FOXY,
As usual, your delicate touch has grasped the basic argument that these two diametrically opposed views ultimately means that we as a nation suffer because what is good for either party is not necessarily what we need.
Kevin’s intellect and grasp of foreign affairs is impressive (I suspect he’s smarter than Howard). Howard survived on (rat cunning) wedge politics and a steady as it goes IMAGE. As for Kevin’s ability to run the country draw both sides into the process in my mind the jury is still out. I admit I have no illusions that the 1950’s were better than today just different. I can’t see the sense in going back to the future. Lets deal with what is now.

DEMOS
You too are spot on putting the finger on that lumping us all together in predetermined ‘ideological based policies settings’ denies us the ability to determine individual policy needs and therefore denies us real democracy. Ancient Athenian democracy had its power plays some incredibly bloodthirsty but it was issues that took priority. Democracy today is we choose our rulers from a selection determined by dodgy back room dealing (by self-interested motivated minorities).

BELLY
I understand that you disagree with my premise and thank you for that. Given the current power mind sets you are right. We shouldn’t have to join a (single) political party with its strictures and internal politicking (branch stacking) to change elements of party policy.
The idea that those who don’t belong to a party choices are between this bunch of policies V that bunch of polices is logically bizarre. “Efficient (?)” but at what cost?
• Each ideology in practice means that there are social victims (those that don’t get to share of social protection. Surely society is there to raise the bar for all not simply political party ideological favourites.
What it isn’t is democratic. Neither is Social Darwinism

Dear examinator,

Thank You Kind Sir.

You have a way with words.
Which I like very much.

The problem with politics is that there are
good people, but they're not all on the same
side.

I like Kevin Rudd's long term planning.
Because I feel that if you're only concerned
with the here and now, you may plug a few
holes, but ultimately the gaps will continue
to widen.

Most people want things done instantly. They
want it now. However, unless you look to the
future, your short term solutions will only
create bigger problems.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.
For what its worth.

Foxy
Who me? Aw shucks twas nuthin any other masked crusader wouldn't have said.
I want to see solutions not divisions. You know I just read a book called Buddha to Bono he has some good observations.
One that I like is that in 2500 years we still haven't learned how to get on with each other. Like him I often wonder why.
It seems to me that it's because we spent too much effort in differentiating focusing on the differences rather than our commonalities.
Most of those differences are truly little more than skin deep.
We were never under threat from Communism we may have been under threat from an autocratic regime masking as communism. But as writ by Marx Engles it never existed. Ideas are powerful but it takes people to implement or pervert them.
As I said before we don’t have Athenian democracy we simply have limited selection of elected dictators. Notice how there is a relationship between the length of a government and the losing of public touch. Shades of Animal Farm.
Hence today we refer to their snouts in the trough.
But come the revolution I will be supreme (without onions they disagree with me)with thick bese too.

Right/ left is symbolism from the west versus communism era. A political manfactured creation. Based on Dexter (right..correct) and Sinister (Left ...evil)

It seems to me that life as a slum dweller in Saudi Arabia is just as miserable as a peasant in the backblocks of Russia.
We need to dispense with these artificial boundaries and simply see people as people not all the other nonsense. That in my sense is neither left or right just common sense.
But I admit it's a lonely battle. Eagles and turkeys come to mind.

Dear examinator,

"Who was that masked man?"

Now I know.

What a pleasant surprise.

Talking about turkeys ...

There's an old saying:

You cannot demand the same from a sparrow as from
an eagle.
(Old saying).

Still, it would be great if we all looked at the
bigger picture, rather than our superficial differences.
If we could find ways to do things, rather than
come up with reasons for why something can't be done.
As I've written in earlier posts, once people no longer
take their world for granted, but instead understand
the social authorship of their lives and futures, they
can become an irresistible force in history.

cont'd

"From Buddha to Buono," Thanks. I'm going
to try to get hold of a copy.

Sounds interesting.