Here’s a conspiracy theory for you: A malevolent clique, possibly aliens, has turned politics into another form of reality television, and a cult of personality blinds us to their secret, evil agenda.
Has anyone noticed how personal politics has become in recent years – like the past decade or so? More and more, the media (and us!) seem to be playing the man not the ball.
Politics has probably always been a triumph of style over substance. But it seems to me that in recent years, the style of political debate has shifted from sweeping platitudes and sloganeering, to presidential popularity contests.
Take the fall-out from the budget. Many groups have legitimate criticisms, and there is an ideological push to the budget that is probably worth debating. But all of that seems to have been drowned out by Tony Abbott’s “betrayal of trust”, a sleezy wink, and a mysterious scholarship for his daughter.
And now there’s a new generation of Abbott-haters – to follow the Gillard haters and the Howard haters. (The Rudd haters were mostly in the Labor party itself, and never had that much of a social media presence.) And twitter and facebook have lit up with rants and raves directed squarely at Tony Abbott – as if he were the devil’s own head prefect – while the role of the Liberal party machine is largely over-looked. Hockey, who actually signed off on the budget, would have probably been entirely forgotten as well – if it weren’t for those awkward photos with cigars.
Seriously, who cares? There’s an attempt to fundamental realign the structure of Australian society, setting the course for the next century, and we’re getting all worked up about who winked at who. Really?
Can we dumb down politics any further?
It is interesting though to think about why this is happening. I reckon there are three inter-related factors. And possibly some aliens.
The first is that we, as humans, aren’t that good at dealing with complex, nuanced pictures of the world. We want it to be simple. As close to black and white as possible. This is understandable. There’s only so much time in the day, only so much mental energy to give to the world. Just tell me what I need to know, leave the details to someone else.
But this isn’t just about isolated facts. It applies to entire frameworks of understanding. And so we fall back on archetypes, and narrative models we feel comfortable with.
And one of the archetypes we have is the ‘mad tyrant’. The sadistic King Joffrey in Game of Thrones, the evil Emperor in Star Wars, the jealous queen in snow white – the list goes on and on.
And these characters are fundamentally one-dimensional. The evil Emperor just digs evil. There’s no reason. He just does.
Take George W Bush pitch for the war in Iraq, or was it the war against terrorism….
There is evil in the world. Evil men obsessed with ambition and unburdened by conscience must be taken very seriously, and we must stop them before their crimes can multiply.
Got it. There’s some evil super villain in a lair somewhere, and you want money to go kill him. Sure, whatever. Let me get back to the football.
But it cuts both ways. And now the Abbott haters are convinced he’s a mad tyrant who just likes watching poor and disabled people suffer. It’s not that he has different values and beliefs – he’s an unhinged psychopath.
It’s a useless and stupid characterisation.
But this is the way people work, and the political machine has picked up on it. The Coalition milked it for all it was worth with Gillard. Now Labor will do the same…
The other thing our overwhelmed minds do is substitute rational processes for feelings, if complexity overwhelms us. That is, if asked to make a decision about something – say, is A better than B? – if we don’t have all the information we need, or the decision is too complex to get our head around, then our brains automatically substitute in a question that we can answer. And that is, do I like A more than B?
We bring it back to ‘feelings’.
This is a foundational principle in marketing. So when you go into a shop to buy a drink, you’re not evaluating all previous experiences of available drinks, and the information you know about ingredients and flavours and what-ever. No. You’re not asking yourself, is Coke better than Pepsi?
You’re asking yourself, which one do I like more? Subconsciously.
And that’s why companies like Coke pour billions of dollars into advertising that has no information what-so-ever, but simply tries to build up positive associations with the brand. Beautiful people playing by the beach.
They just want to be liked.
For the great majority of people it’s the same story come polling day. There’s no rational analysis of policies or ideological direction. It’s just, who do I like more?
Again, the political machines have picked up on this, and it’s all about selling the man not the message. Or if you’re in opposition, attacking the (wo)man. Personality politics trumps everything else.
