We are getting a terrible lack of leadership under the albo government in Australia. He's already failed! The dumb cunts that voted for him will be sorry in the future.

We aren't in the colonies now! Times have to change!

it would be hard to govern without the consent of the governed. politics lets us arrive at consensus. when the colonies were without, we hd a revolution, remember.

Minorities.

Establishing democracy was a way of ending the wars between clans and tribes. Majority rules! If you don't like it, don't vote for it!

That woman in the picture?....she is perfect...Grrrrrrrrr...Grrrrrrr

Yes - I actually don't see Politics as the real issue here - it is more other people's inability to accept people's differences of opinion. As an example - I have completely different political views to my brother - but we get on fine. WE RESPECT EACH OTHER'S DIFFERENCES. End of story. You will NEVER get rid of Politics. Just learn to be more tolerant of differing points of view.

We don't talk about politics here.

Politics itself is the problem. Take politics out of government and rule to benefit the majority!

Yes we need Politics otherwise anarchy will rein…

Politics are very important in our lives & differences should be discussed & agree to differ

What I hate about our politicians today, in the modern era, is the lack of manners. Slandering in parliament. Politics is such dirty business these days. No other occupation is so full of nasty and verbal abuse..than politics. You certainly need a thick skin! Our political forefathers... would turn in their graves... if they could come back and see the evil mess it's become. Edited 24-Jun-21 18:43pm

Joining or make a local community group in your area or region, where you all work together co-operatively to achieve social goals etc. Like a commune where everyone works together to help each other out with there skills & maybe no money involved. A happier society where no one is left out & you help each other in lots of ways. Just a utopian dream in my opinion. Someone may expand on what I am suggesting.

It will also make life boring with out politics

It is a sensitive subject for a lot of people I agree. We are lucky in our family as we each have our own view and the most important part is that no one belittles others on their view. Honestly, as andrew 1 has said if we could rely on politicians to do what they say they will (my words not his as I am on my tablet which is a nightmare) there would be no problems. The bad side with politicians they say what they think the public needs to get them into power and then it all goes. Honesty does not exist in most of them. I do remember years ago with Menzies etc and they had powerful arguments and people listened to them. Not now they are just sprouting what they feel people want to hear. We do need strong politicians that are not afraid to stand by what they believe and explain it to the public in general. They would get my vote!

Some people seem so smart when they are talking about politics- I don't know what the heck they are talking about often so just nod or frown when I think its appropriate.Edited 24-Jun-21 19:21pm

I can't believe the national party voted back in.. that rotten, and corrupt ..toad, Barnaby Joyce. He's a National disgrace!Edited 24-Jun-21 17:53pm

Political discussion in this day and age does not need to be taboo. I didn't grow up with my parents suppressing any political views. I thinks it's important for kids to be exposed to it, as one day they will be voters too. It's a very important subject and many people are having their say about politics on the internet. On forums, newsites, newspapers. It's part of our life and everyone should be engaged in it. I don't get some people... who say they wish not to discuss politics.! How dam ignorant! Edited 24-Jun-21 18:08pm

My Grand mother used to say no politics no religious discussion in her home … I took her advice

i try not to talk politics it causes to many arguments

I don't like to get into discussions about politics. Best to keep your opinion to yourself.

We seem to have so many people in politics who are not qualified to run a mile let alone a country. They should be voted in on merit, education, knowledge, common sense, logic, etc. Pay should be given in accordance with their performance but these days it is all about what they can get out of it and it is like a TV soap opera. The carry on in the parliament is disgraceful and always has been. I agree there must be debate over certain issues but they descend into childish tit for tat mindless comments. I never argue about my views although I do give them from time to time but my friends and family have the common sense to realise we all have differing views and respect each others. I prefer a democratic system as to the ones in say China etc. At least we can vote the idiots out eventually. I feel they are earning way too much money and have too many perks and then carry on about the Pensioner who has worked for 50 plus years, paid taxes and still does who is asking for a decent amount of money to live on which their taxes were supposed to have paid for over the years. These polies get allowances, wages, petty cash, funding for offices, secretary's, a car, flights, superannuation way and above most peoples, and the list goes on. For me, you get your wage and a certain amount for away expenses not $1000's. You finish your time in parliament and your extra perks stop after 3 months which would be the transitional time in most cases required. So no office, far, flights, secretary, allowances etc. The cost of present and past pollies must be one of a huge national annual debt and when their pay goes up they bring out the standard it is given by a tribunal not us. Yeah right.

