Dear Belly,

2012 will be an interesting year in politics
that's for sure and what the outcomes will be -
I think it's too early to predict with any
certainty just yet. We face quite a few problems
from last year that still have to be sorted out.
And hopefully they will be with positive outcomes.
However - seeing as the New Year has just begun -
lets look to our future positively with hope.
2011 was a difficult year - 2012 has to be better.

RObert Lexi thanks for your contributions.
Rest assured I think this year is a good one for Labor.
But too navel gazing must continue.
Numbers, the back bone of the ALP and Union movement.
And must never be taken for granted.
I love both, but warn new thinking from new people is needed.
Labor by its nature will be kinder than conservatives to workers and the true poor.
But it must look at why solidarity is no longer what it once was.
Yes factions do put the wrong people in Parliament.
From the Union movement our very best, and our very worst enter that house.
SOLIDARITY! a filthy word! kept pedophiles and criminals in a job.
Say nothing, do nothing, three dyslectic and very unwise Monkeys insulting the rank and file to save grubs.
Yes no corporate board position waits to reward most ALP failures but we must be better than that.
Seeking out *Star Candidates* to win seats, not the best person for the job, shouts to Branch's you do not matter.
Covering up ugly failures insults the ability to think of the electorate.
I challenge why and figure heads party or union should have power for their use not the members use.
I want to avoid getting to slinging mud at conservatives, they do it better than me.
If however others are unable to highlight the internal troubles, the rights kidnapping of the party I will do so after this runs its course.
Policy's!
Labor has to live in todays world, can serve no single group, but must find in its self a renewal of its platform that brings members not chases them away.
Robert Lee Hawk saved the Franklin, Greens won the votes, time we took them on.
If we fail to do so let us find a site for our own burial, our proud history is meaningless.

Belly, "Labor by its nature will be kinder than conservatives to workers and the true poor."

Having worked in the electricity industry in Qld during the Joh era (including the 1985 dispute) and under a number of Labor governments since I'm quite confident that's not the case. Labor has played a lot dirtier with workers than Joh at his worst.

Lot's of two faced manipulation of the system to help their own ends regardless of the impact on workers.

Conservatives won't be very kind to those trying to abuse the system but in my view are often kinder to those who do the right thing.

On the other hand I'm not so confident that "Can Do" and his crowd will be any more decent than the mob currently in power.

R0bert

Labor by its nature will be kinder than conservatives to workers and the true poor.
Belly,
That's what Labor was formed for so many years ago. Since 1972 however, hangers-on academia has hijacked Labor & disguised as ALP started on it's agenda to control everything. Unfortunately for us, they were too impractical then & have descended into outright incompetence which in turn has brought about the loss of Australia as we knew it. They literally crapped on the graves of those who fought for this country.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-rebukes-hawke-on-unions-20120103-1pjno.html
The link is to tell my thoughts are shared, by the once very top of the union movement and the ALP.
My party, my union movement, must confront these issues.
And do so without fear, no one who understands, can think this proposal is other than in the best interests of both movements mother and its child.
Gillard highlights a concern, she has stood in a high powered union IR forum, as I listened, and told us of her views, not unlike mine and Hawks.
She, stumbling with the need to feed the media, not be more unpopular than she is with unionists say what she thinks they want to hear.
Rest assured, in the privacy of the polling booths, some low income workers never in their life voted Labor.
And be assured too, not always for sound reasons, very many have no intention of ever again voting for her.
Rudd's challenge will come by the end of March.
It is not assured, damage will be done .
Just maybe, if enough disturbance internally takes place, another candidate will win.
If Gillard survives? she will be challenged again, before an election.
My party must confront this truth, it is not the parliamentary members, not the faction heads.
It will not be the true believers who save Gillard/sink the party.
Voters are not to be taken as fools.
Gillard a lady of class good achievement and past, has not made it.
Abbott being replaced will only make her impossible task more so.

Well I will wrap it up rational comments are not appearing but I need to underline my thoughts.
Labor is doing far better than media and others are saying.
Failing however to sell its self.
And failing too in more than talking about reform.
Unions and Labor need not live in one another's pockets, both suffer from a view held by many, that good policy suffers.
No not cutting union funding, that will bring the roof down on me, but remember just who donates to the others.
including big mining and tobacco.
Both union and Labor will gain members if it is clear 50% of votes are not fixed in advance.
I challenge my faction, to look at the miss use of rank and file power.
In doing so entrench the growing thought I betray my life's path.
Not so Labor/Unions must live in todays world and think in terms of tomorrow.
I leave but highlight on my way out, Conservatives, cloaked by the hung Parliament, Gillards failure Rudd's too, have never been so bad.
A thread has started talking of leadership, Abbott surely is the worst in my lifetime to lead his side of the house.
Latham like, he is a fantasy of no substance, no chance no future.