Atman
In my opinion Lyn Allison's summary of the Howard years is accurate.
You can't seem to stay on the argument or respect another's right to an opinion. These are primary democratic principles.
You waste words with your personal attacks.
I respect your right to disagree but I have no time for your childish personal outbursts.
It is pointless attempting a sensible dialogue with you.
Good luck

Hey Rancitas,

I reckon there is good and bad in everyone. I haven't bothered with this thread because the author needs a large dose of balance. No no no! Not balance of power...

The Russian bloke: The least educated but best of the Russian classic writers. The first comment a fact, the second an opinion shared by many including me. He has great irony, dark humour and earthy expression. I think you'd enjoy his short stories especially his 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk'.

John Howard sticks in your collective craw because he is the consumate politician.He knows the reality and plays the same game under the same rules as Labor,Democrats or the nutter Greens.

We keep re-electing him and his party because economically they keep producing the results.Labor in the past have not,and as far as NSW goes at a state level goes Labor are an absolute disaster.The Democrats are a bunch of Communists dressed up in free enterprise garb.They aspire to Swedens model of 30% GST and a Govt that dictates how much you can earn and you'll still need permission to go to the toilet once you've paid your taxes.

The Democrats are the real con-artists since they aspire to stifle the spirit in the guise of protecting the rights of the individual.

Gee Arjay.... Are you a political analyst?

From what I have read they have the most Democratic structure of all parties. So they must be Democratic Communists with rightist, leftist leanings.

Give your typing fingers a rest Arjay....

If you actually believe what you typed might I suggest you see a Doctor... Are you missing a cow or two from the top paddock?

It's fine to defend your Little Johnny but to suggest there are "Reds" under Democrat beds... is the funniest thing I have heard in years. Why don't you ring Johnny Howard and inform him? He'd like to know I'm sure.

Are you a sit down comedian?.....lol

Here here Arjay.

Tell it like it is.

If Lyn Allison has not got food for thought out of this, there is something wrong.

Can you see the failings and misconceptions out there? We dont want political parties bagging eachother, we WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOU. Stop throwing stones, it has worked for many years but todays society is different, more informed, and so immune to the constant degrading of the Government and their 'terrible actions' that all your slander and shots are not listened to.

Try working only on your own party, if you want to comment on an issue, comment on how you would do it better, not how bad the party/person/decision is. If you take away your negative demeaner, realise that propoganda, fear and liberal bashing do not work in convincing Australians of a better alternative government, you may see support.

Tell us about you. Now, i know little about you democrats, but i know you hate John howard. How can i vote for you? Why are politicians so detached from how normal people think?

A new party will rise as every other major party is rigid and has burnt the majority of its could be voters. By being democratic, not defaming, you may gain support.

Good Luck

Realist,

Whilst I agree that bagging politicians doesn't really work it is always hard for the smaller parties to get air time. You as a realist should know that.

The main stream media are focused on Liberal and Labor and it forces the others to find new ways to get their message across.

There is no good news media outlet when it comes to politics. Even oppositions don't get as much coverage as they should ... afterall it is their job to question the incumbents. Unless you have a massive issue like the alleged AWB scandal most people are too busy to care.

Realist I agree that people want to know more about parties but what platforms can the Dems (for example) use to get their message out when the media won't pick that up.

That is why Natasha was good for the Dems... she had a public profile and was out there in other forms of the media. She was even criticised for that and yet she was being proactive.

I'm not a Dems voter but I too can be realistic and see the difficulty they have as a small party.

Catchya