Will wrote: ↑Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:44 pm
I’m not following your argument. By your definition, everyone who earns a 6 figure salary is not a commoner. Likewise anyone who attended a private school is also not a commoner. We live in an aspirational society, whereby a significant portion of society would be deemed inappropriate to sit in parliament according to your definitions. Earning $100k in modern Australia doesn’t make you rich.
Our politicians aren't earning 100k, they're earning a lot more then that. And I never said 100k makes you rich.
I also never said that earning a certain amount should preclude someone from running for public office. I am saying those in public office should not be paid 6 figure salaries nor should their staff.
The very fact that you try to defend what goes on, because we are an aspirational society, is a good clue into your overall views/mentality.
You're basically confirming what I'm saying and/or alluding to, in that you think that because we are an aspirational society that it is acceptable for people (99% already well off or wealthy) to aspire to enter politics to enrich them selves further.
You also said that its the 6 figure salary that attracts the most talented. I disagree.
They lack the talent to run the state. If they had the talent required, South Australia wouldn't have the highest unemployment rate, it wouldn't be loosing people in the so called "brain drain" again.
Malinauskas is not some entitled rich kid from old money. He is the product of European refugees from world war 2. What is wrong with people working hard and sending their children to a private school? What is your exact problem with this? I went to a private school you would probably class as ‘elite’, but I can guarantee you most of the guys I went to school with, were there because their parents sacrificed a lot to send them there. My parents sacrificed their weekends, holidays, new cars to send me there. We were definitely not rich. Are you projecting your own resentment and envy here?
Again, I never said he is from old money.
I'm well aware of who his parents were.
Did I say there's anything wrong with working hard and sending your kids to a private school?
Why would I be envious or have resentment? I went to private schools as well.
Furthermore, I would rather someone like this leads us than someone who quit school in year 10, wasted their youth with the wrong crowd and now stacks shelves at Woolies in the 40s.
Ah, so the bloke stacking shelves at woolies is no good, because he's in his 40s and working in a super market. But the bloke who went to a snobby school, whose wife is partners in a snobby law firm, is the better choice. So, what are you projecting here now Will? Your new found elitism?
What if the bloke in his 40's at Woolies has more integrity, a back bone, and can relate to the average South Australian? You know, because he is an average South Australian...
Are you suggesting we should only elect people on welfare or undertaking unskilled manual work to top office, just because they are a battler and know how tough it is? I’m sure they know how tough it is, but because they continue to struggle, I can’t see how they would govern well, other than instituting populist yet ultimately damaging policies.
That's not what I said at all, again.
My argument is, and has been for a long time, that our politicians and their staff are over paid. They have too many staffers, too many perks.
You think that someone who dropped out of high school, isn't worthy of being elected to parliament. You think that someone who works in a supermarket isn't worthy.
Only private school educated people should be elected right?
That person who dropped out of high school, could have dropped out because his single mother was the sole income earner and fell ill. Maybe he dropped out of high school in year 10 so he can get a job to provide for his family? Maybe the 40 year old bloke you saw stacking the shelves at Woolies was working there since he dropped out of school and is now a manager who was willing to do that because the store was short staffed that day? Maybe he's even stacking shelves at Woolies as a second job to make ends meet?
But that wouldn't stop you passing judgement on what you saw at first glance.
You wouldn't vote for the bloke because he didn't get a private school education. Extremely snobbish and elitist mentality there Will, I did not expect that from you.
I'd have more faith in the person whose struggled, who understands the difficulties in life, whose had to make sacrifices, over the person whose been sent to private schools his whole life (because his parents sacrificed, not him), whose married into new money, and has not lived a life filled with struggles. I mean, what's their biggest struggle, what designer dress shoes match the rest of their outfit?
They are there to serve the people, in public office, not enrich them selves.
How are they able to serve the people when they've clearly lost touch with the average person, their constituents?
You know who was a great politician? Mick Atkinson. He went out of his way to stay connected with his community and constituents. He often fought for them.
What's Malinauskas done for his community and constituents since he took over the seat of Croydon from Mick? Nothing. We don't hear so much as a peep from him, unless it's election time. Then your letterbox is filled with his junk mail.
If Peter wants to be a great leader, I suggest he get in contact with Mick, learn how to be in touch with your community, how to represent them and advocate for their rights and issues like Mick did very often.
Mick used to show up to a lot of community events, in a very low key manner. He was always there, always available for the people. It wasn't just at election times, like most politicians, he was always there, always around, always had time for the constituents he represented. For years and years. The bloke was genuine.