What has happen to Labor and their supporters. They seem to have turned into conservative wolves in socialist clothing. Where is the radicalism of the old Labor Party? More concerned with the economy than people. Yes I'm a member of the Greens, when you conservatives call me radical I know I'm on the right path. Without us 'radicals' there never will be change. Those that don't have a voice will never have one, there never will be true social justice without us 'radicals', 'watermelons' what every you want to call us.

Paul 1405 I take it for granted you refer to me.
Willing to agree with you too, we are no longer a radical party.
No green party would exist if we did not have our refugees kick starting the greens because they wrongly think as you do.
And no government other than a conservative one would EVER RULE Australia.
Let us look at the radicalism of the ALP why it was needed and why it no longer is salable to voters.
Post ww2 we had won many better conditions welfare child endowment much more fought for and won by Labor, conservatives fought us every step of the way.
Menzies came along, he filled the wishes of middle Australia, not me but he held that ground.
A confused and fragmented ALP even having Communists in its ranks helped Ming[ Menzies] keep us in opposition for 23 long years.
Our savior? the big bloke came along we sang its time and watched great good and great stupidity take place.
Loony leftists did great harm, monkey nuts was the nick name of a back street money lender , even after Whitlam said no further dealing with him we continued.
On 11/11/1975 I saw a revolution coming, waited for it , it never came.
Australians ,very much like right now, feared Labors radicalism, believed the lies in partisan media, and ALP voters through us out.
Hawk returned us to government and did a better job in government than our last attempt.
Governing is maths, pure maths.
Australia no longer looks to the lights on the hill no longer thinks of them and us.
Be warned radicalism will always be a minority view.
Continued.

Paul let us get down to the nitty gritty.
Will you concede conservative voters will not vote green? are opposed to radicalism?
As you show dislike for my type of ALP voter can we say most of us are never again going to vote green?
I want an ETS your group stopped us getting it, radical or silly?
I dislike every thing about Bob Brown,do I have a right to my view?
I wear my union shirts still, bought and paid for 30, still happy to be a member,now every weekend I walk in conservative heartland in one.
Get insulted by even ALP voters BECAUSE the community is weary of greens and a perceived link with the ALP.
If your over all percentage on election day is 15% from where will your next 5% come.
Do you see radicalism increasing?
I see a future that see greens cripple Labor, that even poor quality leaders like Abbott win election after election because the average Joe and Joan are sick of the greens.
A time when indeed radicalism keeps Labor out of power and conservatives in, greens radicalism.
Gillard told it as it is today but is a pasty imitation of a leader.
Paul sorry but for every green voter at least two are totally and forever against you, true honest fact, probably understated.
5 is closer to truth.

Of interest to me recently Belly; the media has been pushing the line that green voters are 1/3 disaffected Labor voters. It seems all apparent to me, that at least another 1/3 would also be disaffected Liberal voters. People who are alienated or embarrassed by their current leaders drawing the race card. Or being development at any cost including environmental considerations. Curtailing corporate power is not such a radical concept even in the Labor Party we see today.

It's not such a radical idea at all, seem sort of sensible to me.

I think there is a growing middle ground of people who want genuine climate action.
People who want more thought put into the future of their descendants. More awareness of whom it actually is, that controls our destiny and how much power can be afforded to them wisely, given the obligation we have in understanding these things, when we do get the opportunity to vote in elections.

Whom is it that represents the greater good, is now the hardest to define,
since I have been following Australian Federal politics.
It's Tweedle dum ( and thats really dumb) in Tony Abbott and Co , and Tweedle dee
(the lesser of 2 evils, only just), to choose in the major parties.

The only thing you could truly say with some confidence today Belly is, that this is a truly lack lustre period in Oz politics.
The whole thing could turn to absolute shite, either way.

Well written well put and I agree with every word.
But not the idea ex Liberals in those numbers hide within the greens.
Gillard, and looking back Rudd let this country down,just what did/does the ALP stand for?
Abbott? he has stolen the good intentions of his party's founders.
We are swimming in it, yet hope exists.
NSW will see Labor voters not hide in greens country, but vote independents or even conservatives first,watch.
Gillard is following my prediction, getting distance between her and greens, on the surface.
Her poling may well rise but she must go Labor must move on from Rudd/Gillards Circus, action not acting please.
I know I have been harsh on the greens.
Have handed out HTV for them, but they are now, forever my party's enemy.
Gillard got it right,they are unable to bend ,to bargain, to be flexible,we should have an ETS.
Test me if we could ask one question of every voter.
Who do you distrust the most.
It would not be possible for Labor or Liberal to have as many who distrust them as who vote for them.
And more than unlikely that more than twice the green vote do not trust or like them.
Radicalism ok if you have the people with you, we must except no party ever will have everyone.
Greens need the ALP or they have nothing, conservatives should join in and isolate them, the future depends on it.
Show me how a minority gets power without riding on the back of a majority.

Belly,
To answer your questions. Conservatives will not vote Green? True
Conservatives oppose radicalism? True. A conservative is nothing more than a person who wants to maintain their position of power and privilege, real or perceived.
ALP voter who votes Green today will never again vote Green? No. You assume that societies status quo will remain. The distribution of wealth, control of decision making, rights of the individual etc will always remain the way they are today, to think that one would be living in a 'Fools Paradise'.
I want ETS ALP way you oppose, radical or silly? radical. Labor offered little in their ETS, Greens did not support.
Belly has a right to his view? Yes totally agree.
A couple of questions for you. Do you want your party to be radical?
Who in society does the ALP represent?