“Current experience would suggest that the American people need to take more care when electing its leaders.”
In the intricate recipe that defines democracy, a rich blend of diverse ingredients comes together. At its core, it’s a political system where individuals with shared visions and ideals unite, forging these concepts into a cohesive philosophy. This philosophical framework then lays the groundwork for political parties, each reflecting its supporters’ myriad beliefs and values.
As these ideologies vie for the hearts and minds of the populace, they pull and tug in different directions, all in pursuit of that coveted majority approval. Yet, this system is far from flawless; it boasts a vast spectrum of interpretations that manifest in various forms across the globe. Its malleability is striking – now we even witness the emergence of “democratic dictatorships.” Democracy can often be unpredictable, teetering on the edge of chaos. At its most tumultuous, it spirals into violence and fierce confrontations, revealing the deep complexities and challenges accompanying this ever-evolving political tapestry.
We fall in line with other similar democracies, which we call allies. For our defence, we have always relied on the United States. This is now in doubt.
Australian Democracy, in its finest form, embodies nobility and constructive spirit, offering a framework that generally upholds the welfare of society. It stands as a beacon of progress, far superior to any alternative system, gracefully embracing a spectrum of diametrically opposed ideas. While it may not be flawless, this intricate system has proven resilient and effective in navigating the complexities of our collective existence. Ultimately, it is a vibrant governance that echoes the voices of the people, genuinely signifying a government by the people, for the people.
Common to most Western democracies (without anything better), we have a capitalistic economic system incorporating free trade. Trump’s tariffs are about to put this in danger.
In Australia, the right to vote is the gift that democracy gives. People are free to vote for whichever party (or individual) they support, but overriding this is the fact that people cannot possibly believe in democracy if, at the same time, they think their party is the only one that should ever win.
A clear indication of an Australian democracy in decline is the fact that people are giving up this voting gift, literally saying a pox on both your houses. They should think again.
Our political system is currently in turmoil, mainly due to the vague and ambiguous nature of our solicitations regarding the pressing issues that affect people’s lives. This lack of clarity is not just a trivial matter; it should raise genuine concern among the populace.
Moreover, an enlightened democracy should give the people a sense of purposeful participation. It should forever be open to regular improvement in its methodology and implementation. Its constitutional framework should be exposed to periodical revision, renewal, compromise, and bipartisanship when the common good cries out.
But above all, its function should be that regardless of ideology, the common good should be served first and foremost. A typical good, healthy democracy serves the collective from the ground up rather than a top-down democracy that exists to serve secular interests both domestically and internationally. One enforced by an elite of business leaders, politicians, and media interests who have the power to change the political construct of Australia or their view of what democracy is.
Every facet of society, including the democratic process, needs constant and thoughtful renewal and change. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be so trapped in the longevity of sameness that we would never see better ways of doing things.
That is how I have always viewed it. What now?
Unfortunately, Australia’s particular version of the democratic process has none of these things ingrained in internationalism and is currently sinking into a quagmire of Trumpism. He didn’t know what AUKUS was and was probably unaware of the ANSUS Treaty. We can no longer rely on the US as our defence backstop. We have had our pants pulled down, and the budgie smugglers are in danger of the same fate.
Last Saturday morning, a striking tableau unfolded as Australian diplomats emerged from their slumber, eyes wide and mouths agape at the extraordinary spectacle of the Trump-Zelenskyy brawl playing out in the Oval Office (2v1) and across their screens. The dramatic encounter was nothing short of theatrical. Zelenskyy an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of those who witnessed it. It served as yet another stark reminder – though none were needed – of how Trump has shaken the foundations of the comfortable assumptions underpinning Australia’s security for decades, leaving a sense of uncertainty like a hanging branch of a rotting gum tree.
I am not a political historian or a trained journalist. I write this as a concerned citizen because it seems to me that with this worldwide wave of Trumpism, the Australian democracy I grew up with will no longer exist.
Zelenskyy’s betrayal has become evident in the “Oval Office ambush” set by Trump and his cronies: Either do as you are told by Putin or us, or you will receive nothing from us. Otherwise known Trump’s art of the deal.
The demise of Australian democracy insinuated its way into a monumental shift by the conservatives further to the right. With it, we locked ourselves into America’s version of their greatness. Trump’s politics have resulted in a situation in which neither Labor nor the LNP knows precisely what to do or say next except to support Ukraine, which might make Trump mad. The central question is how Australia can maintain support for Ukraine and do its part to back up Kyiv without risking an unfavourable brawl with Trump and his key lieutenants?
As l write, Trump, who is firmly in Putin’s pocket, has withdrawn all support for Ukraine. It’s the art of the deal again.
Forgetting diplomacy, he is prepared to give an independent democratic country to the likes of a murderous Putin.
“This deal, which is Trump’s economic Partnership’, the American people recoup the tens of billions of dollars and military equipment sent to Ukraine, while also helping Ukraine’s economy grow as this brutal and savage war comes to an end.”
Does he want him to return to the Oval Office, get on his knees, and apologise for not showing enough respect for American exceptionalism?
Europe is now alone, no longer protected by the NATO trans-Atlantic alliance, and Australia is left isolated without guaranteed protection (it never had it, anyway).
They haven’t yet escaped Musk and Trump’s deals, but Australians aren’t, I don’t think, dumb enough to vote for Dutton in such a crisis. The 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin should convince “them of that.”
Friedrich Merz delivered a compelling and astute analysis last week, reflecting on the Oval Office confrontation that had been meticulously arranged by the US He emphasised the alarming degree to which Donald Trump has dismantled established post-war paradigms, shaking the very foundations of international relations that have defined the global landscape for decades. Merz noted how this disruption has effectively cast aside the once-steadfast 80-year alliance, transforming it into a relic of the past. His insights painted a vivid picture of the shifting dynamics in global politics, underlining the profound implications of such a seismic change for future diplomatic interactions.
“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” said Merz, the leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union Party. “I never thought I would have to say something like,” he added, “it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.”
And Australia? What next?
My thought for the day
Death abides
Love hides
Goodness vanishes
Suffering manifests
Truth a causality
Faith is lost
Humanity stumbles
But
Hope survives
And
Only the dead see the end of it.
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re the header, ‘Has America Abandoned Us?’, when did they ever ‘stand by us’. The great illusion, so deeply embedded at certain levels in certain sectors of the Australian community (politicians in particular) was that there was this ‘fixed at the hip’ symbiotic Siamese-twin-like firm relationship.
Nah. It was never thus. As the rotten war criminal Kissinger so sagely reminded, ‘It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal.’ American doesn’t do best-practice relationships, never has, never will… it’s a blood-sucking vampiric society besotted with power, domination, money (and more money), its sense of ‘relationship’ is akin to what’s in it for me, what can I get out of these suckers.
Australia, unfortunately, wedded to sun, surf & sleepwalking, took it as a given that the USA had our best interests at heart. Hah! Poor Australia, gulled by the seersuckered shiny suits from across the Pacific; snappy salesmen with a sharp line in selling vanities and fables.
What can one say? Fer Chrissake, Orstrayla, wake the fuck up and get out from under these smiling assassins before they come for ya.
One is concerned on how our long standing US ally has effectively become a corrupt enemy by allying with Putin’s Russia; classic narcissistic stunt upending everything……
However, after a generation of our elites worshipping all things of the arrogant Anglosphere of the US and UK, maybe it’s finally time to get back on track to allies we have egregiously neglected ie. our own region and the EU?
Matching our 21stC culture including that we are fast becoming more Eurasian, as opposed to old white and skip Australia represented by the LNP, Murdoch, Howard, Abbott et al and their divided loyalties?
Well, one thing is for sure they’ve certainly abandoned a large chunk of sanity.
https://www.newsweek.com/military-remove-enola-gay-photos-dei-rules-2041029
The myth of the US – Australia ‘special bond” does NOT stand up to scrutiny since the an American ship ”Catalpa” lifted runaway convicts form the coast of WA back in the mid 19th century.
Did Australian troops fight with American troops during WWI before Australian General John Monash co-ordinated attack of 23 minutes basically ended WWI?
Certainly the US was late into WWII, milking every possible asset from a desperate England, except for the Bahamas that were needed as a ”open prison” for the known NAZ! sympathiser former King Edward VII and his American divorcee-wife.
Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan were all cases of Australian COALition prim monsters inviting themselves to foreign war in which Australia had no interest, or need to attend, especially at the enormous cost of supplying & paying Australian troops.
Will Trumpery acknowledge this servitude by Australian COALition politicians?? Unlikely!!
The USUKA sub debacle should be scuttled immediately to prevent any further leakages of $500+ MILLION tribute to the US armaments industry ….. that is having difficulty getting organised because there is no capacity to build Australian subs BEFORE they become redundant tomorrow.
Geez I miss AIMN articles …. I must get my puta back in order to easily access AIMN.
Little Kennedy will be in it up to his anti-vaccine eyeballs with this crap.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/07/cdc-study-vaccines-autism
Welcome back, lord, I prefer Einstein as he sums up: “Only two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity… And I’m not sure about the universe.”
NEC is spot on. We were indentured to the septics by menzies but they were not obliged to support us..
I have always challenged your view ” they think their party is the only one that should ever win.” Democracy is the ability to change your mind. Will you tell me anything a lib leader from memzies to dutton has done that should change my mind???
Keep strong and use your brain to give us your old format ‘week that was’