THERE’S A DEAD DOGMA IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

There was a time when in Australian politics that when we thought of the Liberal Party, we thought of business-minded conservatives, and when we thought of the Labor Party, we thought of social reforms. And then we had the Democrats to “keep the bastards honest”.

On what issues did the Howard Liberal government get into government? Social reforms with some economic management. How did the Keating Labor government win government? Economic management.

Today, what has either Party offered? Thousands of options, awaiting which ones spark a public interest…nothing but a popularity contest. When did the change happen? For me, the die was cast with the deregulation of business and banking under Keating. The focus of everyone is now business, not dogma. Our masters are oligarchs, most of which live off-shore, or are foreign governments. We don’t elect politicians that represent us, but that represent business and other political interests, and we’re just electing the spokespeople that will deliver the spin.

After-all, it was nothing but a few million dollars of advertising from the mining industry that deposed Rudd. Where did everyone think the mining companies were going to get their resources from, that they would shut-up shop and leave?!? It was us that had them over a barrel, but they convinced the Australian public otherwise.

And you know what REALLY kills me? The Australian public have always whinged about how little tax big business pays, and when they had the chance to stick it to them they collapsed faster than a house of cards. The social reforming left Labor Party couldn’t and can’t wait to serve their mining masters. The Australian public do not realize the opportunity they missed to change the status quo ever so slightly, but might never see again.

MC... wakey wakey :) They "Offer" anything and everything that they think on balance will get them into... or hold... POWER.

Then..whichever side get's in, aaah..you can then do some digging in the boards and share holders of bigggggGGGG corporations, and you will find they are aligned politically with one party or the other.. albeit on the quiet.

Then..you can watch those aligned with the winning party *prosper* in unexpected ways...

You are now up to speed :)

Well yes, We live in a society fuelled by it's own greed and supported through it's ignorance and then wonder why we get f@#k&d over all the time. If you are wondering why, go to those happy little marginal electorates that are full of people who bought homes they could not afford with the car they don't need all based on the sales pitch that if they don't sell their souls to the devil now they will never afford it.
The more i hear, the more i see, the more i read, the more i realise that the fee market economy we have is a short road to diaster. It is totally dependant on our greed and the lack of anything that looks like morals.
I wonder how history will judge us?

Nairbe.... interesting observations :)

"The Free market is a short road to disaster"

I take a different perspective mate. It's not the gun which kills..but the finger which pulls the trigger.

Same with the market.

You had it right earlier in your post

"a society fuelled by it's own greed and supported through it's ignorance"

Does it surprise you that in those statements, you might as well be reading any one of the Old Testament stories about the various kings.... same old same old.. and the 'people' were not much better.

Here is John the Baptist's diagnosis:

7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (Luke 3)

*OUCH*.... you might say. He didn't mince words and the last thing John cared about was 'getting elected' or gaining popularity.

And there is our problem... we have 'Politicians' not 'Prophets'.

What was Jesus "Election" campaign like? :) simple "UNLESS A MAN DENY HIMSELF...and take up his CROSS... he canNOT be my disciple.

Our pollies are "Ooooh.. if you vote for us we'll save ya.. new bridge... new sporting complex...new trinket here.. new rattle there.
"

I sure has heck didn't fall that...and I'm sure you didn't either. But it's up to us to re-educate the rest eh :

Government –and Bureaucrats- State Minions and Economics is Oxymoronic , In essence I suppose they are just as bad as each other ,although One may wish to hit the mountain at low speed , the other wanted to hit the mountain a mach two , and achieved it .
With just a thin veneer of populist Demagogue, That Ideological Subversive Syonide tablet with a thin veneer of an M&M coating tastes lovely to them ;
So we have to take a long term approach then. The Despotic public want socialism and Neo Tyranical Autocrasy , then let them have it.
You can not help someone who can not help themselves , so we have to love democracy.

@AlGoreIsRich, "MC... wakey wakey :) They "Offer" anything and everything that they think on balance will get them into... or hold... POWER."

Lol...no smelling salts required! I'm just trying to gently get some people involved in a discussion. Say something too provocative and all you get is the "nay-sayers" espousing their crap. I'm actually more used to a no word restriction where people are able to fully express a view, rather than 350 word "grabs". It's like debating in sound bites here. I'm only posting here until I organize my ISP, and am able to return to my usual haunt.

But back to the topic, you're correct in that I omitted to say that usually we also hear a "plan" for the country from both sides. In this last election, no side had a plan other than to win office, but not a plan for the country, let alone one based upon the dogma of their political terrain. So they just threw ideas out there and waited for a response...a popularity contest, not an election of government. The Liberals SAID they had a plan about 2 weeks before the elections, but again, it was only a "plan" in name, for it had been quickly and roughly put together after media criticism of neither party having a plan for the country. In effect, it was only a plan to win office not a plan for the country, quickly concocted to sway criticism and to be one-up on Labor.

TBC...