Sandwiches, Soap Operas and the Federal Government

I never intended to write about politics. Ever. Quite frankly the whole thing frustrates me.

Whilst I don't pretend to be a political expert, I too looked on as the Labor Party became more and more self-destructive and then ultimately imploded into itself.

This past week, we bore witness to the irony that was as the former PM 'knifed' (to quote the media) the current PM who had previously 'knifed' the former PM who recently promised he would never 'contest' the current leadership.

I know I was confused too.

At this point, the Labor Party is looking more like a daytime soap opera than a group of intelligent driven people who are supposed to be serving the best interests of their citizens. We all like a good soap opera, but when the principal actor is the Prime Minister of our country rather than Ron Moss (and his chiseled jaw) its becomes embarrassing and unacceptable. And at this point, the only difference we can find between such soap operas and the Federal Government is that the soap operas don't pretend to be self-serving egoists - they just are.

I may sound harsh. I know. But as an Australian citizen, I have a deep care, love and strong sense of patriotism towards my beautiful country. This is about our leaders losing sight of their purpose and their people in pursuit of power.

This is a problem.

I have seen the preaching of values (by the PM) and then break them time and again in the constant battle to prove her legitimacy as a prime minister (which in my view has nothing to do with her gender, another post for another day). And last week she failed, as her own party voted her out. Then we watched as another disingenuous leader, (previously tried and tested, mind you) preach to us the Aussie dream.

And at this point, I hoped to God that the rest of Australia had the capacity to see through the empty promises and the absolute smugness. As we watched another PM we didn't elect take the stage in front of the National Press Gallery, the country and the world (see NY time, Washington Post and the rest of the internet) I can't help feeling failed and perhaps rejected as a citizen. The government has forgotten us. Democracy is absent. And we are left helpless, bewildered and left with a strong sense of deja vu as he promises 'a fair go for all'. But honestly this is not fair (broken promises already) and unjust.

As the new PM speaks I feel like he is that ex, promising that 'this time it will be different' but knowing that nothing will change. But we deserve change, we deserve better. We have a right to expect more. To demand a standard of our leaders.

There has been a lot of discussion in recent times around the lack of respect that we have paid to the Prime Minister. Talk about the presumed respect of this role. School children throwing (perfectly edible) sandwiches at our former prime minister.

Shock, disgust and criticism of schools and parents for allowing for such behaviour. But is anyone really surprised? If we expect such standards of school children surely we should expect the same, if not more from our leaders, after all, they are our role models. Anyone who's watched Question Time can tell you that this is not the case. Respect is lost in favour of passive aggression (or just outright aggression), yelling and unproductive childish insults also feature. This government has shown us, lies, deceit and backstabbing time and time again.

How can we expect more of our students when our own leaders are acting like school children?

And what about us, respect for us, your citizens, hearing our voices, listening to our needs rather blatantly ignoring us (Ala Carbon Tax). Kevin Rudd, (and whoever wins the next election - may it come sooner rather than later- Amen) if you want to engage the youth (and everyone else), rather then trying (and failing) to use 'Gen Y' lingo (and alienating half if not all of the nation), why don't you just use a word we can all understand -RECIPROCITY. Oh and some active listening skills might come in handy as well.