Hawke predicts end is near for Democrats.

Hawke predicts end is near for Democrats. :

"The Democrats' founder Don Chipp died yesterday after a long illness and his family has accepted the Prime Minister's offer of a state funeral."

I am glad he is going to have a state funeral because he was very unique, very special and very in touch with people. He was a ground breaker because he knew how to translate the ideas of people into action. He was independant, had integrity and was very experienced in managing people and their wishes. He wasn't frightened to talk about Australia, to establish an Australian perpective and echo the views of so many. He could start a party because he founded it on our truth. If the party has waivered and fallen apart it is because our political arena has a narrow focus, a bizarre agenda and is not representing our needs and wishes . There is no air to breathe and there is no discussion. We are told. Don Chipp liked to discuss things. He was neither right nor wrong. He held a point of view and argued it rationally and with a knowledge of his topic. It wasn't the empty throw away lines nor the character assassination we suffer on a daily basis in the media. It was 3D politics. Maybe his sad passing will remind us what we have accepted in place of people like Don Chipp and it may awaken in us a need to get back to some genuine debate and some real politics. I am sorry he has gone, but I would not want him to suffer any more. I hope we can draw inspiration from him and stop listening to people who want to extinguish political passion.