Putting an end to personal politics

I believe the problem is our 3-year term and the constant threat of an early election: it means there is really only one budget per cycle where real changes can be made, the remaining 67% of the time is electioneering and vote-buying (Can Gillard end the sideshow, October 8). Extend it to a four year fixed term and double our effective governance.

Interesting to note that our First Law Officer is now joining the personal attack debate saying "he seems to have an issue with capable women" I did not think Mrs Abbott was incapable but our First Law Officer seems to think so (Can Gillard end the sideshow, October 8). Mr Abbott seems to deal with his wife and daughters well but to our first law officer they are incapable. This is as bad as Alan Jones.
But where is the press on this?

"The only question now is: do either the incumbent or the alternative have the courage and imagination to lift their sights and be up to that compelling task? (Putting an end to personal politics, October 8)"
Sadly, No. Our democracy is doomed to mediocrity for as long as mediocre candidates are foisted on us, and as long as mediocre media dictate political discourse.

Brett (October 8, 9.26am), I am at first inclined to agree with you that a four year term allows a government to get on with its mandate and the business of governing without one eye on the electoral cycle (Putting an end to personal politics, October 8).
But to be honest, the thought of being stuck with a 'dud' Government for 4 instead of 3 years is scary, particularly when we get a Government, as we have now, that came to power on a lie, changed its leader to someone we did not vote for, and has continued the deception by introducing things that were never part of its mandate.
Nope – 3 years are safer!

Brett and Peter: it is not the term that matters, it is the silly politicians in the arena (Putting an end to personal politics, October 8). We really have no real choice on personalities and policies and that is why we wound up with a hung parliament. What is the solution?
Perhaps a Facebook or Twitter campaign on Policy or a Petition from concerned voters. Why not? They do it all the time in the USA. It forces Politicians to commit and to stick to their commitments. Now we need someone to take the lead. The rest is easy.

Paul Keating was spot on when he observed that nothing is more important to a country than the way it thinks about itself. Sadly since 2007, it seems the country had a lapse of thinking (Putting an end to personal politics, October 8).
The melange of glory hunters wouldn't dream of ending it all with an early election.