Paul know I think you are in all probability a good person.
But too you seem to want a past that is gone.
American Constitution says words something like.
Government for the people,by the people.
How many independents sit in both houses there.
Can you justify your extraordinary claims that Labor is no longer the party of change?
National superannuation scheme, NBN, Carbon reduction scheme, we set the Australian economy on its path with free banking and bought our nation in to this century.
Got rid of work choices.
PAUL greens could not have the power to stop a fix for boat people and much more.
Not have the power to threaten coal and growth.
Not be this country's most despised party.
Without upper houses and preference voting.
You streeetch the string in sprouting your lower house seat, the gentle man won only on Liberal preferences.
Paul, how many Liberals wanted him in the house?
As he is virtually ALP will they put him there again.
What of your stated numbers are second choice/preferences?
Why do some, not even know in effect they vote green by this dysfunctional system?
One vote one house no second choice party's that is Democracy.

I'm sure in the 'World of Belly' all you say is true. However in the real world most of what you say above is rubbish. Lets have a look.
You refer to America, is this the ideal model we aspire to here in Australia. I wont waste time attacking US hypocrisy.
"Can you (Paul) justify your extraordinary claims that Labor is no longer the party of change?"
When it comes to social justice issues Labor is found wanting, gay marriage, asylum seekers, militarism, the environment, social welfare, the list goes on. The reforms you refer to are nothing more than tinkering with the present system. If that system was all good then why the fix?
"threaten coal" how dare anyone threaten coal, what is good for big coal, big oil, big mining, big business, is good for all, just ask Gina Rinehart she should know, she's big enough.
"Not be this country's most despised party." That is true in the 'World of Belly' just read Piers Akerman or listen to Al Jones, they speak for the silent majority, do they not?
"One vote one house no second choice party's that is Democracy." Do you have a death wish for your beloved Labor Party, In the 'World of Belly', where all but the 'big two' are tolirated, the ALP might win 100% of the seats with a first past the post voting system, but in the real world without preferences the ALP would be history.

Belly,

I have to agree with Paul in that Labor has morphed into something I never considered it to be. It seems most Western countries have gone down the same road in their courting of big business to the exclusion of other things worthwhile.

When I began homeschooling, I was in touch with a few people in Canada and the U.S. who I looked to for guidance. During one email, one woman, a magazine editor and writer and all round intelligent and inspiring person, happened to idly mention to me that she used to lead the Green Party in Canada in the mid-nineties, but that she'd resigned early on in the piece for various reasons thinking she could do more for the cause through writing. Unfortunately, in Canada's case, Green influence has waned - perhaps she should have stayed on with the advent of abominations like this:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/03/canadian-oil-sands/essick-photography

There's no substitute for true integrity of purpose, something most Greens display.

Hi Poirot,

As one who is a Green party member and an activist I've got to meet a large number of Greens and what a diverse group, young idealists, trade unionist, ex army, academics, politicians, my partner, old blokes like me, the list goes on.
Its easy to be popular just ask Bob The Silver Bodgie, love ya beer meat pies and footy, which I do too. Be pragmatic, embrace the consensus view. However I believe what you say is more important "true integrity of purpose" have principles, believe in your convictions, stick with your personal morality and fight for what you believe in.
At times it would be so easy to jettison your convictions and cave in to populism, we all love to be loved, but I've found most things that are worth while are not easy to obtain and you will have to confront opposition from many corners. If you stick to your convictions but at times be prepared to compromise and listen to the other blokes point of view, then just maybe the outcome in the end might be the best all round.

Belly

<<my views are too much power is won in upper houses by too few votes.>>

Too true.

And you’re close to the mark with these:
<< greens could not have the power to stop a fix for boat people and much more>>
<< Not have the power to threaten coal and growth>>

And you’re spot on with this too:
<<You streeetch the string in sprouting your lower house seat, the gentle man won only on Liberal preference>>

Surely the liberals wont be stupid enough to make the same mistake the second time around!

So it will be bye bye Adam (hopefully that *delightful* Sarah Hanson-Young will suffer the same fate) and lookie lookie for a new deputy leader --hmmm I wonder if they will still have sufficient numbers to form quorum!

The Green’s have few workable polices the only consistent things about them is they’re good at telling jokes –like this rib tickler from Poirot : “there's no substitute for true integrity of purpose, something most Greens display”

ROFL

What's that sinister snickering in the background?

Up off the floor, SPQR!

You're easily amused. I wonder how the Libs minus the Nats would go with one vote one value?