Tag Archives: politics

Are you scared yet?

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Geoff O'Reilly

Our leaders (of both political hues) seem to be on a mission to make us feel scared. It’s a centuries old political ruse: raise popularity and power by appearing to save the populous from what they are scared of. But … Continue reading →

Posted in politics and leadership | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Where’s Malcolm?

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Geoff O'Reilly

I share with probably a majority of voters the opinion that Malcolm Turnbull would do a better job of leading Australia than any other realistic candidate. I don’t agree with everything Malcolm says or does, but then who would?  Right … Continue reading →

Posted in politics and leadership, why do people do what they do | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Careful what you wish/vote for …

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Geoff O'Reilly

What did you think of the Federal Budget? It has certainly created more talk, and for a much longer time, than is usual.  It has elicited some excellent commentary on the ABC website and in the Sydney Morning Herald from … Continue reading →

Posted in inequality, politics and leadership | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Joe’s jumbled message

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Geoff O'Reilly

I’ve been listening very hard to Joe Hockey recently. Way back, whilst still in opposition, he made that famous “it’s the end of the age of entitlement” speech in London. Lately he’s been strongly on the same theme. He argues … Continue reading →

Posted in tough times | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Politicians under pressure … democracy tested

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Geoff O'Reilly

Five or more years past the global financial crisis we are seeing more big trends that show just what a tipping point 2008 was. In 2008 and 2009 many changes were obvious: falling stock markets; falling prices; wealth destruction; massive … Continue reading →

Posted in politics and leadership, power and democracy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Power and democracy … who rules?

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Geoff O'Reilly

Yesterday, whilst pondering “the entitlement to rule” attitude of those in power, I was reminded of a personal experience just about 13 years ago. For 20 minutes or more I sat next to James A Baker III on a bus. … Continue reading →

Posted in power and democracy | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Legacy of Rudd v Gillard

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Geoff O'Reilly

There seems little doubt that the primary reason Labor lost the last election was voters’ disgust with the tiresome leadership struggle. This ever present theme distracted from any real debate (on either side of politics) about the big issues, about … Continue reading →

Posted in politics and leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Unintended consequences – Greece

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Geoff O'Reilly

The tabloid news cycle tends to be dominated by the latest house fire, car accident, murder, sex scandal, sports result, and so on. It’s all so predictable. Even the serious traditional news media tends to be dominated by:

Posted in inequality, tough times | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The kids get it …

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Geoff O'Reilly

Deforestation accounts for about 20% of global emissions of carbon dioxide. So what do you make of this from the BBC: “Brazil says the rate of deforestation in the Amazon increased by 28% … after years of decline. … The provisional … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Climate policy mandate?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Geoff O'Reilly

One of the eternal frustrations of the way our democracy works is that at elections we get just one vote. We are somehow expected to synthesise down to one choice our opinions and decisions on many complex issues ranging from … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments