Paul you hand it out, so take it too.
A measure of a man to do so.
Now if you think my posts change any thing you need help.
But if you think my words are not shared by 80% of AUSTRALIANS?
Nothing can help.

Belly, of course I can take it. If the Bimbo told the Mad Monk to "put a sock in it." I could understand. When Labor's Tweedle Dum (Senator Faulkner) tell Labor's Tweedle Even Dummer (ACTU Boss Howes) in public "put a sock in it." I couldn't resist.
I see Joel Fitzgibbon is out there destablising The Bimbo. Ready for another Rudd challenge. Fitzgibbon on back Gillard last time because she promised him a plumb job
"Chief government whip Joel Fitzgibbon has reiterated his comments that political leaders who are unpopular are unlikely to survive."

I TRULY! AM ROTFL! at that my lefty seeker of dreams mate Paul.
Faulkner is both one of Labors best, and from the LEFT.
We can do that in my party, be both.
I see, feel, smell your pain, but at our age we just have to except some things we believe are wrong.
The Title of this thread can be modified and still make sense.
Try *Is the highlighting the true nature of the greens a battle Australia can afford to not win?*
Melbourne by election has given you an interesting helper.
IF Gillard was not around your chances would be zero.
Not sure what to expect, if we win she is propped up if not?

Dear Paul,

Most of us want social justice. However,what does that mean? We both belong to the Greens for apparently different reasons. You have disparaged capitalism. What would you put in its place? The Marxist countries not only were horrible tyrannies but also did not provide as good a choice of consumer products as the developed capitalist countries. As far as I can see the best examples of social justice are the capitalist Scandinavian welfare states. Since you apparently want to get rid of capitalism what would you replace it with?

David f.,

Here's a great article by Tony Judt on social democracy.

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2009/dec/17/what-is-living-and-what-is-dead-in-social-democrac/

The feeling of well-being in society under capitalism is, in my opinion, dependent upon the extent of social democracy in play.

The first two paragraphs hit upon your theme:

"Americans would like to do things better. According to public opinion surveys in recent years, everyone would like their child to have improved life chances at birth. They would prefer it if their wife or daughter had the same odds of surviving maternity as women in other advanced countries. They would appreciate full medical coverage at lower cost, longer life expectancy, better public services and less crime.

When told that these things are available in Austria, Scandinavia or the Netherlands, but that they come with higher taxes and an "interventionary" state, many of those same Americans respond: "But that is socialism! We do not want the state interfering in our affairs. And above all, we do not wish to pay higher taxes.""

Dear Poirot,

I do not call the system which is in Austria, Scandinavia and the Netherlands socialism. They are capitalist welfare states and that is what I would like to see more of in the USA and Australia. Those systems cannot be maintained without a higher level of taxation, but I think the higher level is worth it. I think European social democracy is better than what exists in the USA or Australia. I understand socialism to mean government ownership of the means of production. In the case of public utilities, railroads, insurance and banks I favour government ownership. I am against privatisation of prisons and similar institutions. In areas where there is real competition I favour private ownership along with monitoring the operations to prevent monopolies. I think Australia with Coles and Woolies having over 50% of retail food distribution and tieins with other retail operations has allowed monopolies. I would also like to see greater separation of religion and state with no government financial support given to religious schools and no religious instruction except possibly for comparative religion in the public school. I do not think religion should use government to push its agenda, and I do not think government should control religion.