Bread, circuses and state funerals

Time was when two old diggers couldn't sit down for a beer without John Howard popping up between them for a photo opportunity. But he's found a bigger winner this year with the lumpen-middle class, the "MacMansions and Circuses" brigade. He's throwing around State Funerals like there's no heavenly reward for virtue. As long as you're a sportsman or apolitical entertainer that is.

Anyone have any idea of how many state funerals there have been for women by the way ...

Plaint of 1st Century politician: Now that no one buys our votes, the public has long since cast off its cares; the people that once bestowed commands, consulships, legions and all else, now meddles no more and longs eagerly for just two things -- bread and circuses (Satires of Juvenal, 60-100 AD)