Lushington D. Brady: Coronation vs Welcome to Country

Is there a better argument for a monarchy than Republicans?

Back in 1999, I voted “Yes” in the Australian Republican referendum. In hindsight, I’m glad I was wrong and so many more of my fellow citizens were wiser than I was, back then. In the years since, I’ve come to realise the peculiar wisdom of Australia’s (and Canada’s, and New Zealand’s) constitutional monarchy. Where, as Mark Steyn said, ultimate power is vested in someone not only without real power, but physically absent most of the time.

Ron Smith: Some thoughts on democracy

One of the riveting features of the US Presidential election just finished, is the billions of dollars spent in advertising on behalf of the contending parties.  The little girl who was filmed in floods of tears, spoke for many in expressing the sentiment that it was all too much (though she might not have been thinking purely of the cost).  On the other hand, it seems clear that it was effective, in the ‘swing states’ and particularly in the early stages, when attitudes were being formed.  It looks as if this, together with superior long-term organisation, was key to the Democratic victory. 

Of course, there is nothing wrong with planning ahead and deploying appropriate forces for the task in hand, and an incumbent president can do this in a way that a candidate who emerges from the protracted primary process, cannot.  But there is something wrong with the vast amounts being spent on television material and the careless negativity of its content.