Clive Bibby: Politicians and Your Money

As the general election draws nearer, politicians of all persuasions are hitting the streets in an effort to bribe us with our own money.

For the rest of the year, we might as well not exist.

I accept that this appearance on street corners is part of the ritual we must endure in order to get a handle on who is promising value for money but it would be so much easier and a less debilitating process if they all actually did what they promised when in charge of the Treasury Benches.

The problem for them appears to be that it is almost impossible to get elected without over promising which inevitably leads to underdelivering.

And I suppose this charade is the reason why the percentage of registered voters taking part in Local Body or General elections is woefully low in most countries where it is not compulsory.

Why would you bother!

Yet in a democracy, the hope that accompanies the “ right to vote” and by so doing, play a part in who decides how our hard earned money is spent, is still an attraction for those of us who believe that one day we will be rewarded for our humble existence and dutiful wait for a benefit that will somehow save us from the poor house.

Unfortunately, the modern experience in this country is that the trend is moving further and further towards satisfying the needs of groups of beneficiaries who have either exaggerated opinions of their own self worth or are in a position to use racial heritage as a ticket to the good life. Excessive expenditure on these “bottomless pits” is one of the main reasons why our budgets are almost always overspent in areas that add little to the lives of the majority who need it most.

It has become a rort.

It wouldn’t be so bad if the politicians from all parties treated us all the same when allocating funds to only needy causes that benefitted the majority of the populace evenly - hospitals, schools, roads, energy plants, telecommunications and sporting arenas to name a few of the main ones.

Obviously there are others that are worthy in themselves even if they only satisfy the needs of special interest groups - those who advocate on behalf of people with disabilities etc or those who have fallen through the cracks through no fault of their own.

But although most of us regard the allocation of adequate funds to maintain the above societal entities as the number one responsibility of all governments - even though there never appears to be enough - we could be forgiven if we react at the ballot box if we see public funds flowing to these racial and self interest groups simply because of who they are rather than the justice of their cause.

Unfortunately the rort continues and l doubt this coming election, no matter who wins, will see any significant change to this flagrant misuse of public funds.

My hope is that sometime in the near future, a government will be elected unafraid to take on these radical extremists, including many who have infiltrated the Public Sector at the highest level and tell them their services are no longer required - better still, provide them with a “one way” ticket to a country that could better use their clandestine skills!

Nothing would give me greater satisfaction even though, at 81 years of age, I am running out of time waiting for it to happen.

Maybe we should all just make a determined effort to ensure it does at least begin to happen next time round. It’s either that or hand over the keys to this democracy without firing a shot because that is where we are heading.

I kid you not!

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.