Dear runner,

I think the point being made by Suze is that - a private
opinion is one thing but trying to impose one's religious views
on others is quite another and as PM Tony Abbott in a
secular country like Australia - should not bring religion
into policy making and legislation.

suzeonline,
I think Susan Mitchell's premise is wrong to begin with. While there's surely no question that Abbott is a dinosaur, her implicit suggestion that governments, or oppositions, are run by individuals these days is wrong. Abbott's an ultra-conservative alright and would no doubt love to run the country according to B A Santamaria's rubric, but his handlers would never let him get away with it unless he's sky high in the poles, and he never will be. This was Rudd's problem; he had the popular support when he won office and it went to his head, control freak, but as soon as popular support waned, the knives were out. This actually acts as a defence for Gillard, in that her support for chaplaincy and her despicably populist stance on "border protection" is more about her handlers than it is about her.
And yet, enough of the real Julia has seeped through to show that she has no Labor credentials at all. She hasn't got a reformist bone in her body and I'd love to ask her what she stands for, ideologically and practically--the Protestant work ethic I'd say.
As for Abbott, he's another George W Shrub; a gormless puppet who f---- up on a regular basis but serves as a nightwatchman oppossition leader durimng a dearth. He might even have to serve as Australia's version of a first-termer.
Our leaders R US, and untill we wake up, we'll get the leaders we deserve.

I suppose it's not the best to have outdated values, but just one minute.

Who is choosing what is out dated?

Then again, it must be better to have some values. We really don't need a PM with no values, now do we?

So how do we get rid of the valueless one we have right now?

"Who is choosing what is out dated?"

The same people who are making allegations about the PM's values. Just because you don't agree with someone does not mean your opponent does not have values. Just because you don't believe in climate change does not mean those who do are evil or somehow wanting.

Who chooses which values are important? Hopefully we all get to choose at election time but the pickings are slim.

As an ordinary voter I really don't know who to vote for anymore and I don't think I am alone. The farce is two sides debating about which side has values as though there is much to discern between them. Both are introducing a carbon tax/ETS, both are too cowardly to rethink free trade issues, one spends too much without due care and the other spends nothing on infrastructure. We are still waiting for the fast train network from both governments.

Gillard lied about the Carbon Tax but under very different circumstances, and I am sure she would have kept the faith if it was a clear win, the Libs did the same with WorkChoices which was never bought to an election campaign. Fact is politics has become too disenfranchised from the main populace while pretending to be closer than ever on the basis of a few twitters and facebook. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Only way is instead of bagging the personal attributes of pollies is to get them to provide a manifesto of policies fully costed prior to election and that is the only mandate. Better still put some issues to referendum.

Lexi at best you are being naive. You know that it was the constant barrage from the media that forced Tony Abbott to answer questions re his daughters virginity. You would be the first to whine if Ms Gillard was questioned about her past partners. This sort of thing is typical of the left wing hypcrisy.Every politican brings their values into policy whether Christian, Hindu or secular. At least Abbott's values are known unlike the current PM who changes 'values' on a regular basis. Plenty of secular politicians bring their lack of values from the sewer so it is refreshing to have an alternative. The Greens are bereft of morals. By all means dislike or hate Abbott but don't hide behind hypocritcal double standards.

Thanks for your kind words of understanding Lexi, but God help me if I dare to say anything against Saint Abbott :)

If Abbott, as outlined above, opens his mouth to put forward his position on certain issues publicly, then he and everyone else should expect the public to comment on those comments.

Just because I don't like Abbott's views on certain subjects doesn't make me the expert on values, but rather is my personal opinion on Abbott's values.

I certainly don't want to get into a contest about whether his values are better or worse than Gillards values. That wasn't the point of this thread.

Gee, sometimes I wonder if this site really is an opinion forum, or if it is a 'bash-them-if-they-don't-have-my-views-forum'!