The last factor I think is the rise of reality TV. We’re shamelessly encouraged to see the world through judging eyes. And we’re encouraged to give our opinions, no matter how poorly informed, full voice.
And we see politics as one big game show – as a tussle between individual contestants.
But what happens is that most of us are working with a totally fanciful picture of how the world actually works. We think it’s all about individuals, and the future will be shaped either by Abbott or Shorten.
But imagine if the Abbott haters got their way, and he got turfed from office. What then? The Liberal/Labor party machine and their backers would just put someone else in his place, and the game would role on.
And the evil aliens behind the moon would laugh at us blowing so much hot air on who’s wearing the Chieftain’s hat.
My advice to you: don’t get sucked into it. Life’s too short to spend time worrying about such a meaningless distraction.
A says
Great article
Peter says
Ahh common sense, a precious commodity.
Dave says
Actually, I don’t give a crap what he looks like, what cigars his friends smoke or who he winks at. But a lot of Aussies are pretty pissed off with the blatant lies. I mean Labor told some lies but Tony and Co really raised it up a level. We didn’t vote Liberal in, We voted Labor out.. and Tony won by default. But these guys really have lost the plot. 20 billion for a research facility and the people who can not afford private health cover can pay for it all… who cares if the poor and middle class can not afford it..right Tony? While we’re at it, lets cut health and education funding and cut a bit of money that low income earners get every year to help pay for their kids uniforms, books, fees etc… and we will give it to the mothers who have not even got a child yet but when they do, they get 6 months off work, fully funded. Keep in mind the lower class will decide to not have kids or even have them later…. because they just can not afford them after the 6 months off… while the lady on a 100k a year thinks it wonderful..what does she care.. she can afford it. All of the heavy lifting in this budget is done by those who can least afford it. Also, while we are it, lets allow Universities to charge whatever the hell they like, that way.. it will attract full fee paying Asian students while the low income earners kids get to come out of Uni..with god knows how much debt for the fees (over 80k I bet). Then I see this video of Cigar Joe.. protesting when he was at Uni.. saying Free Education is a right for all Aussies… Hope you enjoy that free Education you got Cigar Joe. I could go on about Tony and Co.. but he is not worth my time now.. Richo said it best in his Budget address here.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI2iFRFyPPk
m says
This heavy lifting you refer to has been carried by higher income earners for years. Its so frustrating to hear people criticise high income earners – you know these people worked hard to get where they are, they are working incredibly hard now and they’ve made several sacrifices along the way.
It is ridiculous that anyone would think a woman earning 75k would not be impacted by less or no income while on mat leave-everyone has bills.
Before I started a family I spent years financially preparing but we have a welfare system carrying others who don’t prepare.
Ken. says
M, I think you’re full of it. I doubt whether you would know what a hard days work was. Lap it up because the clowns you put in will be one hit wonders.
Dave says
M.. Please give me a break. My heart cries out for you. Do you think.. for one second that the lower income earner would not trade places with you for a second? Lower income earners are on low incomes for numerous reasons. Not all of us were born with the aptitudes and opportunities that some higher income earners have had. Also, I don’t know about you but you must have 100% fool proof birth control. Not all children are planned… or do you mean a couple just has to stop having sex altogether until they get their shit together.. wow.. what perfect world you must live in. Unfortunately.. the world is made up of low and high income earners. That’s the way the world has been from the beginning of the monetary system. The world needs cleaners, factory workers, and retail assistants etc.. otherwise we would all be on high incomes with no welfare to pay out. In a perfect world or your world maybe M.. but not the real world. Yes the rich and high income earners have or do work hard… but let’s not kid ourselves thinking that a family on 120k Plus a year is struggling to pay the bills… Yes, they may not have cash flow… but that is because they CHOSE to BUY stuff like houses etc.. while most low income earners rent. Low income earners do not have choices… and they certainly can not plan when kids come along unexpectantly. I will trade places with a higher income earner anyday.. and will be quite happy to pay more tax… to support my other family members and community as I would know how blessed I am to have such a great job or income.
Burnsie says
Dave,
Have you ever heard of contraception? Or perhaps abortion? We all have choices buddy.
Your comment clearly displays enough aptitude to become wealthy – up to you whether you want to or whether you continue being a victim. In our society everyone has the choice =)
dave says
” In our society everyone has the choice? ” Wow… yeah everyone has a choice.. sure no probs.. Outside forces do not matter in the slightest. Also, we are religious people and choose not to just discard a life, even if they were a mistake. But that is a whole other issue highly debated on both sides and not for discussion here.
Ken. says
Dave, spot on mate, you nailed it. I knew this mob was full of shit and only typical fascists will continue making excuses for these gutless wonders. It has always been money before principals and always will be. That parenting payment was the knockout blow. Even if they could find a decent looking bloke to fill Tony’s shoes, the party will still always stop him from being fair to all Aussies. Remember when Howard promised tax cuts. I laughed then and am still laughing. He gave us $2, of which I remember someone in the news on the day, offering to donate it back.
Jack says
Take George W Bush pitch for the war in Iraq, or was it the war against terrorism….
“
There is evil in the world. Evil men obsessed with ambition and unburdened by conscience must be taken very seriously, and we must stop them before their crimes can multiply
This was actually George Bush talking about George Bush and all his wealthy mates and Wall Street cronies who took us all to the cleaners and still are.
You could say his ”Somebody STOP me ” moment, unfortunately nobody did.
Americans have great Gun laws, I just wish they would start going around and shooting the RIGHT people, he would have been a very good start, where is a Lee Harvey OSWALD when you need him?
Mike Hilton says
Ever since our leaders have been exposed to the public through all types of media, it has given the man on the street a complete false view of leaders. And we have to blame the media for either building up or pulling down each leader depending on which way they see each politician from a personal point of view. Their personality has nothing to do with running the country, but the media relish the opportunities of giving the public the wrong impression. This has a serious influence’s on the average citizen. God knows what would have happened to England if the media had inner details of Sir Winston Churchill’s, private life.
Lets take a look at the present situation regarding our current leaders. All the media is doing is jumping up and down and saying Tony Abbott and Joe Hocking are lying? and going back on breaking promises made before the last federal election and giving them a negative outlook on their personality.
I assume that the opposition party does not have access to all the information regarding our current financial situation. So not knowing what Australia’s financial situation was before the election. Tony and Joe went ahead and planned their proposals as to how to get Australia back in the black not knowing that labour had pushed Australia into its billions of debit, considerably more than what Tony and Joe had any idea.
Once in power and seeing the actual state of our economy, they had no option but to reschedule
their plans. Yes it did mean that they had to withdraw some of their ideas, which meant that several areas of our population were not going to get the the promises made earlier. The media and the opposition could not get on the band wagon quick enough Yelling that us Australians could not trust these cowboys who have lied their way into power.
Unfortunately both Tony and Joe did not come back hard enough and really tell the Australians the way it really is and that yes there will be some hardships over the next few years, but at least we will get back our credit rating back plus saving the country billions of dollars in interest. Also we could not lay off some major developments as we still had to proceed with the expansion with our exploding population.
Our media need a kick in the pants for siding with the opposition and degrading these two experienced financial experts who would gradually get this country back into a credit situation.
gerald says
the charter of budget honesty means that everyone gets access to the same treasury numbers before the election. None of that’s changed (apart from the outlook being revised up a touch.) This “surprise” is just an innuendo they’re letting run. Try find a quote where they actually say it… I think people can justifiably be a bit disappointed in a government that promised ‘no surprises’.
Clive says
“not knowing that labour had pushed Australia into its billions of debit”
Are you serious? I’m only a casual observer of politics and it was pretty clear to me that all Rudd’s borrowing to spend on wasteful projects was going to come back and bite us all hard.
