Lexi TBC while often holding views similar to ours is a refugee from the ALP.
A Green at that, justifying his actions will not let him see the truth.
He however is both very right, and very wrong, in his views about branch membership.
Labor is talking about addressing this issue, but not yet acting.
At the end of my union job, I seemed to be the only active party member, it was never more than 45%, of officials.
Constant pleas from a past Secretary, to join the ALP, made to delegates not officials,who must be .
Failed, one of 30 joined,and found it like swimming in treacle.
I stood midst the heart of NSW Unionism, and a powerful center Unity heads office.
To hear the branches selected candidate, an active area member, was to be replaced, by Peter Garret.
Sussex Street has time and again, told us Branch's in the current form are decorative only.
Fund raising booth manning but unneeded, once the power brokers who climb them like a ladder have reached the next level.
A sand box for older true believers to play in while resisting change.
Have no fear!
Labor warts and all, will learn and will continue to be the choice for true change.
Factions ,unlike say Italy, but it could be far more country's, unite groups in one.
In those country's factions control the very Parliaments and stop any progress.
Never fall for the idea Labor should return to its beginning, be the best opposition forever.
I will soon, take up my own challenge,put my views on the faults of Conservative party faults, because they have far more problems than they wish known, and factions

Dear Belly,

Thanks for that.

I hear you loud and clear.

As I stated previously - it's early days yet
lets wait and see what happens next. I have
no doubt that Labor will rise above all this
and positive outcomes will be the result.
Labor has survived for decades - due to the fact
of its ability to change and adapt.

Lexi artistic paintings of a dead ALP are painted by the self interest of others.
Have no doubt, I think we should be so far in front in polling we could force a DD.
Our policy's say that.
Rudd's removal has damaged us, personal hatred of the bloke, blinded some.
But that will end, as it must, sorry but only a miracle can stop out decimation, next election.
Abbott will be gone Gillard exposed and us? flogged.
I speak out because my party comes first always.
Because the lie solidarity is chanted to stop us reviewing our faults and mistakes.
Only constant change and improvement will do.
And as more demand an end to the idea we rank and file are just the oil rags for others the better.
My wish and demand remains be the best we can always.

You see Lexi, Belly agrees with my observations.

He likes to qualify some, to save face, but in essence, he agrees.

Where did the current crop come from?

As I described. In their early and youthful hunt for a career, not in their discovery of a useful activity after many years of work and experience.

I concur on the standard of the other side though. Given their propensity for loving money and power, maybe most of them are failed at business, Turnbull aside, with no other avenues open to them?

As for Gillards Goons shining? Well, everything is relative (particularly in the ALP when having a relative in it helps your career heaps)and it really is not hard to shine against a Hockey, Bishop (both) or a Pyne, although, to be fair, Gillard's Goons do struggle against Abbott's 'best' at times.

I have abandoned the media, and see for myself the parody that is government, and at the state level too, with Bligh here and NSW and Victoria too.

Pathetic, is being generous.

BTW, I am happy for Belly to critique the Greens, as they should be too, and I am more tha happy to support those worthy of support and denounce those not.

Being Green is a practical step for me rather than a Belly like adoration.

Blue Cross, why is it that you and a couple of others who reveal themselves as greens come out of the woodwork to attack Gillard,Labor, factions but never to defend Green policies?

Please explain what the Greens will do over the next 18 months to save themselves from irrelevancy under a majority coalition government they are aiding and abetting to get elected.

You'll have to ask them that, Im not all that interested in their fate, to be honest with you.

I expect though that their vote will drop as people make an effort to ensure either a Coalition or an ALP crew is elected.

The results of Gillards election, although not a disaster at all, are resented by the very people who created this situation, the punters.

I imagine, just as when the punters foolishly gave Howard both houses, there will be an overreaction to the power sharing on the green seats and independents and some Greens will go.

Such is life.

As for defending Green policies. Hmm, why should I?

I am mainly voting against the Coalition and ALP, whose policies are very poor but that does not mean I think the Greens are very good.

In fact, there's one I think is intolerable and a total disgrace.