I find the whole process of donations undermining of democracy.  Why do we have an electoral system if those in business can gain influence and support through the monetary signal of donations to parties.  The higher the donation the higher the access.  Ordinary people (who are not ordinary at all) have no access other than the right to write to their emails, send in letters, maybe ring and then they get a letter that is standard in return.  There are no free lunches or specific attention given to their voices.  I ask – is it truly one vote one value or are those prominent in the business community having a louder voice?  What is democracy? Does it actually exist or is it a clever way of appearing to give choice but in truth going ahead with their own policies and visions.  They appear to address the community publicly but behind closed doors what is really going on.

My last blog is on Leightons Contractors and their corruption.  They are still in business.  If an individual was corrupt they would be hauled up before court and they would face consequences.  I would like to know why business has special consideration or is treated in a way that is different.  I noticed some of the language in the last post which is much softer when it is unethical.  This is because of the status of business and its relationship to government and the perceived good of making profit and the perception of benefit to the community in terms of jobs and injection of profits.  It would be interesting to do an indepth analysis of the flows of money and what they actually do. Who benefits? I would love to see a values based analysis along side deciphering what corruption, low ethics, boys clubs, kick backs, exclusion, secrecy actually does to trading confidence, a sense of fairness (equal opportunity), level playing field, equality and social benefit etc. This type of narrative is not even mentioned as we do not look beyond the money into the real wealth of nations, its people.  Wealth is not inherent in money it resides in ‘who we are’ and the values we express.  What creates security and safety in the world is: positivity, societal ethics, personal values, empathy, integrity, courage, truthfulness, compassion, principled leadership and inspiration etc. What opens doors to creativity and innovation is openness, equality and a sense of a fair go for all.  This appears lost in the flood of donations that only seek influence (politics) not democracy (shared representation).  In truth they silently undermine democracy as one voice has more value than another.  This runs counter to the equality that is the reality in all societies worldwide.  Some have advantages in terms of education, influence, income and can cleverly position themselves as of benefit to government by using terms like – increasing employment, investors, industry and trade.  They join groups, councils, international forums, think tanks, boards and so on to be seen to be leaders.  I have had contact with one so called leader who was involved in a ethics based institution when his own ethics were highly questionable.  I worked for a very wealthy man and heard him speaking with the opposition leader (now Prime Minister) as a friend. I have sat with business people making up prices and doubling it with no honesty, just what the market will bare.  I have worked in organisations that have shelf companies on their books.  Others transferring profits from one place to another.  I’ve heard a manager call the management ‘the gods’ and the workers ‘the plebes’.  That said it all to me.  So the kingmakers sit behind the thrones of power seeking to influence the courts of kings purely for their own benefit.  Such is the selfish nature of humans without any real awareness of the good they can do when they share their wealth, spread influence to enable others to shine in their talent and ability, work on the worlds most pressing problems, give their time for free, mentor those who don’t have anything and deeply think about the impact business has made on the planet and where we are heading as a result of unfetted greed.  To examine greed and why we want more, why not enough?  What is the deficit in the character of those who are never satisfied.  Have they ever truly stopped and assessed their own lives and the real contribution to humanity.  Can they lie on their death beds and feel happy as they transition into the next life.  Yes we live on.   Every action you do is actually visible on a spiritual level, every word you speak and what you do is seen.  I call it the spiritual glass house. It is a real phenomenon, nothing goes unnoticed.  From that perspective how do you think you will be seen?  What ripples did you send out? Who did you helpl unselfishly?  What did you truly achieve?

If I had a voice (and I do whether it is heard or not) what I would suggest is to ban all political donations given one vote one value.  I regard this as equal value and equality. I would encourage regular community forums to educate, inform and encourage debate amongst people.  I would also teach conflict resolution so they know how to raise their voices without argument but in relation to respecting all voices.  It is to learn from each other, to hear perspectives unheard and to expand the vision, this is the power of dialogue and community.  I would develop electronic voting so that single issues can be voted on regularly by people either at home online or libraries or by post for those not computer literate.  Policy should be formulated on the basis of bonifide research to determine what is happening for people, what are their needs and wants, what will improve wellbeing and how to continuously improve to keep costs down, improve social cohesion, opportunities and happiness. This could be in the form of quantitative (survey research) and qualitative (focus groups, forums)  I don’t see any initiatives like this. Perhaps symbolic shows of forums but they are not seriously seeking to serve the Australian people, they are serving their own interests.  That is why it is called politics.  They are not public servants or democrats (all of them) as to be called a real democrat would be the awareness that they serve ‘democracy’ above all.  This is representation of the people by the people. Unfortunately the competitive design in politics has simply created forums of abuse of the other, they seek to undermine the credibility and flush up mud to smear.  This is a form of bullying. I’ve sat in Parliament and watched the grandstanding. Those doing it think they are entertaining. Those watching can see the folly of their performance.  They do not ask real questions, or seek to understand.  They stand up there enjoying their own voice and towing a party line.  The back benchers simply ask questions the Ministers want to answer.  The Ministers speak in loud voices grand standing as that is what others did before them. They believe it is leadership. Not one is an individual speaking from the heart and soul and truly understanding their role as representatives in a democracy.  They do not understand the nature of the power bestowed on them. The people are cynical about those in power, across the world they are waking up to realise they are not represented or their officials are corrupt given kick backs.  Money talks.  People want those who walk the talk. This will manifest when people demand it.  

The listing reflects those seeking more than one vote one value. This is 2012/13 it would be interesting to do a time series analysis over 10 years to see who is donating.  Moreover, it would be interesting to know who donated and is not on the list, perhaps the donation was a project, investment or event in an electorate that could not be seen as influencing but sends a signal to the representative. Such is the creative way influence can be enhanced.