Ken says
A moron is someone who can’t read between the lines of a newspaper or think for him / herself. Some people will believe anything they are told and believe any party they support whether they are right or wrong. This Country was left in a good state, compared with the rest of the world. Google it and be in a neutral state of mind. In other words , stop your narrow minded shit.
Eileen says
Gerald, if this is true about the Charter of Budget Honesty, why do all politicians use this as a reason for not being able to keep promises please? Surely it’s in the incumbent party’s interest to present misleading figures to the opposition. Why don’t those in the know challenge them about the figures when they use it as an excuse?
gerald says
the budget numbers are farmed out to Treasury. They cop a bit of political pressure, but have a professional duty to keep it as accurate as they can.
I’m pretty sure there’s been no revisions to the data. the ‘mess’ we have now is the same mess we had going into the election…
Eileen says
Dave
You said:
The world needs cleaners, factory workers, and retail assistants etc.
I say:
I’m guessing they’re all low income earners? My daughter (who is a retail assistant) has shares in three investment properties. Anyone can do what she did. Set a budget and stick to it, watch out for specials and take a risk in the property market.
btw……….most people who are slack with birth control blame the quality of the contraception!
dave says
Well Eileen, while you are up there on your pedestal… My brothers wife fell pregnant while on the pill. So I suppose you are a doctor now and say it is 100% effective..lol Also, your daughter took the risk and it turned out good..well good on her… but as with all risks.. some do not turn out…so what do you suggest people do when or if they lose a lot of money? Also.. not everyone has the aptitude or fortitude to invest in property… otherwise.. everyone would be doing it.. if it was sooo easy. When you have rent to pay, mouths to feed and other expenses… and you have lost money in the past due to no fault of your own…. because you really did think something was a good investment… It can be very hard to do it again even bordering on irresponsible.. for fear of not even being able to put food on the table.. because you want to take a RISK as you call it. Or do you think property investing or any other investments are 100% effective and fool proof like you say with contraception. Actually, your right.. stuff it.. I am going to take the limited funds I have saved to put into property and if I happen to make a bad investment decision.. then I can just rely on the government to help me pay for food… Oh hang on.. isn’t that what I should NOT be doing according to the high income earners.
Eileen says
Well Dave
I can see the chip on your shoulder from here!
Your brother’s wife may simply be saying that? The pill’s 99.9% effective, (they can’t say 100%) because some morons may forget to take it or throw up and render it ineffective.
If you have worked hard and have your own home, then you can use the equity in that home to buy an investment property. Depending on the area, the mortgage and expenses can be paid by the rental income. There’s never been a better time to do this! I bought TWO properties in the last year and didn’t fork out a dollar for them!
I have only ever met a couple of people who lost money on property. It’s not 99.9% guaranteed but it is very attractive, otherwise people wouldn’t do it.
Most people who whinge about their situation have their beer, smokes, all the latest gadgets, new car and holidays every year. I note you have mouth(s) to feed………..so more than one eh? That’s your choice, many people wait until they’re financially able to feed a family before having them.
Perhaps you took a risk and it didn’t work out. If it was so big a risk that it crippled you for life, maybe you shouldn’t have taken it in the first place?
Your kids won’t stay small forever. When you and your wife feel up to the challenge again assess the damage (beforehand) and ask yourself how you will survive if it goes belly up? If you are going to take that risk, be 100% committed. the odds are now in your favour.
