Mr Howard has been in now long enough to make many enemies. Some commentators have said that he is a victim of his own success (although the likes of some posters unbelievably credit the success to Mr Keating & Hawke). Just proves how blinding political bias can be.

I will obviously be unhappy if Mr Rudd gets elected although not nearly as unhappy as many of the ABC staff etc if Mr Howard is retained. The Labour parties dishonesty is the thing that will get to me the most. Mr Garret, Ms Gillard and many of the other members of the party obviously don't agree with the me to approach by Mr Rudd and yet continue to wear the mask. The factions within the Labour party will become very obvious soon after the election whether they win all lose.

The author makes a huge range of claims that are in dire need of refutation, though the word limits here mean that I don't have enough time to comprehensively reject and ridicule each and every one of them.

I'll hardly be voting Labor... as a centre left voter who is witnessing the demise of the Democrats, there isn't really a competent party out there I can vote for anymore.

Though I certainly don't think the Libs have been doing a good job.

So, to refute instead, I'll provide these four OLO links, which show the incompetence and objectionable things that have to be laid at the feet of the liberal party.

Planning for future growth with infrastructure - the Libs have failed.

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=6627

Genuine economically responsible management? Check out the reserve banks's warnings on party spending. The Libs have failed:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22748694-11949,00.html

How about our international standing?

Those of you that have travelled overseas and have some international awareness know that the Tampa incident forever damaged our reputation abroad.
That was one litany of actions that allowed the xenophobic voices in our society to speak, fuelling a country that has slid into insularity, encouraged by Howard's wedge tactics appealing to the uneducated with little tolerance for different people.
In terms of our standing and respect for human decency, the Liberals have failed.

http://www.hrca.org.au/one%20year%20after%20tampa.htm

What of accountability?
Aside from AWB? What about this report today, highlighting the pork barrelling in regional areas?
Accountable government? The liberals have failed.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22763338-601,00.html

And to those who are itching to point out how bad the State Labor governments are - there's one simple answer.
Look at how bad the State oppositions are.

In relation to our strong economy - with the reserve bank responsible for rates, all governments can do is not spend. Howard isn't. What's more, he placed the rates debate on the table pretending the government has a bigger role than it really does. If he was honest with us, he'd tell us that, but for mr 'non-core' promises, who said 'never ever' a GST, perhaps that's a bit much of an ask.

On the basis of the perceived inexperience of Labour, I guess Alexander means why do we bother having elections? The born to rule mob is in, so why change God's natural plan?

Kevin Rudd has "Fresh Leadership" as his signal, he should put the word,"Again" next to it.
He is ,by my reckoning, the fourth "fresh" Labor leader since Howard became PM. Apologies if I have forgotten others.
Artful says that under Howard ,Australia has the worst human rights record. This is the mantra the leftwing sing to themselves to kid themselves. Australia has ,if anything, been weak in keeping out unsuitable immigrants who have brought much undesirable baggage with them.To the cost of the Australian people.
For a country with 'the worst human rights record' it sure is popular as a migrant destination

"At a Federal level, the Australian electorate has always got it right"

Using the logic and the mind set of the author we may as well dispense with elections all together. Clearly the efforts of JWH give you impression he is not all that inclined to listen to the will of the people or regard the rights of the states very highly either - the end result amounts to the same thing - a delusion that the coalition and their fellow travellers are essentially born to rule.

Howrd has been accused of wanting to turn the clock back - most say to the 1950's - you get the impression from this pup 1776 would suit him and the coalition even better.

Concern about wall to wall Labour is an ignorant position to adopt - the states now have ample latitude to work in allegiance on any nuimber of fronts - and yet there is little evidence to suggest that they do now - they are looking to their own interests all the time - that is there job - ther is nothing to suggest they will change their minds under a Labor Government.

The only danger that has newly arrived on the political landscape is that posed by the coalition who via the corporations act foisted workchoices on the nation - it is that potentiality that leaves Australains open to abuse by either party - federal state liaison have little meaning when the federal government holds most of the cards and is very keen to get the rest

pondering: not all are left wing, i despise all pollies with an even-handed contempt.

i espouse democracy, rule "by the people " as lincoln put it, all around the world except here.

so i'm 'up' on the z-axis, where 'down' is autarchy.

these are matters of no concern to you, just repeat :"two legs good, four legs bad" before retiring each night, and she'll be right, mate.