tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1463460182742272082.post5168830272281112745..comments2023-12-11T05:25:44.427+11:00Comments on Andrew Catsaras: Independent analysis and observations of Australian politics: "Take me to your follower" or "A little learning is a dangerous thing"Andrew Catsarashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667959143439102399noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1463460182742272082.post-2434262162225048252011-03-28T13:48:25.988+11:002011-03-28T13:48:25.988+11:00A good article Andrew; I've often said that th...A good article Andrew; I've often said that the trouble with current politics is, "there are too many politicians and not enough statesmen", which I believe is largely the point you make.<br /><br />Sadly, it may actually be worse than that in that I cannot identify a single statesman or stateswoman in the current political arena. There are one or two individuals who have taken statesman like stances in relation to protection of whistleblowers or the environment but these are single-issue individuals who have not yet shown the broad vision to lead this great nation to be all it can be. Sad.<br /><br />Can it be that hard?<br /><br />One succinct strategy that could define Australia's contribution to the betterment of the World over the next 50-100 years seems obvious to me. It could provide direction to a nation that seems a bit directionless at the moment, it expands on Australia's current capabilities, it would address a need that will become desparate during the 50-100 year time frame, and it would be seen by the World as a significant beneficial contribution while ensuring the growth and prosperous development of Australia.<br /><br />Succinctly, "With 3 billion more mouths to feed by 2100 Australia should commit to development that will ensure we can feed 50% of them".<br /><br />It isn't hard to see what result this would provide for both the World and Australia. It is achievable, would not require Australia's population to grow dramatically, would utilise and thereby protect our natural resources, and would provide security for Australia as a country and Australians as a people.<br /><br />Ping me on twitter if anyone reading this would like to discuss it.<br /><br />@GregLBean<br /><br />And to be completely transparent, I have been thinking about getting into politics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1463460182742272082.post-66433287699038519772011-03-08T18:34:54.640+11:002011-03-08T18:34:54.640+11:00Perhaps it is because most politicians focus on &#...Perhaps it is because most politicians focus on 'marketing' themselves and their parties with the aim of getting or staying in power. If that is the aim, then of course pandering to the popularity contest is the best tactic to achieve that.<br /><br />However, if wanting to actually do some good, that means putting the need of the nation (state, council area) above that of staying / getting in power. In fact, it sometimes means making a far-sighted decision that is so unpopular at the time that losing the seat / failing to win the seat because of that decision is pretty much a certainty. Actually making that hard and unpopular decision - knowing one will go to their political death if they do - takes real vision, real guts, real integrity. <br /><br />Its a rare politician indeed that can look 10, 20, 30, 50, even 100 years in the future and see what we need to do *now* to make things better, even if there's going to be short term pain for long term gain. Paul Keating, for all his shortcomings, sorted out our economy so that we survived - even prospered - during the GFC, but lost the election because of it. Peter Beattie risked his career on water recycling. There are no doubt others, but those are the politicians who brave the election backlash, and actually *get things done*.<br /><br />Those who are more interested in getting / retaining power are only ever going to give us cake. But thats not always what we *need*.Yowie9644https://www.blogger.com/profile/12801518001288013226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1463460182742272082.post-18750708312520511662011-02-05T12:06:30.580+11:002011-02-05T12:06:30.580+11:00Hi Dom, delighted to see one of my ex-pupils on he...Hi Dom, delighted to see one of my ex-pupils on here.<br /><br />It's true, successful marketers can lead the market with new products/services, but they can't lead their customers, they are actually leading their competitors. They are still following what their customers' want, even though it isn't easy to see at the time.<br /><br />Political leaders, if they are leading, are also giving the public what they want - leadership. The mistake they make is thinking that what the public wants will be found in focus groups - it won't. That is why they come unstuck. <br /><br />Leadership is doing what you believe is in the best interests of the nation and then convincing the public, if required, of the merit of your position.Andrew Catsarashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05667959143439102399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1463460182742272082.post-81565724266544852572011-02-03T19:38:44.434+11:002011-02-03T19:38:44.434+11:00Very interesting read. Arguably the most successfu...Very interesting read. Arguably the most successful marketers also lead the market rather than developing their concepts on the basis of market research eg Apple<br /><br />PS I was in one of your classes at UNSW years ago!TokyoEaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794173949043080841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1463460182742272082.post-39070814811853981552011-01-27T11:14:24.398+11:002011-01-27T11:14:24.398+11:00Hi, Followed the link from Poll Bludger [credit wh...Hi, Followed the link from Poll Bludger [credit where credit is due :) ]<br /><br />So, do we get the government we deserve or deserve the government we get?Way2fargonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07456734366722986054noreply@blogger.com