glen.v,
Housing affordability, what planet do you live on mate, Zircon?

When I saw the author's name, I was expecting silly anti-Howard poetry only be surprised by a well written piece.

Howard's first 5 years of government was good management only to lose the plot on September 11, 2001. From this time on, more so since a marginal majority win of the Senate, Australian's are facing bleak times as Citizen's are losing jobs to imports who work for lower wages and no rights. That my friends, is treason.

People are finding it harder and harder to keep up, disabled people being cast aside like vermin missing only natural gas powered rooms. Not acknowledging people as disabled does not eradicate the illness but hey, let's save money so some foreign business can take it instead.

Howard has become nothing but a traitor, his whole government in need of imprisonment for this serious offence.

The author forgets that one more Bali or terroist attack will turn the polls in a day. Anyone calling the election this far out has a lot to learn about how people vote.

The major polls have shown a steady drift away from the coalition to Labor for more than 12 months - see http://www.ozpolitics.info/election2007/polls.htm
It is clear many voters did not want Howard any more but weren't prepared to go for Beazley either. The change in leadership has been the excuse those voters were looking for to change camp.
As long as Rudd doesn't do anything really dumb between now and the election he has an excellent chance.
If the polls continue to strongly favor Labor don't be surprised if Howard develops a health problem mid year - better to quit on medical grounds than be seen as a loser.
Is there self interest in Howard boosting funding for aged care? He should be looking for new accommodation by the end of the year.

It stuns me that howard is where he is, first when he was treasurer the interest rate and unemployment rate was sky-high. They are down now because of howard no! howard had nothing to do with the resources boom mainly from China/Japan.
Howard is divisive, a proven liar, deceitful and untrustworthy.Also the don (I know nothing) of an ugly group of political thugs which has destroyed others - namely Pauline and Cheryl and a failed attempt to destroy Keating.
Every election he treats the voting public with total disdain and why wouldn't he as he buys their votes and they willingly sell them. He has began this election with "his?" great water deal please would we have this flawed deal on the table if Rudd hadn't first talked about the problem which has been around for 10+ years. Howard will spend any amount of OUR money to stay in power. Also he has thrown money at the retirement homes again after how many years of neglect?
He also stopped the dental scheme for the elderly, here it is reported that older pensioner citizens have resorted to pulling their own aching teeth with pliers. But, of course, where else could he obtain money to stay at Kirribilli house and have the RAAF take him to and from Canberra - a sort of expensive taxi service for a heap of arrogance. I hope that at last the electors will see him for what he is. Regards, numbat

A very astute post John on the decade that has been Howard's Way.

But 'glen' you mentioned: Low interest rates? Full employment..what year was this glen?....mmmm..No.. I don't think so....E.G: the employment figures we do get, are at best rubbery and cloaking a vast population of working poor thanks to Howard excluded from full time employment & reduced to the joys of long term uncertain casual shifts, part-time roles while raising their families, paying childcare etc., - on half the wages of their lucky plasma owning betters.

The Lucky Country is now only for the Lucky few glen..