Freethinker wrote:

"Most of our lives are controlled in one way or another if we allow them to be - tv, radio, advertising, politicians etc.

We live in an interesting 'Matrix' type world, where we actually believe that we have freedom but our freedoms are controlled by the powers that be."

Australian Intellectual Clive Hamilton believes our identities are defined by the influence market forces have on our consumption behaviour, resulting in new forms of exploitation and loss of an authentic, liberated self identity:

“Socialism emphasised the relationship of individuals to means of production. Today it is not production but consumption that is the key, in particular the relationships of individuals to the goods they buy and the influence of marketing in the formation of those relationships." (Quarterly Essay 21/2006)

A marketing student myself, I have reason to be sceptical of
Clive Hamilton's claim that "liberation" from marketing-influenced consumption is the key to self-control, rather than "equal rights" in the participation of production.

It’s not just political ideology emphasising the relationship of individuals to means of production. Consider the discipline of Project Management:

Since workforces have become team (project) oriented, instead of permanent job title oriented, it’s worth noting that “controls” occur throughout project lifecycles to manage activities, interactions and transitions (from one phase of the project to the next).

Do you control the projects you work on or do the projects control you?

It is rather ironic that I can put this question to you after studying Project Management as part of my "marketing course", while also learning how to exploit your consumption behaviour and ultimately deny you from achieving a self-controlled, authentic, liberated identity :)

Be careful how you separately analyse different production and consumption games.

“It’s easy to fall into the trap of analysing these separate games in isolation, imagining that there’s no larger game.” (Brandenburger, Nalebuff. ‘Co-Opetition’. 1996 Currency Doubleday)

Understanding, playing off and changing links between games are “the levers of strategy”. The key to self-control in the 21st century is to “master strategic thinking”. Understanding politics is only part of this task.

…From Justin

In Western Australia, the politicians have democracy, the public do not.
The Labor politicians give the people referendums then when the result is known, the politicians go the other way.
In other words, they get the results they want by riding roughshod over the electorate.
Generally this is a symptom of holding power too long.
Referendums should mean something,they should be respected as being the result of the people's needs and wants.
When political parties show no respect for their electorate,their employers, they generally get what they deserve.
So by being undemocratic they give us the chance to prove that we do not live in a dictatorship.

Tapp “Here i am Col it just shows how ignorant you are to the voice of the people and there concerns.”

How paternalistic of you, I challenge you to a moderated debate on almost any topic. I would even go as far as to suggest you decide if you are in favour or against an issue and regardless of the issue, I will give better account of myself in either defending or assailing the position than you.

I have purposely ignored the baseless ramblings of your lap dog, RobbyH, I suggest make sure he has more ruffage in his feeding bowl, he writes as if he is just so constipated.

“This is about debate but since you are not bothered with the initial questions you are really not interested in debate.”

I have challenged various misconceptions and misrepresentations you and your pet have presented with brief but adequate description of real-world process and procedure.

Your negativity now descends into aggression toward those of us who exercise our democratic right to challenge or oppose your view.

Again, a behavioral style completely unsuited to anyone who wants to be taken seriously in seeking public election or office.

As for “what is the manifesto of your coalition Col.”

If you had any ability and googled “liberal national manifesto” you would find listed

http://www.liberal.org.au/default.cfm?action=2004_policy

Now maybe we could see a similar document for tapp,

I googled “the australian people party manifesto” and found stuff all for “TAPP”.

As the wise counsel said, “be prepared to ask of others only what you can do yourself or risk being called inadequate”.

So take your whine and asinine quasi-theories of the ignorant and insecure and try to stand for public office.

That is my challenge to you!

Publish something and I will happily shred it in review

Hold a public meeting and if geographically convenient, I will attend and run your sorry ass off the stage with direct challenges to your manifesto.

My support of free speech is based on the truth: that idiots declare themselves through their own words.

So declare yourself Tapp!

Now Col I have a constitution and working one my platform as you keep bring up manifesto which is not used here in australia but by many communist leaders it would be assumed that The coalitions comunist manifisto is what you agree too as you have said " I always have and always will vote for the coalition" or words to that effect.

So Col if you have difficulty answer questions dont bother.
This is about debate but since you are not bothered with the initial questions you are really not interested in debate.

So Col since you didnt really bother to read my post here is part again
You will notice that i said i was working on my platform but have my constitution.

I may not have a web site yet but will come.

I see the manifesto of the liberal party is what they used from the previous election.

I can see you are talking about up and comming so col where is this new way or do we have to wait for the US to make the descision.

If you do not wish to fully answer my questions so be it how about making your own discussion and i will attempt in the same fashion to answer yours as you have to mine.

I am not scared of your tactics or any other party.
As I have said i will be running at the next federal election.

I stand for all who are disgruntled and see that they dont get a fair go.

Can I throw in a spanner in the works?
You are all right, so how about put all knowledge into one melting pot and divide it equally.No winners and no losers.
Here is my point to be thrown amongst you-all.
Present day countries/parties are run by Companies. (International and/or local ones.)
If all people could only think of themselves as part of one company with a vested interest in their own future with all survival techniques (voted on) than there is no more use for those blasted party systems which only look after the favourites.
Company policy is peoples policy and not a rule of the few.It could take care of private co's distruction of taxhavens and set "healthy" health department rules for all (again voted on by people) for starters. Study any company and apply enmass.
Any comments?

Yes good call

it seems that these parties that hold office do recieve large amounts of money and also have their own corporations behind the scenes.

Now i disagree with what they have done and are doing.

give me a call email swulrich@bigpond.net.au

tell me more