Might be slightly off topic but, if the state of politics has lured you into a reactionary foul mood, causing you to cast judgement or hate the world I'd suggest stepping away for a while and working on your own inner peace. Focus on things in your immediate surroundings. You can come back with a clearer mindset. At the end of the day, average people are getting screwed and set against one another. It's all clear as day how corrupt everything is. Life doesn't get easier and we lose our rights while the rich seem to live by another set of rules. It's not good, but you're here experiencing the only chance you get to live. There's no point being constantly unhappy and adding to the negativity. Sorry if this seemed like a pretentious rant.

Lots of things could work just with no Politicians kings used to run countries but today the reality is Public Services run the Countries not Governments. I have that line from Yes Minister brought to mind whenever one asks questions like this and it goes along the lines of "Her Majesty wants the business of Government to continue while there is a change of Government sowe have the Public Service."

We need leaders who encourage unity and not going to keep us in the dark ages like using fossil fuels. I would like to see more female leaders who are willing to make changes to address inequality and violence against women.

I'll step up and run things if i really have to...

Politics suppose to be good, where a tri-angle of democracy, which are (1) parliament (2) Cabinet (3) Court are weaved together for the common good of the people of the country. where we have elections to select the party to administer the business to benefit the country unfortunately elected representatives are playing dirty politics, in which they don't tell the truth, or twisting things to line up their pockets, and to slander other people , including their own families to make themselves look good

THE BEST POLITION IS A DEAD ONE

Politics are in everything, always were and will be, where 2 people have opinions. Dont sweat it, if you dont agree walk away, start your own religion, move to another city or country. Life is too short for petty squables over politics.... Bit of Humour often helps...

We do need politics & politics is supposed to be about what's best for the majority, elections & politicians are about a popularity contest & not a popular vote - which is why I don't trust them. We vote for the person the party thinks will win not necessarily the best leader. 'Political donations' (basically legal bribery) need to be outlawed. Calling out & jeering in parliament needs to be banned. You don't have to agree with what everyone says - that should lead to intelligent debate not being put down. Example, Ex-PM Julia Gillard seems to be strong, independent & intelligent person & not a puppet, so she was attacked for who she wasn't married to & what she was wearing - not her politics. Not everyone who reads this will agree with everything I wrote, hopefully leading to an intelligent chat & not that I spilled coffee on my t-shirt.

Too much political correction now, we are forced to accept things that we don't think are morally right so that we don't upset someone that thinks they have more rights than we do. If people want to do some things that we don't find acceptable why should we have it forced down our throats why can't they just do their own thing and make it look like we are in the wrong for it. There are two sides to every coin.

No comment on this subject.

politics is two ideas; keep mine(consevative) or share with everyone(socialism) It's what people do

growing up when we had get togethers at home there were only 2 taboo subjects you did not mention, politics and religion.my dad was always a labour man but he never pushed his views on us he told us to make up our own minds.

When we came to Australia in 1957 it was so obviously noticeable that Politics and Religion was not part of everyday discussion. The weather seemed to be star topic, it always "nice" and the baby was always "beautiful". Could be that things were more peaceful and stable then, everybody had jobs and people were kinder to each other so the functions of government were not part of the daily vocab. I don't think there's any "getting rid of politics" as people will always have a point of view and will always politicise and it has to be call something.

True Drusilla, I do however wish we could have trust in our politicians now days:( They are supposed to be there for the people, but the truth is, most are in it for themselves. Sad.

This is not a dictatorship politics is so essential

Anarchy …..the most violent would rule and you would be much worse off. Politics is great, better if people didn’t just accept them but got up and kept politicians on the straight and narrow..lol

Politics are essential and should be discussed amongst families but they must do it with a bot of intelligence, agree to differ but that should not split a family. It is when Religion raises it's evil head and is combined with politicis that all the problems arise. Once we thought that we could Trust our politicians and they ran the country for the benefit of the entire population. Sadly, today it is all about Self Interest, Greed. Our politicians only think of themselves, what lies and distortions they can spread simply in order to hold on to Power. Just look artound you! People on incomes of $180, 200, 300 Thousand and more think they have a Right to have their Child Care expenses paid for by others - including those on incomes well below $60,000! Why? Let them pay their own expenses, They choose to have children, no-one forces them to do so and if that means one of the parents has to stay at home or, better still, they each devote Half of their time to their children then so be it. Once couples setting out were content to have a nice, if somewhat boring, 2/3 bedroom house with one bathroom - nothing fancy and they built up from there. Today they want their massive McMansion: 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 4 car garage, a pool, tennis court, lounge, family room, study and another area for entertaining - you name it, they demand it and think they have a Right to it! It is all about Greed and our Politicians - from the very top down to the lowest, newest back-bencher think they are entitled to Free Travel wherever and whenever - be it to work or on holiday. They think they are entitled to a taxpayer-funded Motor Vehicle of their choice which they can use as and when they want and that includes taking that vehicle on their holidays, having the Taxpeyers pay for the fuel they use and having that vehicle Serviced. Our politicians have awarded themselves, thanks to what they call The Independent Remuneration Tribunal - it is not independent at all for it is appointed by the politicians themselves and all and any increase in wages and benefits it awards automatically flows through to themselves, senior public servants, the judiciary etc. The entire system has become Corrupt. Just as it is in regimes such as in China's, the old USSR and modern day Russia and the USA - every regime has become corrupt.

