Politicians by their role, not their nature, prove that no one person may be all things to all people - the result is policy by compromise/committee. The peoples representatives end up standing for nothing and falling for everything The effect is paralysis.
Add 3 year terms for good measure, and it is solid proof that things get done in spite of them - not because of them.
I still think Howard rode the coat tails of Keating - but I do have the influence of being around economists and market analysts more often than than right wing idealogues.
Thankfully.