Thank you for that Susan, maybe I was a little harsh on OLO. The topic of Abbott tends to bring us to boil and sometimes we steam in the wrong direction.

I think you may have a point DavidB, the concept of "Christian Socialism" is absurd as it is revisionist in its terms of reference, and therefore leads us into a postmodern mess.

Socialism may have been influenced by Christianity, but in chronology, of course, Christianity came first. To link the two is dodgy and suspicious. The last thing we need is revisionism and postmodern muddiness just to confuse us all, left right or indifferent.

Tony Blair and new Labour in the UK put the country into an identity headspin when Blair was not the progressive leader people hoped for. This really muddied the waters on both sides of the house, as the Tories also had to find their identity. This confusion still has jumbled up the House of Commons in the UK. It was getting like that at the end of the Keating era.

So we need to hang on to our seatbelts and get our bearings. We are about to have our identities challenged when all the rules and goal posts move.

Fletch...

the concept of 'socialism' is entirely Christian in origins as far as I can see. Its just that somewhere along the line, some bright sparks named Marx and Engles just saw the worst and most distorted manifestations of so called Christianity in the industrial revolution era, and then attributed that greed and exploitation based image to the roots of the faith and thereafter declared it the 'opiate of the masses'and sent God to the sin bin.

But in truth, one never needs to use the political idea or tag of 'socialism'... in the context of the Church. Its just plain 'Christianity'.. looking after the less fortunate within and without the Church..

"If you do good only to those who do good to you, what reward have you"(Jesus)

But the problem comes, when our faith becomes too intermeshed with a State. Within the 'Church' context we can enforce certain rules, such as a man living in on-going adultery will without question be 'kicked out' so to speak until he repents.

The Church as an organization, does not really have any political role other than as a prophetic voice.

Amos 5:24 "But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!"

Having said that, the crunch comes when various segments of society have differing views of 'Justice'.. such as with the standard list of 'left/right' issues.. including 'choice' 'homosexual behavior' 'censorship' etc etc.

At this point, a Christian politician must nail his colors to the mast, and be prepared to stand or fall on that basis. If he wins based on the democratic processes, then so be it. Same if he falls.

No 'Christian' politician could ever in good conscience support 'Same sex Marriage'.

I also think that Tony's attack on Kevin, might be a little about "He is a FORMER Catholic" not just "He doesn't have credibility", but just guessing there.

I don't feel comfortable when anyone seems to take a 'no matter what' approach to bring another down for the sake of political advantage, so it might backfire on Tony and the Coalition.

Some members of the Coalition can be considered to be garbage workers rather than members or Ministers of Parliament. The emphasis of the Government at present is trying to find mud in relation to Labor. Its as though the Liberals have acknowledged they have lost the way, and cannot stand on their record.

We are told that the Coalition is better at making decisions. Pretty good when the dumbest decision made in Australia for many years was to become involved in the war in Iraq. Poor decision making by Ministers was a constant issue in relation to Detention Centres.
The Coalition has been caught out in relation to their stance on Climate Change and are hurredly trying to make it appear as though they are on top of it. While David Hicks may or may not be a terrorist, the decision making around him has been appalling.

What Tony Abbott has written is akin to the stuff that come from the fundamental orifice of a bull.

If this is election year then Tony Abbott will be spouting all his Christian venom at all and sundry.

Yes, election year where goodwill, peace and harmony is banned. Rather we see supposedly responsible men and women attacking each other over minor issues, resignations suddenly are common, not from Parliament mind you, just Cabinet. Seems it's OK to be somewhat corrupt, unwise or just plain stupid if you are just representing the people of Australia.

In Cabinet of course one's loyalty lies with the "Leader", the old man who lives in a shoe, or several shoes.

Do as you're told Tony, rip into those awful Christians, you, like yourself. Supposedly that is.

What ever happened to trying to do what's best for the country and the people? Seems only minors and independents actually try to represent their electorates. Not Tony though. Attack dog he thinks. Panting poodle as I see it. Roll over Tone.

To add to Saint Fletcher's cry for equal time, where are the articles on policy from all those minor parties and independents? No coverage I'd suggest, certainly not here where majors are the hit draggers.

"I don't feel comfortable when anyone seems to take a 'no matter what' approach to bring another down for the sake of political advantage, so it might backfire on Tony and the Coalition."

I agree with you entirely David, which is probably a first. Ian Campbell has stated that he resigned for political reasons, rather than through having done something illegal, or even unethical. It’s disgusting to besmirch the character of another person for the sake of trying to hold power.

Mr. Abbott led the vanguard against Ms Pauline Hanson; Ms Hanson is about as far from my political views as you can get; however, she did not deserve the dishonourable attacks from Mr. Tony Abbott.

Polls are showing that politicians are at the bottom of the pile as far as the electorate expecting truth or ethical behavour; below or on a par with Used Car Salesmen. Do us a favour Mr. Abbott and worry about governing Australia rather than the imagined machinations of your opponents. You may even gain some respect back if you take such a stance.