Dave says
Gees Eileen, This is exactly the same snobbery and self righteousness that Cigar Joe has. Life is never 100% planned.. their are too many variables. We actually rent… as all our available funds are going on the kids education and raising them. We never go on holidays.. last time was 5 years ago, don’t smoke or drink and have a $300 TV. I drive a 12 year old car and try to maintain it myself. My wife had brain surgery 2 years ago and was off work for 6 months .. and luckily she is ok.. but can only work part time due to this. I also work part time and have gone for heaps of full time jobs… but I am over 45 and employers just will not hire me…they want young people who bounce off the walls when they wake up. Age discrimination in Australia is alive and well. Eileen, the point is… Tony and cigar Joe.. have lied to the low income earners who voted for them with the promises they made. Then they go and break most of them… lol.. it is a joke. Tony is now laughing all the way to the bank with his pension. People are damn well hurting and while I agree with you that people buy Grog and smokes etc… you can not lump a whole class of people in 1 bag. There are others who just need help… and to kick them in the guts with what Tony and Co has just done is inhumane and morally wrong. They have exaggerated the trouble Australia is in compared to the rest of the world. like I said.. I may not be a highly educated man.. but Richo said it best here.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI2iFRFyPPk watch it. It is not just how I feel… but a lot of Australians feel the same way… and Tony Abbott has just committed political suicide. now we will have to put up with labour again… but after what Tony and Co has done… we have no choice… Maybe we should go with Clive Palmer. No need to respond. I am done trying to get my point across to people who are better off mentally or financially.. as they just do not get the fact.. some people just need help not a kick in the guts.
Burnsie says
Dave, there’s a great book called Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. It really resonated with me and perhaps it could be of use to you. Read it, take the actions seriously and you never know what could happen. Good luck with it all mate.
Ken. says
If bullshit was electricity, that book, and all others like it would be power stations. The rich will always rob the poor to stay rich. The best way in life is to help other people by volunteering to renovate their homes or help to build one, not brag about what they have like typical Fascists.
Burnsie says
If comments were bullshit, then we’d be sitting under a herds worth of crap with your input to this thread. Good luck in life with your narrow mindedness =)
Ken. says
Burnsie, you’ll need the good luck for your shit you try to put on everyone. Narrow mindedness seems to be all in you, but it takes a spoilt brat like you to whinge about everyone else. Sorry, but I can’t make a hypocrite out of myself and wish you good luck. Commenting is fair enough, but keep it to your self as other people are entitled to the same without morons like you having a go at their comments.
Burnsie says
Kettle. Black. Cheers
Ken says
“Kettle Black” You must be the master pot of shit.
Dave says
While I don’t agree all rich people rob the poor.. because I don’t like putting any class of people in one basket (rich or poor) I do think that “Some” of the wealthy and well off.. have this snobbery and self righteousness about them. They say ” Ohh I worked hard for what I have” and ” Ohh I took the risks to be where I am” etc.. and for some reason they justify to themselves to make themselves feel better about their wealth …that the poor are there because they are lazy, or on drugs, or didn’t try hard enough etc..etc.. But this is crap. Some businesses become very rich, while others can go bust.. that is life.
They are mostly liberal voters because heaven forbid Labor stands for the working man and not to help the wealthy or well off create more wealth.
The fact is.. people who are struggling still work very hard but are struggling because life just happens and the cost of living and the system is working against them. My dad purchased his home in 1972 for 3 years of his wages. Now it is 10 years wages and the cost of living is higher. As time goes on.. in 30 years time it will be 20 years wages to buy a house and the cost of living will be even higher again. The rich and well off who already got in earlier on will get richer and the poor will get poorer.. it is just the way it is. There will always be different classes of people. This is the way of the world.. This is how the monetary system works. We can not all be rich. Companies and businesses will always need workers.. full stop.
Look at Justin Bieber … spoilt little brat who graffiti’s walls in Australian Hotels and is a cocky hot headed little so and so when he gets his head on the camera (just my opinion). This guy has hundreds of millions of dollars and drives around in a stainless steel prestige vehicle. WHAT THE??
He probably does not give a shit… because in his mind he works damn hard for it.. and maybe he does.
The problem I have with it… is that I see a starving child on TV.. who does not have enough food and this guy drives around in a custom made stainless steel car.. pleeeease.
But… this is the system that we live in.
Thank god for some of the rich who donate most of their wealth.
I find it sad that the well off… have to justify their wealth to themselves by saying they work hard for what they have and I am sure they do.. but most people work hard.. rich or poor. and yes, some exploit the system.
I had dinner with a group of guys the other day and one of them is extremely well off. I started to talk about how hard it will be for my kids to buy a house and pay whatever the Uni decides to charge for fees.. because Tony and Co want foreign full paying students to come in to the best schools and who gives a shit wether our kids can afford it or not. I stated that pensioners will be $80 a week worse off.. and that it is a real kick in the guts to our most vulnerable.
Anyway.. He started to say how hard he works and has worked and that they just need to do the same and to stop welfare etc..etc.. and how what he has is because he makes good business decisions.. etc… and on and on he went.
There was only 2 thoughts going through my head as he was raving about how hard he has worked and how well he has done for himself.
1. Not once did he mention how he could help those in need and 2. There was a self centeredness to him that made it seem ” well as long as he and he’s family is ok” that’s all he needed to worry about and welfare recipients need to get off their asses…
I thought, If only it was that simple!
And this is the problem.
Greed starts to become a problem when you make more and more money… not for all but for most well off. They start to think, why should I pay more tax to help the poor… they are poor for a reason, tell them to get off their butts.
Yeah .. what a great solution.
If we are bereft of our core values of charity and caring for those less fortunate or challenged… in a free market system…it means that the system is fine… and it means there is something wrong with our morals.
Eileen says
Hey Clive
Every time I look at my Australian made diamond bracelet, (our combined stimulus package) I smile and say ‘Thank you Kevin’ !
Dave says
Eileen, While you admire that bracelet.. have you seen the labor parties facebook page stats on Millions of pensioners will be $80 a week worse off… ?? https://www.facebook.com/LaborConnect but don’t worry.. the pollies have had a pay freeze for a year… they are doing it tough too.
Ken. says
Eileen, does your daughter still live at home and maybe single with no kids.
Eileen says
As a matter of fact Ken, our (single) daughter recently moved into her three bedroom home and is paying one of her three mortgages herself. The other two are line ball negatively/positively geared. I’d say most 24 year olds are still living at home. She doesn’t want children until she’s married and financially secure enough to afford them. Her friends can’t figure out how she’s done it (and some are living rent free at home)!
Dave, I left school at 15 without any qualifications and I learnt what I know along the way. The last time I was interviewed for a bookkeeping job I was 55 years old. I never thought I’d get a job at that age. But as it turned out I was offered two jobs that year!
No one expects you to do well with a sick wife and I’m glad to hear she’s now well. My point is many people play the victim and no one wins. If you have hardships in life, you have to overcome them. Some are insurmountable, others are not. Only you can decide which category yours fall into. I do however wish you well.
As far as the diamond bracelet is concerned, it was the best thing the labour government (that I voted for) spent our money on during their term in office! It is merely a token to remind me why there will be NO pension for me……………. ever!
If you knew what was coming, (if the UK is anything to go by) you would be grateful that there was ANY pensioner benefits in the future in Australia! I don’t think Joe Hockey, (whom I also voted for) went far enough!
I am 62 and halfway through a painting and decorating course, (and loving it)! I believe I could find employment for many years to come. I try to excel at everything I do. People want quality work and are prepared to pay for it. I started my own (taxi) business over 40 years ago, (by going door to door with leaflet drops). I’m amazed how little initiative most people have. I get very angry when people say that Australia’s doing alright, compared to the rest of the world.
If the rest of the world jumped over a cliff…………………….
Ken. says
Eileen, you are one mixed up cookie who will only know what you all ready know. I think you just like the sound of your own voice. At 24 your daughter is above average to be still at home.
Eileen says
Well Ken, I’m sure you’re the authority 24 year olds! All my daughter’s friends are still living at home. In fact I know a number of people with older (divorced) children who have returned home again!
At least we agree on something………….my daughter is above average! lol
Pieter Newtown says
“… and their backers would just put someone else in his place, and the game would ‘role’ on.”
Was that a deliberate pun JG? 😀