canineclub

The above title from the Barry Jones’ old classic has frequently been called to mind in recent times. His argument was primarily that given our new technological, postmodern age, we are all in the thrall of ‘experts’ – those individuals who are the gatekeepers to vital information, who are charged with the responsibility of collating, analysing, and devising policy recommendations based on this information. In other words, bureaucrats! Let’s face it, no politician or councillor has the time to read every relevant document on every issue. They rely on these paid underlings to provide them with the ‘nuts and bolts’ of issues, to make recommendations and to clearly enunciate all benefits and potential drawbacks.
In theory, this works fine. But in reality, it literally means ‘rule by nobody’ – they are not accountable to the public, nor are they accountable to anyone except others of their ilk! In theory we expect these gatekeepers to be honest, to provide information that is reliable, trustworthy, and beyond doubt. But do they? In our wonderful kingdom of Glen Eira, time and time again clowncil officers produce reports that are tainted, distorted, and as far removed from actuality as they can possibly make it (i.e. ‘consultation paper’; domestic animal management policy, etc. etc. etc.). None of these ‘reports’ are balanced or fair. The end result is that unless councillors are prepared to do the hard yakka and read everything pertaining to an issue themselves, they often have no idea as to the real ‘facts’ of a case.
Demanding honesty from our politicians and councillors is one thing. The most important is to demand honesty from the bureaucrats. It is really time for us ‘sleepers’ to awake!!!