The recent US election of Obama brought back some memories and excitment that I had about a year ago when Rudd and his team made promises to change - the so-called Rudd Revolution. Nearly a year on and no one seems to be talking or evaluating how our 'hope' has evolved, or is it a case of no revolution thus no point?

A bit cynical and maybe uninformed what revolution?
Look back 2 years or three, see Howard and those non core promises.
Look at the children over board issue again or the lies that took us to war.
See again the Australian Wheat Board scandal and cover up, understand that bribe money may have paid for weapons that killed innocents.
Look back on Kevin Rudd's sorry speech, see also the bumbling sad speech from the then leader of the opposition.
A dreadful and truly sad effort.
See today an opposition lead by a man who can do much better.
Crying and even lieing, yes opposing things he would put in place if he was prime minister.
Last look for an instant at the polls, seems more than likely Australia shares my view we are in good hands, and maybe the 3% loss in Turnbulls polling is proof negative leadership is not working.
Watch back bencher's lie, scream in fact of non existent shonky deals in the public service to shelter a prime minister.
Revolution?
I never wanted one, just to be proud of my government again.
Oh I fear the impending new IR, I even fear Julia Gilard may have forgotten her own history, but I will wait.
See I understand my party is governing for ALL Australia not just me.

Obviously it is someone elses fault that Kevin 07 can't keep his promises . I am sorry Belly Kevin 07 will be judged by history for he does not what he says and the same for little Jonney Howard .

I learned early in life, shortly after my miss spent youth in the very left, politics is deep and wide.
Just as is the understanding of the subject.
Some gather thoughts ideas and opinions from the front page of the news paper their fish and chips are wrapped in.
Some from the ideas of parents, adopting biases that are enough to form opinions forever.
Some can not be bothered and claim ownership of that old furpy we should not talk about politics and religion.
Rudd, still, yes still has over well ming support in the polls, if today was election day?
An increased majority no doubt.
No one amung us knew his win would come at so harsh a time.
Almost overnight a crash that is not yet complete, it may, it will get worse before it gets better.
What promises? tell me the one that hurts you, name it.
Or like so many who feed at the shallow end of politics was it a promise you made yourself, one you thought he made.
History will not put Kevin Rudd in the same place as Howard, he may yet struggle, we all may. but he is a far better man.
I again say he is every thing I expected before he won the leadership of my party, he must govern for us all not just me or you I am sure he is.

I believe I am not displaying my own biases here but what I truly think.
Some conservatives both elected and camp followers seem very lost to me at present.
Unable to except the loss, the rejection in fact of last year they bizarrely oppose things they have a lifetime belief in, just to oppose.
Truly isn't it true that some current opposition acts actualy turn voters already in their camp away?
Policy's, plans, win elections moaning and groaning never do.
NSW is a basket case, fruit that should fall into their hands.
But what are the plans? the policy's? what direction will they take us in?
And from my side of the fence we are not much better, yes I too am concerned about IR about the ABBC a Howard tool still in place and about to imprison a man for saying I do not want to speak to you.
But we knew.
It was part of our party's election plan, it would be 2010 before it changed.
Yes I and hopefully a million more will tell Australia it is wrong to have ABBC in the same hands Howard put it in, wrong to gaol a man for such.
But if we want to get past this economic crisis Rudd must lead for our country not a few and conservatives must soon understand voters are not children and need to be won over not insulted .

Dear Belly,
This is the source of my quote . Not original but the words of our Lord Jesus, taken from the book of Matthew chapter 7-16 "You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles" 7-20 "therefore by their fruit you will know them" . I am not an historian so I dont have to judge them but history will judge them by the fruit of their lives not what they say . As a nation we don't trust politicions and I wouldn't be one for quids .

Awww Rudd schmud, revolution schmellovution! It has just been more of the same ‘çept for one thing, schmud’s even worse than schmoward!

All those that are expecting great things from Obama are shortly going to be crying; oh.... bummer!

