Like most Australians I didn’t vote for either Labor or Liberal. But the critical question - in what order – I put the Liberals last and Labor somewhere in the middle. The reason was Global Financial Heist and the lucky stars I’d thanked for being in about the only country with a government working its butts off for us, rather than against us for those who conducted the Heist as in Europe and America. Throughout the time of the Heist everything worked – pensions and super payments were paid, public services continued, none of the public’s property was flogged off to corporate mates, and we ended up with triple-A ratings. From the Liberals opposing all this with constant hostility I could guess that they’d have worked against us and we’d have ended like Greece and Spain.

If only the whole population could have been magically transported to live the life of Britain, Ireland and Europe or America for a few months and then back to Australia to re-acclimatise and vote, we would have seen an election campaign in which the contenders' minds were challenged, and a vastly different result. Instead we rejected those who worked so hard defending us - and you can bet the next Global Financial Heist is already being prepared for launch, with our shield stripped away. Expect many of the rednecks who voted for the Libs to blame the most disadvantaged for the consequences.

I voted FOR the Secular Party. They caught my attention in the ads in On Line Opinion and I found their website at and was totally sold. Imagine reading a political manifesto which speaks to the reader rather than at him. Thoughtful and respectful common sense from go to woe.

I notice today that both Abbott and Rudd plan to tie us to a Yank war crime. Again. Don't blame me, as I didn't vote for either.

Mr. Anderson I believe in giving everyone exactly what they have earned, & therefore deserve.

I most definitely gave Gillard & Rudd exactly the respect they had earned. It is no one's fault but their own that was not much.

I can assure you Billy McMahon got exactly the same degree of respect from me, & Abbott will get what he earns also.

Actually Abbott will have to do better to earn my respect. I voted for him so I have some ego invested in his performance. If he proves my judgment wrong, I will be much more savage on him, than I would be on someone I did not help elect

Ok, sorry for not responding sooner but I'm currently on holiday. I'm very fatigued but I'll try to respond to all. I have to merge replies given the post limitations within a 24 hour period.

Shadow Minister: “I am an atheist and personally support gay marriage” I’m not sure what you’re expecting of me here, are you trying one up me by stating common ground as though it makes your perspective more valid? Point is, gay people (of which I know many) feel marginalised and believe they’re being treated as sub-human – that is a fact. So your appeal to me that you are progressive in these social areas means nothing.

As for the “coalition” vote, I reiterate my point, Labor received more votes than “Liberal”, * “Liberal” *. Given Abbott’s complete disregard for minority governments he seems to find himself at the helm of one and still speaks of mandates.

And Labor “wildly incompetent”? Ok ‘LNP mouthpiece’, well done on parroting coalition drivel.

Hasbeen: Ok, I understand now, you have a superiority complex about your engineering degree and at the same time pat yourself on the back for having paid for it outright. Well done~

“make believe disciplines” – please, write a paper on this, put your NAME to it, and I’ll give it the appropriate response. Until then, I won’t entertain your nonsense.

And you need to seriously check your definition of “tough criticism”. The only thing you’ve proven yourself capable of is petty personal insults and outlandish remarks. The fact that you tell me I need to grow up is superbly ironic given you resort to primitive mudslinging. I do believe your comments are also in breach of online opinion's user conduct outlined in the legal section, as such I will be pointing out your comments to the moderator for examination. Also, Brendon is not my name. As for “spoilt brat”, I think even Tony Abbott would distance him for such comments, as I’m simply stating my political opinion (which by the way is unrelated to my degree focus), and standing up for what I believe in

spindoc: My inquiry was indeed sincere. I have to disagree with your reflection though. Whilst you may be correct in assuming the “angry ones” are a product of their time (21st century), I think simply tagging them as angry isn’t fair or accurate. There’s one thing you should understand in this, (assuming you are an older citizen) these “angry ones” are the future and you are the past. Changes in social construct have always been tumultuous, and it has always been the older generation looking bitterly at the younger generation, it is nothing knew. Personally I try to treat all people with respect, regardless of age, gender, etc. I’ve spent some time in societies that still place heavy emphasis on these values you hold dear, and I can’t say it doesn’t have its drawbacks. It becomes all about age and little about merit. At the end of the day though, manners are important, but I think there’s a lot of old citizens that just grumble because they don’t understand that times change, and these were probably the gents that were all for seeing some upper thigh at the beach.

Thanks,

Chris Lewis: I’m put off by insults, as I am not so low as to serve them out myself (not to mention as I've stated, it is agains the user conduct of this site). As for my article, it is based off assumptions the majority of the progressive movement has collected off the back of Abbott’s comments and policies. Your dismissal is nothing more than a partisan reflection, one seemingly discourteous towards alternate points of view

Individual: I did not go to a public university. Yes all universities receive some public funding, however my particular faculty receives little in comparison to others (and that’s not a complaint). And I’m not sure why yourself and Hasbeen are caught up on my education. I did not study political science, so how you think my political views exhibited in this paper somehow directly relate to my education is beyond me. Whether I am in the service of the government or not means nothing to this paper, as my personal views are not relevant to how I go about my professional career.

“Isn't there any way we could have some pest control for intellectual vermin?” – You’ve tread dangerously here my friend. Your personal insults and threats are not welcomed, and are against the user conduct outlined in the ‘Legal’ section here: http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/display.asp?page=legal I will be notifying a moderator to have your posts examined according to these conduct guidelines.
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David G: I agree there is a lot of black and white thought going on here.
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Interested_party: “Generalisations and assumptions do neither truth make… nor convincing argument to change my opinion.

Don’t just tell me I’m wrong, tell me why I’m wrong, give me something to think about and a reason to change my opinion, and yes, I can and I have as I’m neither a fool, nor zealot. “ - I strongly suggest you reflect on this and take heed of your own advice.

As for my sign off, it was related to the theme that Abbott does not govern for all Australian’s as he declared. A literal examination that was dissected as both literal and intended, you seem to, in a hot-headed rage, charged straight over the entire premise. As for a “you’re not the boss of me now”, that’s a pretty disgusting interpretation, I’m demonstrating my democratic right to continue putting forth my case, beliefs, ideas and the voices that are drowned out.

Brenton,

I don't think we have common ground, but I was differentiating the issue from gay marriage, as you should differentiate your gay friends's "feelings" from the reality on the ground, emotion from fact.

The liberal party probably did more for gay couples than anyone else, so the claim that Abbott does not recognize gays as equal human beings is hysterical hyperbole.

P.S. the LNP and country liberals are actually different branches of the same party, so the liberal first preference was greater than 42%, way more than Labor, and as the Nationals campaign directly with the libs, the coalition vote is >46% FP and 53.4% 2pp, and with 91/150 seats the claim that this is a minority government is massive self delusion.

You claim that " I’m neither a fool, nor zealot." well it doesn't look like it from here.