Part One

Partly agree with you, Andrew,

But it could be believed that the way Labor is at present you could be putting them on the wrong track

In a political science school during the Cold War when a few over 60s mature agers where allowed to participate, a couple of us after posing very interesting questions during a class, where given as examples to the class, as oldies who had acquired good natural insight over their longevity.

Now in that school as well as studying international relations we also learnt a skill called the Ruler’s Imperative, which was mainly about what a ruler needed to do to stay in power. But we also discussed how to knock out a ruler during an election, despite his imperative.

A striking example of what not to do, happened to John Kerry in the last US election when he promised to send even more troops to Iraq in order to get the problem over with, as he said. Any political science student would have guided him to do the opposite, especially as the justification for the attack on Iraq was paramount as regards that election. Though there were only around 40% apparently against the Iraq War, in a non-compulsery election, there could have been many millions who had been wavering and who did not vote. Though George W’ had faithful backing from his religous right and assuredly from millions of Mid-West grain-framers who had been promised billions in subsidies over the next ten years, it is believed that Kerry still lost the race with that foolish statement about sending more troops to the war zone.

George C, WA - Bushbred

Part Two

The imperative here, of course, Andrew, is that it is better during an election to be dead opposite to your opponent, as Barry Jones has mentioned just lately, even if there is much fear attached to it, especially with Labour the way it is. It is interesting that many of the Democrat’s policies are in line with what Labour should be using, but even much worse than the British Liberal Democrats, our Aussie Democrats appear to lack personality as well as the political skills, thus it could be said, it is why they lack the numbers.

As a free-thinker, who believes that party loyalty can steal one’s brain, it is suggested that Labor Ministers might do well to attend a political science school occasionally. Another recommendation is to contribute to an academic magazine called Dissent, most of the writers being professors and Phds who seem far more enlightening to one’s soul than today’s politicans as well as most religous leaders.

Regards,

George C, WA - Bushbred

It makes me mad when all I hear is rebuttal spewing from the opposition.

I want to know why I should vote for them AGAIN, not why I should not support the government all the time.

Imagine if we just had one leader who turned conventional politics on its head, stopped picking holes on the competition and worked on thier own party, they would have so much time on their hands that they could develop a plan of atack that might actually see them win some seats.

It is worse than a schoolyard, I wish as a labour voter they would get over the inferiority complex.

Winning the election starts with the people having confidence in labour's abilities, the fear of the Liberal governement taking the country to ruin left 2 terms ago. Generally people think things are ok, we are not in dire straits as a country so pushing out a bad government is not the marketing ploy to do it.

I feel very confident that as soon as the federal ALP develops a policy we'll be the first to know.

What about another of Bazza's drawings with arrows and lines and other ink blots. What was it....ah, I think it was called knowledge nation.

Fat chance the ALP would ever have a search for relevancy with a $100K reward attached as the US Dems have done. The various factions already "know" what they want and consider the electorate the noisy rable that occasionaly needs a bone hurled at them.

Until the various ALP branchs can put their own candidates up for election and the ALP allows members to cross the aisle without expulsion from the party there will not be a relevant opposition.

Andrew,

I think Labor is doing better than some claim - especially with Craig Emerson challenging some the sacred cows on education funding and tax. IR will be a tough battle ground as Labor has to ensure it doesn't repeat the 1998 election all over again - it needs better fairer reform, which is a tough proposition.

Beazley is scared of the rank and file who are in general are stuck in pre-Keating thinking - so opening up the agenda at Conference and in the broader party is a dangerous proposition. Beazley or a successor must find a body of opinion that is broader than the membership, the Fabian's, the Chifley Foundation, and other captured interest groups to have this debate in.

What do you think of primaries? I think they are that forum.

Good article.

Corin