Dear Ludwig,

With the current projections of immigration into the future ( I think, 50 million - was the horrific number) and our diminishing water and other resources, I agree, we should pressure the Government to maintain a sustainable population of not more that 20 million based on the past predictions of the 1950s and 1960s.

But, I still feel that judging a Government after only a few months -
compared to 12 years of the previous one, is too soon.

CJ, I’ll have to reserve my decision as to whether Rudd is ANY better than Howard for a while longer.

In what ways do you think he is “way better” ?

I am concerned about Mt Rudd`s lack of passion and tha fact that he is so positive towards China that he may lose those essential links with the US and Europe.He is promoting an Australian Republic which I think follows this essential theme. He is not a typical Socia;lisrt but , more in the line of a down grade Robotic Tony Blair. He has no idea about sustainability or the fact that it is essential NOW to find alternative Energy Models.Everything is based on fiscal planning and any essential items re Conservation are planned years ahead whan it will be too late. Also as a bureaucrat he does not appreciate that unless we revise the Health system to include promotion of wellness and prevention of illness soon the GDP will be completely taken up with Health costs
Micheal

I think "our Chance" is a spy for China...though he may not know it.
I believe "our Chance" is so enthralled with the the Middle Kingdom and all of the romance and adventure with the Chinese and their past that he actually may be inadvertently working for them.
In Pastor Jack Burrels book "What will become of Australia" 1975 we see Jack speaking about a two-part vision and of "words of knowledge" he has just received from The Lord about an invader inside Australias shores...and of the enemy finally taking the northern part of Australia for themselves... and the southern part of Australia will become a prisoner of a communist-style government which will control all property and land.
How would such a southern government comes to pass (I believe in prophecies on the invader by-the-way)?
My thoughts are that in getting closer and closer to China, as we are, the old communist flame is once again ignited in the hearts of some in Australian politics and we eventually fall into the trap Red China has for us.
Distancing ourselves from China seems to be to be a better course than subconsciously adopting a submission to their somewhat nasty government.
China will never be friends with anyone but China.

Ludwig: << In what ways do you think he is “way better” ? >>

Actually Ludwig, on reflection I probably overstated my case - given the last couple of weeks' performance, I'd say Chauncy is somewhat better than the Rodent, rather than "way better".

However, our resident Sinophobic ufologist is dead wrong, as usual: one of the things that make Rudd a better PM than Howard is that he is better able to engage with China and the Pacific than Howard, who sought to return Australia to the status of an Occidental outpost in the Antipodes.

"our resident Sinophobic ufologist"

I'm not sure the labelling of other posters adds much to the debate but in your case, CJ, it certainly adds to the entertainment value! Keep them coming!