Have I got this right? Rudd is no good because one poster is a Christian?
Heard about judge not less ye be judged?
While I do not share Rudd's Christianity it is strange that he is questioned by Christians!
Like Obama, please can we here one day debate the dreadful Medea hate and lies directed at non conservatives?
Today on the no spin lie manufacturing news channel the hatred toward Obama blamed him for the stock market crash!
Ludwig, please remember your post, I will.
Howard and Bush are gone.
If both had been replaced by trained monkeys it would be cause to rejoice.
But time will prove real men of real merit are now in control.
One of us is wrong I am content to be judged in say 2 years.
Last, sorry I have to say it, religion sneaks into near every thread.
Giving advice on every thing.
Given my view all religions are fantasy, just maybe we will not get that perfect world until man knows it is up to us to change the world not waiting for phantoms to do it for us.

But Belly, they were replaced with totally untrained monkeys, who, unfortunately for us, think they know it all.

Even more unfortunately, for many like you, with this amazing expectetion in the abilities you have endowed these blokes, the only result can be disappointment.

I hope its a soft landing for you, & your fellow travellers, those of us who don't "believe" can't afford another Whitlam.

Up the thread hasbeen I found the differences between Rudd and your champion.
In another thread I asked[ yes I was joking] are you John Howard.
I get great joy out of your posts, truly.
Every one reminds me why I live left of center.
Much closer to reality for a start.
I find it amusing that you will forget your stand in a few years, its hard to say I got it wrong.
Now not kidding this time, why do you use the tag hasbeen?
Are you indeed one of Johns fallen troops?
Not not being silly.
Your posts have the taste of todays federal opposition.
Breath holding feet stamping and rolling on the floor.
My advice is it may work in NSW after all my side is doing its best to help.
But in Canberra?
Read the polls, re read the statements Turnbull, funny that his name contains the word Bull.
Now look again and think with me on this, he can become prime minister.
IF he structures a plan that is based on policy's and future plans, no government is forever.
But he can destroy his leadership too if he continues to insult voters ability to think.
We are in the grimiest of financial times great depression not excepted we are in the worst of times, it developers still.
Yet Rudd increases his lead in the polls Obama is bound for history books as a great leader fallowing Americas worst.
Howard? may his own party not write his history, it would not be nice.

"The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away"
The liberals build a surplus, and labour goes on a spending spree…

We’re lucky ‘little Johnny’ Howard and his mob left Rudd & his Club Med cabinet a big surplus. Imagine how desperate things would be if they didn’t have all that money to throw around .

As many people in NSW are finding out, Labour’s good governance and popularity lasts about as long as their inherited bank balance, after that goes, it’s down hill all the way.

Belly, Belly, no I'm not John Howard, although I would be proud to have done such a good job of managing something as well as he did Oz. God protect me from orators, & charismatic leaders, I want a manager. It is my experience that few people are given more than one great talent, & we have all ready seen the best of Rudd, & Obama, its all down hill for them, [& us], now.

Turnbull's not a bad orator, so probably enough said. I can see no reason to believe he would be any better than Rudd, except he may not owe as many favours to as many ratbags. I think he may have a few of his own ratbag ideas, ready to produce, if he gets a chance.

I'm damned if I know who would do a good job, for us right now, but it sure aint Rudd, or Turnbull. Still the poms survived WW11, with that old idiot orator Churchill, so we may get through.

In his old age, the man I respected most in this world had a saying, better a hasbeen, than a never was. Well he sure was a hasbeen, definately not a never was. He helped me become a champion, & now, 40 years later I'm proud to have achieved hasbeen status.

For those 40 years I was too busy to do more than look occasionally at Canberra & think "bl@@dy idiots", but now, unfortunately, I have time to see just how badly we are governed.

I find it amusing, that with this clarity of vision, all I have the energy to do, is tap out a few one finger words, on a keyboard.

My 40 years of effort, since I was a very poor "somebody", have left me in a position where even an idiot in Canberra should not be able to destroy my old age. It's up to my kids to plan the future.

Belly, you are so earnest, & sincere, [& one eyed], that it's hard not to have a little dig, occasionally, but no malice mate.

