I have a vision for Darwin, a vision that amplifies our inherent natural sporting abilities, our local culture and tourism opportunities, a massive expansion of infra-structure into the Northern Territory as the food bowl of Australia and Asia, a goal to see a commonwealth games held in the Northern Territory in my life time and the re-creation of a public finance structure to provide capital and equity for such needs in the future.
My Local Council vision is to be part of the creation of a Recreation Centre in my Ward of Richardson, to upgrade the walk ways and pathways and create sheltered areas, to create or modernize a council facility for the purpose of a public shelter, to create public programs and activities that reduce crime and increase opportunity and employment in the area. To help create public events and attractions that create revenue and provide the public with a venue to test and market new idea’s, whether that be a sheltered Farmers Market or a Car boot sale to provide upgrades and modernization projects through-out my community.
My main goal is to create a safe and secure environment for people to become progressive again. Having been an avid reader of history for most of my life, I have been constantly dismayed at the revitalization of the neo-liberal era (late 18th to early 19th Century Beliefs) of Privatization, fiscal austerity and deregulation and free trade that lead to the high unemployment, massive monopolies and duopolies, high levels of both corporate, financial corruption and massive corruption in government/s.
I seek a return to a progressive era (historically in Australia from 1851 to 1949) fueled by the desire to reduce the problems caused by the greed and corruption of the few and re-invigorate the power of democracy through the voice of the people. The advent of the Internet has allowed the resurgence of the popular and pretty versus the professional and productive in such a way that the most powerful country in the world is run by an actor from a reality TV show and failed business man.
In Australia we have seen the public weather the financial storm of the global credit redistribution, whereby foreign governments socialized the losses of the corporations ”Too Big to Fail” and deregulated and introduced more “free market” rhetoric and policies in such a way as to allow the same actors to regurgitate the same criminal activities. To diminish our countries sovereign legal rights to punish those multi-national and international corporations that breach our environmental, financial and pharmaceutical/health regulations and laws. The TPP (Trans-pacific Partnership) is a matter of documented and tabled fact such a breach on our sovereignty, that and the current government’s anti-social agenda to give tax breaks to the wealthy.
I do not blame a company or large business for seeking greater tax advantages, they have under current legal corporation requirements, a fiduciary duty to ensure that their share holders attain the greatest return and that they use any and all taxation loop holes they can use or lobby for.
I do not blame the average Aussie battler who is too busy trying to earn a living in this country, rather than march in movements and protests like their grand fathers did. But just as Twitter and facebook were an integral part of a massive social revolution in many parts of the middle-east and also an integral part of the Brexit vote. So will this technology and the message be it, the true or false narrative espoused by each side, an integral part of the resurgence of the populism of the people for progressive change in the future.
I do not blame the voter for the failure of our political parties to provide leaders or visionaries to motivate the hopes and dreams of the people. I blame the natural tendency for those who seek significance to make more noise than those who seek connection.
I have one very strong BS ( Belief system ) and that is that the power belongs and is that of the people. The people are many and strong. I am not a right wing, left wing or conservative, I believe in the natural progressive nature of people that at some stage of their lives seeks to contribute and to grow.
I also acknowledge that we also have a basic human need for significance and that need is bred into us for survival as a child. That and the need for love/connection has led to some of the greatest wars, battles and arguments in history. But many of us grow up and parenting and partnership create different opportunities.
The last Progressive Era took 79 years of hard work, education and idealism in order to make massive changes in a 20-30 year period. Due to the invention of the Internet, my BS ( Belief system ) is that the next progressive populist era will come faster, last longer and will most certainly be less bloody than those that came from the brutality of the Eureka Stockade.
I have stated previously that I believe we do not have rights we have privileges. This is because legal rights are only rights until repealed or removed.
Already the governments both federal and state and our own NT Government have taken away Search and seizure rights if they suspect a person has drugs or Ice on their person or property. Although this happened due to the fear presented by our local Law enforcement it is a removal of a right and goes against the principal of innocent until proven guilty. The loss of a legal right is dangerous as it leads to distrust of authority and the corruption of the legal system. But the loss of a right can always be reversed after the issue or fear is removed or reduced.
The previous US President Barack Obama suspended “Habeas Corpus” legal rights of the US citizen placed under arrest to be required to be brought before the court or judge unless lawful grounds are given for their detention. This has lead to mass incarceration and a greater racial tension between the blacks and white, that has led to thousands of deaths. This loss of a legal right has had devastating effects on the country both from within and from international observers.
It is not so hard to believe that our government could be corrupted to introduce similar practices if it felt compelled by the fear of a few weak and powerful men. But as I will state again my idealistic view is that the natural progressive nature of people is to at some stage of their lives seek to contribute and to grow. This “NEED” for growth and contribution is what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. It is what leads us to seek enlightenment and to nurture our children far beyond their most vulnerable years.
The need for growth and contribution is what makes me want to amplify the voice of my community and to create a progressive culture that will create a better Darwin.
Note :
Written and Authorized by Sam Wilks. The views included may not be those of others mentioned in the article but are those of Sam Wilks. If you have other idea’s feel free to comment below. Idea’s and differing opinion is recognition of a free and just democratic society. A Society I am happy to live in. Please however try not to be abusive or discriminative, you may be. But if I feel that your opinion may be harmful or is reported as being harmful, I will delete it.
Sam Wilks
0402 152 929
PO Box 40441
Casuarina NT 0810
sam4richardson@gmail.com