Where would we be without politics and religion

I remember years ago asking my father who he voted for and he said to me then " you never tell anyone who you vote for it is a decision you make for yourself". My husband asks me who I vote for and I tell him that I have never told my kids who to vote for and I never will.

Human politics is, indeed, interesting. And it can be divisive. Some of this has to do with how we are actually operating politically, and we can do something about this if we want to. Politics exists for any animal that operates socially, such as in a herd, a flock, a swarm, a clan, a tribe or a village (to name a few collections). Maybe humans could learn something from the politics of other animals. Take bees, for example. They reach a consensus on a big decision, such as moving hives, through communicating - much of which is done by dance. Now wouldn't that be interesting to see that in our Parliament! On a more serious note, however, the politics of bees has more of a focus on what is good for the group, rather than on whether or not a particular action "fits in" with being right or left, conservative or liberal. One of the things I find interesting about human politics is how so many people end up basically going along with policies promoted by big business that really only benefits big business, to the detriment of almost all the rest of us. (And we're supposed to be an intelligent animal????)

You can't get rid of politics since there are all kinds of politics, government politics, family politics, work politics and so on. And if families don't want to talk about it then they can't agree to disagree. I don't always see eye to eye with my loved ones, but that doesn't mean I'm going to cut them over that. I would cut them over other things like not treating me right and being jerky.

Best of all parties is nice, and it happened in Commonwealth countries during WWII. Governments were run on coalitions of the best pollies from all parties. What really needs to happen is reduction of the numbers of political decision making levels. .Local body politics could be done away with. We don't need tin-pot mayors in every city., together with their taggers-on.

This depends on which country you live in. I live in a very democratic country where everyone's vote is equal and we only get one vote per person. Politics is very much in our everyday lives, even if you think it isn't. If you want it to change get involved, you can't change things from the outside. The problem now is that politicians have allowed the minority to rule them thus we have a complete breakdown with governments. We need to get back to where the majority rules, and that people accept that. All this protesting because your side didn't get into government is the thing that divides countries. You should accept the government that the majority voted for. If you don't like the party that gets into government, don't protest join the party and spread the word if it's what you believe. The world can't work without governments.

Once again,it's all relative.

If you cannot beat them, join them.

Politicians and diapers need to be changed often....both for the same reason.

They are a necessary evil. It will never happen but if they could all work together to improve conditions instead of scoring points over each other we would all be better off

I suppose we would return to the wild west days.

MERITOCRACY (to all four questions) - never going to happen. Racism and sexism is too ingrained into everyone (including me)?!

Very rarely do I discuss politics, everyone has their own opinions to which they are entitled to. I keep mine to myself and vote accordingly when required.

I don't talk about politics with my friends and family is because they were disagree with me about politics. I just keep my thoughts and opinions about politics to myself.

I don't mind debates about politics once in a while but I don't want a falling out with anyone over it.

Politics affects the majority of people in the world. It is good to know that people know about politics, know about what is going on in the world.

Some of my friends are of different views to me, I don't raise politics, but if they talk, I listen politely then change the topic.

If the general public had more say in politics in the first place we would have a much fairer political system. People mostly Vote for---- the candidates running for parliament based on their own interests. No one gets a say on who gets elected the leader of a particular party. No one gets a say on what policies... those in the party, that's in office, brings-- about. Those in power make the all the decisions. Australia does not even-- have a bill of rights. Our democracy isn't as fair as many people would think. The parties that are the best are those many don't even know about.Edited 24-Jun-21 03:12am

The first important step in politics is that if any politician is asked a direct, honest and sensible question he or she MUST give an honest considered and direct answer...failure on TV means the end of the interview...in the house of government, they are forced to leave and can only come back when they agree to tell the truth....We have allowed a whole culture of liars and cheats..who assume we will tolerate it...don't stand there and just lie to us...what arrogance....

I never discuss politics with friends or family. We can have politics, just keep your thoughts to yourself. No problems.