Gday Hasbeen well I find you one eyed too just maybe we both are.
But read Horus post above ours to see true one eyed.
Before Obama steps into office he is finished?
Rudd [68% of us say he is doing a good job] finished?
You and I look at the world differently, yes I am always willing to use humor, well have a go its called.
But am I one eyed?
In threads I started I have put the boot into my party both in NSW and federally.
I would still run[ it would be no easy task] a mile rather than talk to Simon Crean, the man who gave us an even lessor man Mad Mark Latham.
At the country conference of the ALP I requested a minister to, if he ever got the chance, push Joe T from a high place, my party would be better for it.
I am on record, and getting hits for it, saying thugs and mugs exist in the union movement , and they harm us more than bad bosses.
Not my union.
I proudly expect my movement now and long after I am dead both parliamentary and my first love the union movement to be lead ONLY by the best we have.
And do not want a workers paradise just a fair go, and honesty at work for all
Yes thinking about it mate I am one eyed.
I find great hope in men like Obama and Rudd men we will here more of like Bill Shorten and those who replaced him in the union movement.
While all are much younger than me I see the need and benefit in trusting youth.
And the wiseness in listening to people like you and I who have learned much the the school of life
regards

I see all the spin and rhetoric of his mee-too policy statements as nothing more than a “Latham-without-the-overt-intimidation”

Any “revolutionary zeal” will now be tempered as he puts all his efforts into attempting to stop the ship of state from foundering.

The one thing he has going for him, after a decade of conservative prudence, the plates of the hull as pretty sound and able to weather any storm.

I recall the stinking barge which Keating had sailed into the ground and was ready to beach in the “recession we had to have”,

If this (in economic terms) “perfect storm” had hit that ship of state, instead of the one built on the Howard legacy, there would be no options for Australia but to 'abandon ship'.

Idealistic outcomes borne from revolutions are the things of Mills and Boon novels.

The reality is invariably something less romantic, more often than not, something terrible.

Thanks Col I get a kick out of your posts.
Your one sided view of the world.
It would be a very long wait if I watched for you to say something bad about your side of politics.
And some say I am biased?
68% that is how many support Rudd, even the Sydney daily paper, the one that makes news not reports it, said if an election was held today would increase his majority.
Seemingly backing my claims opposition for the sake of it is not winning Friends Turnbull has lost 3% of support.
How will you hide your early belief as Rudd is half way into his third term?
The world is in real trouble, still some refuse to see it.
Warnings came here in OLO.
And early last year so very many here refused to see Howard was gone.
Its time, heard that before?
To understand Obama and Rudd are going to make history, both are men of true merit.

Hi Belly… I get a kick out of your one-sided view too…

68% that is how many support Rudd

Simply because someone has bribed the public with $10 billion of tax payers money to “gain a majority”, does not make for a more ethical, robust or correct decision nor does it produce one which is necessarily in either the medium or long term national / public interest.

“To understand Obama and Rudd are going to make history, both are men of true merit.”

Politicians, they all make history, that is a fact.

Problem is – who ends up paying for it?

What “quality of life” will result as a consequence of the history these men will write for us all?

Personally (and that is the perspective I always write from), the interference and profligate irresponsibility of socialist governments during my life time has only hinder and diminished the quality of life I would have otherwise achieved and been able to share with others.
Anyone who has observed the emergence of the previous Soviet satellite states of eastern Europe from under the jackboot of Socialist oppression can see that

Like dearest Margaret said “The larger the slice taken by government, the smaller the cake available for everyone."

And as far as KRudd and Co is concerned, the current matter of government instituted internet censorship –

“To be free is better than to be unfree - always. Any politician who suggests the opposite should be treated as suspect."


If you care to take your opinions of me further, I will always be happy to respond :-)

Respond away Col, do not however tell me you have not formed opinions about me and any poster here.
I do, I like reading your posts, the idea that Rudd is some how socialist or in any way like communist Russia amuses me.
We Australians, from both sides of politics do in fact flirt with a form of socialism in some things.
Compare our health, education, social welfare to Americas.
It is true Col that Rudd, in a time of crisis is increasing his polling.
Surely it is true from what we now know this election was no good one to win.
20% has been lost from share prices, maybe much more soon, houses remain over priced and those not concerned should be.
Yet Rudd would increase his margin if an election was held today!
Howard until workchoices had my admiration for being what he was, a very good politician.
And those in his camp would have, did gloat, at the mess my party became under Crean and his mate Latham.
I suffered then daily.
Clearly you do now.
But the polls just as they once supported little Johny now say I am one of the large majority.
Warm and comfortable feeling Col.

Belly “Respond away Col, do not however tell me you have not formed opinions about me and any poster here.”

