Max Mason of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and others have commented on the apathy of voters toward the upcoming elections.
The fact is we dont have a properly functioning democracy where the people are engaged and relevant.
Candidates meetings I have attended, including one organised by the Chamber of Commerce, have not allowed questions on democracy to be put to the candidates. No questions from the floor. Vetted written questions only.
So this is how it all works...Unknown (or known) candidate with nice toothy grin and unverifiable bland ‘feel good' platitudes gets elected.
That is the last input the voter has for three years. Done and dusted.
Candidate then goes behind closed doors and stiches up deals with unelected co-governance cohorts that have no responsibility to the voters at all.Some candidates don't even go that far; they don't attend very many meetings. They have other interests to pursue. Our money is handy though.
The voters do not have any control over the politicians.
This is why there is apathy.
This is not democracy; this is tyranny by the minority. It does not have to be like this. Those who have an interest in our country`s future could read the book by Amy Brooke called ‘100 days Claiming back New Zealand'or go to website:www.100days.co.nz

G Faulkner, Tauranga.