Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

[Pushka]

What's the definition of middle class? We both work full time, but have never qualified for payments. The Health Care rebate? Ok but everyone received that until this year.

If it sits at $73,000 taxable income per full time person which is one definition of middle class then not many opportunities for welfare handouts there.

 

[Moody]

Big + 1

I much prefer the voters get to decide........having a couple of donkeys (Windsor, Oakshott, etc) making the call does nothing for democracy.

How is it that most Australians have absolutely no idea how democracy works? Private school "born to rule" mentality, or something more sinister???

 

[drron]

I liked this by Joel Fitzgibbon-
Sunrise - Joel Fitzgibbon reads from 'the manual' - YouTube#!

 

[Pukka]

How is it that most Australians have absolutely no idea how democracy works? Private school "born to rule" mentality, or something more sinister???

So if the independents had sided with Abbott and helped him pass all his policies that would have been ok then? Personally I think a strong government is better than 3 self serving independents having the ability to bring down a government.

And what's with this "private school born to rule mentality" obsession you have?

Just because you have right of centre views doesn't mean you were born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth, I for one went to a really coughpy state school.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Perhaps one day the electorate will be intelligent enough to separate policies from personalities. As indicated by most of the posts here, I won't hold my breath.

 

[Pushka]

And maybe some day people will discuss the merits of policies rather than the intelligence or other personal characteristics of the posters. I can dream.

 

[amaroo]

How is it that most Australians have absolutely no idea how democracy works? ?

Democracy = names like Swan, Gillard, Windsor, Oakshott............. will no longer fill our screens and papers anymore

 

[Hvr]

And maybe some day people will discuss the merits of policies rather than the intelligence or other personal characteristics of the posters. I can dream.

And maybe one day Tony Abbott will have some policies to discuss.

 

[Pukka]

And maybe one day Tony Abbott will have some policies to discuss.

Oh I think there's lots of those on the way; you might not like them though.

 

[Hvr]

Oh I think there's lots of those on the way; you might not like them though.

Doesn't matter if I like them. Only if they're fair and implemented.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Doesn't matter if I like them. Only if they're fair and implemented.

They all think their policies are fair, they just define that differently.

Not many policies will be able to be implemented for a while anyway, unless the senate is dissolved, due to its current left-wing bias.

 

[Pukka]

Doesn't matter if I like them. Only if they're fair and implemented.

Well it probably depends on what your definition of fair is, fairer tax system, fairer distribution of wealth, fairer deal for employers etc I'm guessing some of his policies are not going to be universally accepted as fair.

 

[Hvr]

They all think their policies are fair, they just define that differently.

Not many policies will be able to be implemented for a while anyway, unless the senate is dissolved, due to its current left-wing bias.

Amazing, the excuses are already starting for why the Liberals will fail and they haven't even won the unlosable election.

Perhaps Tony Abbott could negotiate and sign an agreement to pass legislation. Oh wait he did that and then reneged on his written agreement. Haven't heard the word 'liar' used in reference to that at all. Still different standards for different parties.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Amazing, the excuses are already starting for why the Liberals will fail and they haven't even won the unlosable election.

Perhaps Tony Abbott could negotiate and sign an agreement to pass legislation. Oh wait he did that and then reneged on his written agreement. Haven't heard the word 'liar' used in reference to that at all. Still different standards for different parties.

You must have misunderstood. These are not excuses, but the reality of our political system.

Also, you might be surprised to learn that they are not Tony Abbott's or Julia Gillard's policies, but rather the policies of their respective political parties.

Julia vs Tony is tired.

Labor vs Liberal policies is interesting.

 

[Pukka]

Amazing, the excuses are already starting for why the Liberals will fail and they haven't even won the unlosable election.

Perhaps Tony Abbott could negotiate and sign an agreement to pass legislation. Oh wait he did that and then reneged on his written agreement. Haven't heard the word 'liar' used in reference to that at all. Still different standards for different parties.

Didn't Gillard renege on the pokie deal with Wilkie? Carbon tax ring any bells?budget surplus etc etc

Anyway what's to say Abbot won't call a double dissolution and hopefully send those looney left wing nut jobs AKA the greens to oblivion.

 

[drron]

Amazing, the excuses are already starting for why the Liberals will fail and they haven't even won the unlosable election.

Perhaps Tony Abbott could negotiate and sign an agreement to pass legislation. Oh wait he did that and then reneged on his written agreement. Haven't heard the word 'liar' used in reference to that at all. Still different standards for different parties.

Hmm.So someone who listens to his backbenchers and public is a liar but those who stubbonly refuse to listen and still try and sell the money grab when it is pulseless are some how above reproach.

 

[medhead]

Hmm.So someone who listens to his backbenchers and public is a liar but those who stubbonly refuse to listen and still try and sell the money grab when it is pulseless are some how above reproach.

Pardon. Are you serious? So Gillard listened to her supporters and changed her mind and she's a liar and a witch and whatever other abuse has been thrown at her. But Abbott breaks his written commitment and he isn't a liar. Yep, massive double standards for the liberals and their supporters. What a joke!

 

[Skyring]

They all think their policies are fair, they just define that differently.

Not many policies will be able to be implemented for a while anyway, unless the senate is dissolved, due to its current left-wing bias.

I think most policies aren't intended to be fair, just attempts at pursuing a political agenda. Political parties are self-serving organisations, after all.

As for a left-wing bias, the way the polls are going, the Coalition may well win enough seats for a majority there as well. Gillard is setting the ALP up for a massive lose.

I have to laugh at the current whining about a republic. That's not going to happen for a long while.

Kevin Rudd sat on his hands when he had a golden opportunity - both leaders republican, all States and Territories on side, all he had to do was talk with Turnbull.

 

[Pushka]

Doesn't matter if I like them. Only if they're fair and implemented.

I think fair doesn't always come up into it and you left off implemented well. Something that's gone AWOL recently. What does fairness mean in the world of governance? Not equal obviously. So how do you define fair?

Gillard listened to the electorate? I must have been asleep. She only listens to those who are pulling her strings.

Of curse Abbott will have policies but as opposition leader, until an election is close, announcing them is all quite pointless. And wrong because you don't know the state of treasury. Well, clearly neither does Swann but that's a different topic.

I see Rudd is being naughty again.

 

[Skyring]

I see Rudd is being naughty again.

Rudd isn't a team player. He is, therefore, the last person we want to lead a team, let alone a nation.

But we can't blame Rudd for Labor's current woes. He was shown the door in 2007 and ever since then Gillard has failed to fix the problem. She doesn't fix many problems, to be fair, but she notably hasn't fixed the Rudd problem, despite repeatedly saying it's fixed. It ain't.

She is an ineffectual leader, and we don't want an ineffectual leader running the nation, either. Judging by reports from Caucus, neither does the ALP.

The bottom line is that if you can't run the party, you can't run the nation. Gillard's had her run. Look at her leading from the back of the pack, puffing and gasping and hoping that everybody in front will trip over and drop out.