Strange comment to respond with when I wrote (see above) “I get a kick out of your one-sided view too…”

Maybe you should read what others write before you respond.

As for “Compare our health, education, social welfare to Americas.”

So what, the trouble with socialist services, the consumer is denied natural choice because what he would have had to pay for those services were expropriated in excessive taxes.

I note you make no comment on the economy, Krudd and Co are the beneficiaries of the Howard governments fiscal responsibility and from what I see are on the usual socialist reign of spending terror, where we all end up as another economic basket case, covering a budget blow-out used to fund socialist vote buying.

“And those in his camp would have, did gloat, at the mess my party became under Crean and his mate Latham.
I suffered then daily.
Clearly you do now.”

When one has faith in the merit of the process one supports, loss of election, while a mild annoyance is no basis for real suffering.

The benefit from my perspective is the opportunity offers me to expose the incompetence, hypocrisy and mediocrity of the socialists.

“But the polls just as they once supported little Johny now say I am one of the large majority.
Warm and comfortable feeling Col.”

Well good for you, I have often considered myself in the minority (the thinking minority) who see beyond the next election and beyond my own necessities.

I guess you must feel super-smug knowing you are responsible for electing an the incompetent “Mee-Too” government into the captains chair as he sails us into the abyss.

The benefits of being a libertarian capitalist, I am not hamstrung by a load of stupid dogma which erroneously believes we are all tied together, like on some sort of socialist chain-gang.

Libertarian capitalism believes we are all free to soar like eagles, instead of just gobble, like a bunch of socialist turkeys.

Gday again Col and thanks yep indeed thanks.
See for an instant you put me back on that day at the polling booths and back to that night.
Joy!
Still happy and we are even more popular now mate.
I see from your post history you too like a joke so I want to share a funny day this week with you.
Me striding across the road intent on a quick stop at the TAB.
Shocked look on the faces of suit wearing men gathered on the footpath and outside an office.
Just inches away from them I took the steps to the TAB not the office.
On the way out I stopped, it was the opening of the local Liberal members new office!
While grinning in joy I remembered my shirt.
In big letters it said I am fighting and voting for your rights at work.
Grinning still Col last put it on election day.
But will wear it at the TAB tomorrow just for you
regards and thanks.

Belly, "But will wear it at the TAB tomorrow just for you "

Oh please do and whilst you are placing your 'bet' you can think of me.

I have been self employed for the past 20 years. If I do not work, I do not get paid a brass razzoo and not only have never pulled a dole cheque or welfare in all that time but also never fallen behind when I have had to pay child maintenance or meet any obligation which fell on my shoulders.

However, having been through recessions before, I know the merit of a reasonably secure cash flow, even for a 'gypsy' like me.

If you think it is tough today, just wait until after January, when the euphoria of Christmas is passed and people are losing their jobs in hordes, the Christmas break becoming a year-round thing, no more bothering with "maternity and paternity leave" when you ain't got a job to be on leave from.

Personally, I have just signed up to provide my "services" to a group of manufacturing companies. Its 3 days a week and is costing them heaps to set up but pays me in the 6 digits and leaves me time to pursue my other long term retirement project.

So regarding your shirt with " I am fighting and voting for your rights at work."

In short, nothing you have ever done or could ever do ever has or ever would make a blind bit of difference to my employment prospects.

I am a libertarian capitalist not just in word but in deed.

Everything in terms of 'employment' I have achieved has been by direct, one on one, negotiation and agreement.

So like you said, we both enjoy a joke and I like to share so, I hope you have as much to smile about as me, financially secure in a very unstable world and reaping the harvest of what I sowed.

My wish is for the cretins who now run the government to leave me alone to make my way, it produces the best outcomes.

Ah gee Col sorry bloke I am/was not fighting for your rights at work.
And I too am looking after my own future if at all possible I will not take social welfare.
Health problem may force me.
Rather proud to be one of those cretins.
In debate try to remember we are not always right.
Truth may be in between us both.
I picked a winner today so am quite cashed up.
Yes next year will be worse but as a Man of the world you are not blaming the crash on us cretins from the ALP are you?
Bet my winnings today against a grain of rice Rudd wins the next election.
Want to take the bet? adding value for you make that next two elections.
Are we on?