussen.