Serve the people

Abraham Lincoln spoke of democracy as government for the people, by the people.

Modern democracies have lost sight of that ideal.

They are overwhelmingly dominated by powerful vested interests and economists.

To arrest this decline in true democracy I would suggest a constitutional change which would make it compulsory for politicians, senior public servants and judges to do 12 months community service.

This would serve to assist the disabled, frail, aged, disadvantaged and the poor in general.

These duties would give them a good grounding in what real democracy should be all about, that is: the people.

Letter, 20 Jan 2012 Keith Whitfield, Woy Woy