There will be no change of Government until an ALP leader has the courage to give voice to this Nations repressed outrage.

Australia's Pysche has dramatically changed over the last 5 years. Howard has played Mephistopheles to our Faust and we have accepted the bargain for the mirage of economic security. In return, we have sacrificed almost every value one could argue was distinctly Australian.

If Norm of "life be in it" was representative of our now lost "long weekend culture" it has Morphed into Norman, an overweight financial planner who after a 12 hour day in the office loves nothing more than to watch reality TV. What's wrong with that, well Norm had values, family and mates. Norman he has a plan and a network. Norman, may go to the gym and stay relatively fit, he probably does not smoke or drink excessively but he suffers from a myriad of anxieties and needs anti-depressants to cope with the sterility in his life. His wife if she is still with him is perpetually dieting and his kids wont leave the house. Lifes highlights are a new investment property, upgrading the car, mobile and internet access.

Of course that is the best of it. In the meantime, Norman is far too busy to have any self formed opinions. Names like Hicks, Rau, Jihad Jack Thomas, Habib, Avarez Solon cannot enter his consciousness. Vaguely, he occassional recalls a picture of a dry river bed, arguements regarding global warming, or Iraq. But to be honest all of that does not rate with his primary concern: the value of his home, and investments.

We all know this country is performing well economically only because of China's demand for what is in our earth. The Howard Government has not introduced any major initiatives. By any measure our export sectors have regressed. Simply, Howard has allowed us to double the value of our homes and than use the increased equity to bank roll what ever it is we wanted. The best we can say about this government is that it has balanced the books. Congratulations.

Much that I dislike him, I think that the ALP hasn't got a prayer in next year's election unless they vote decisively today to elect Rudd as leader. Of course, if he succeeds it means that we're likely to get another right wing practising Christian PM, with the only salient difference being that Rudd's party pretends to represent workers' interests above those of their bosses.

Morgan,

Unlike you I know not a lot about Rudd as a Politician, but as you say we need someone there who has a 'prayer' pardon pun, of getting Labor elected..if he does pretend to represent workers thats better than nothing.

Get rid of the IR laws and then figure out the rest.

This morning it seems that rudd is well in front..so Rudd it is.

Is that good?..time will tell and its either a huge plus for Labor, or slip further into the bog that is Labors lot these days.

C.J. well at last there is something about which we can agree.

[Rudd's party pretends to represent workers' interests above those of their bosses.]

EXACTLY.. 'pretends'. What are 'workers interests' ? They certainly are NOT promoting ever increasingly unsustainable wage and condition packages which continue to elevate us into the clouds of uncompetitiveness. UNLESS one has resigned ones-self to the idea that there will be massive unemployment in all sectors which are being swallowed up by the 50c an hour Chinese slave labor rates, and you are naively optimistic that the small remaining segment of employed people will have enough political clout to keep you in power for the sake of their pay and conditions.

HENCE my now infamous 'sign'. But the truth is, workers pay and conditions and security will only ever be guaranteed by attacking slavery at its source.
Workers and electors have to choose one of 2 options:

1/ Allow all uncompetitive work to goto China and India etc (and face the social cost) (uncompetitive against 50c/hr has nothing to do with 'efficiency')

2/ Reduce the attraction of such places by taxing slavery and blatant economic opportunism. (India etc)

I don't think there is any other choice. Unions always try to remain relevant by fighting for more pay and less work so.... where to ?

Rudd won't do anything, Howard SURELY wont... and we will just have another sudden 'refugee' crisis just before the next election and Howard will be returned.
So... in short, we are screwed. "We" meaning most of us who don't have jobs in un-outsourcable infrastructure, or law. Perhaps Accountants are still safe.

Any real world thoughts ?

Shadow,
The problem is that the Labor party will not 'figure the rest out later' (ie,Rudd's conservativism). They are suffering from a lack of self belief now. Doub they would even know if they are Left or Right.

If the next election is based solely on Labor repealing laws then they won't win.

However, if they begin to daggle some carrots to the greedy middle Australians, they might have a chance.




PS> Has anyone listened to what that tosser is saying in that microsoft ad planted in our discussion list?