Your world is an amazing place

I saw the banner at a political function on TV last week 'Making the best country in the world even better'. I'm sick of politicians telling us that ours is the best country in the world, they do it in America as well and they probably do it in Sweeden too. Logically someone has to be lying too us. But who? Which country is the best in the world?

I don't really care, all countries have good points and bad points. It strikes me as particularly arrogant and cynical for politicians to appeal to our patriotism to get votes, what's even worse it that it works some times.

I'm worried that Australia is turning from a multicultural melting pot that engages with the broad international community, into an isolated and slightly arrogant little island. The world isn't something to be scared of and we have a good record of embracing other cultures and countries.

It would be a disaster if we where to let pride and arrogance cut us off from the world, like America has since 2001. We have a lot to learn from other countries, we can cherry-pick and develop ideas about lifestyle, music, government and just about everything. Its a foolproof way of making Australia a better country.

How can you become more world wise? Travel more, read up on other countries, learn another language or just lay back on the couch and watch foreign correspondent. Improving yourself is all nobel and good, but we want to change the country right? Who's with me!