A government is like a company that we all have shares in. But rather than a financial dividend, we want our payment to be made in the form of a better life. One where concepts like equality, fraternity, honour and goodwill are an integral part of our daily existence.

You often here talk from the conservative side of politics that government should be run more like a business. But too often the payoff is made to "big business" and other supporters of whichever party is in power.

Maybe we should start voting for people who think differently.

Surely there is a way that people can self-insure. Get an actuary on-side and work out what people need to pay into an account of their own to cover themselves.

I originally heard an idea from Wayne Goss, the former Premier of Queensland, who had self-insured himself and his family for health insurance. Mr Goss ended up having to have major brain surgery and he still had money left over in the account after the operations were completed. It tells you something about the profit levels enjoyed by the major health insurers. And don't even get me started on my thoughts regarding their advertising schedule during the 1996 Federal Election!

The hardest part of self-insurance is the initial period. My aged Renault 20 cost me $2,400. The insurance company have it valued at $4900 and the payments each month are over $120 a month - in 20 months I've bought the car again! But what happens if something goes wrong before those twenty months are up?

Anyone got an idea?

Can a fund be set up for disputed or "fallow" building sites to be turned into temporary parkland? This would alleviate pressure on the owners to enter into unsatisfactory contracts for building and would remove an unsightly eyesore.

Of course, it would take more than just a few rolls of turf. But if you could put together a fund that could cover the interest payments owed by the land-owner then whilst they try and figure out what they're going to do with it, people could have somewheregreen to look at and enjoy rather than a dustbowl.

How good would this be in your CBD?