200 years from now historians, students of politics and social researches will ponder,wonder and debate endlessly how could a man like Silvio be elected on more than one occasion by a western economic power. How could G.W.Bush.....etc. Today Australians enjoy to poke fun at such leaders (as long as they think it doesn't effect them). Well in a few months the joke will be on us. The right wing of politics has an unusual knack of presenting public stooges for election (The list is endless).The most dangerous of stooges are the ones that appeal to the lowest common denominator and are backed by crafty individuals. Their rhetoric invariably consists of immigration fears,foreign fears and economic fears. Any fool can steer a ship in fair weather and many dilemma's can be smoothed over by general consensus,occasionally however tricky situations arise that have no clear solution and the responsibility falls upon the Leader to act,this is where the joke ends. Who would you trust to be steering the ship if their was a drama with Indonesia, if their was social unrest regarding abortion or euthanasia, who would you trust in a crisis regarding manufacturing/schooling or hospitals. Julia is twice the professional that Tony is. She has greater composure and maturity. Tony 'the stooge' Abbott is a headline, a t-shirt that appeals to the haters,the weak,the inept....and the crafty.Ask him for his ideas and you can be sure he'll get back to you as soon as he completes a brainstorming session with those individuals jockeying for position to rule and impose selfish reforms from behind the scenes.

Well the Abbott haters are now eclipsing what the Howard haters did. Well done.
You do not agree with his politics and know he is likely to get in because all Gillard's composure and maturity have resulted in one foul up after another. People have died because of the stupidity of this Government for heavens sake.
You insult Abbott but you crowd were sqealing when a few pensioners were abusing Gillard?
She herself called "Mysoginy" in that dreadful drawl she affects. Gillard is like an over-enthusiastic school prefect bully, IMHO.

While the evalutaion of political situations is perfectly valid, there is no accounting for the retribution of preceeding governments under the realisation that they will inevitable be removed from office due to their obvious incompetence. Slash and burn methodologies have been used since the begining of time - or government. Labor, having realised their own stupidity through human greed, have proceeded to dig Australia a hole that will take generations to climb out of. It doesn't matter who takes over the reigns because the hourse pulling the cart is dead. Using the premise ' see, the next government will do a worse job sorting out the mess' is a favorite tactic. It doesn't matter if Mickey Mouse is PM, the damage is done and there is going to be a world of pain to set things right. This stigma on the Labor party will be etched in the minds of present voters till the day they die.

So can you just clarify something for me, Whatsit2ya.

Do you like Abbott or not? Your post was a little ambiguous. Don't beat around the (g w)bush. Tell us what you really think.

If " historians, students of politics and social researches [sic]" in 200yrs are pondering anything about the current period they'll be wondering how, given the shambles that the Gillard govt is, 30% of the population still voted for them in 2013.

Hopefully they'll also still be calling this the worst government this nation ever had, because, hopefully, we'll never again have one this bad.

Well I hate to be one of those who told you so, but, I told you so, in fact, I warned you that this labor government would set us back years if not decades, with the latter being the case.

Totally incompitent is the best description that comes to mind when I think about these fools.

I only wish enough people could have avoided the brain washing antics they (labor) adopt.

We have all now paid a huge price for their stubbiness, their inability to see a bad government for what it is, until it was too late by years.

You would think they would have learned their lesson last time their beloved labor party left us in a mess.

Thirty plus years of personal taxes, literally flushed down the toilet in less than five years, not to mention the retirement that I thought, as a tax payer, I would be entitled to.

We, all of us, will notice posts and threads like this, until the roof falls on me and Labor mid September.
Well put together and seeming to be thoughtful, but in the end just what they are, attempts to gain votes.
At some point in time, I hope we understand, most have already made up their minds.
And that the kissing baby's and kicking opponents is just window dressing.
We should run from the clean shirts sleeves rolled part way up.
The Gillard smile and references to solidarity with our past.
Our choice, between two lessor leaders, will not be changed by such.
I have a question, for our ring in author,for my fellow Labor voters.
*Do we gain any thing by pretending the dreadful wrongs within our party never took place*.
Are we in a race to pick the less filthy?
Too to my fellow Australians, the ones who are about to install a Liberal Federal Government, is clean honest government worth the effort?
NO! I understand, maybe more than you, how wrong it is, that the faction of the Labor party *born * to harness the madness of the very left,has done more harm than that left ever did.
And every plea to vote any way will change nothing, party,s prepared to miss use its own very foundation needs reform not nice words.
The kissing insults us, thinking we are fools and can be changed by the actors both sides become during elections.

Dear Whatsit2ya,

It is a little disconcerting isn't it.

You get the likes of butcher screaming doom and gloom on this forum and touting the government as the worst ever yet the world looks on with more than a little envy.

Here is a Huffington Post piece from today titled 'Australia Has Now Gone 21 Years Without A Recession'.

Start quote;

Wednesday's data did show an economy again outperforming its rich-world peers.

Australia's annual growth of 3.1 percent compared with 1.6 percent in the United States and 1.1 percent in Canada. The UK eked out growth of just 0.25 percent last quarter, while the EU economy contracted by 0.9 percent.

Output for the 12 months to December was worth A$1.5 trillion in current dollars, or about A$64,700 ($66,200) for each of Australia's 22.8 million people. That compares with per capita GDP in the United States of $50,300.

Australia passed Spain as the world's 12th largest economy last year, not bad for a country that is 52nd on the league table by population.

End quote.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/06/australia-recession_n_2818610.html

The Labour Government has managed this through a world wide global crisis.

I'm afraid the hysteria doesn't match what the world sees.

Dear Whatsit2ya'

Italy: the land that gave the world the likes of Nero, Savonarola, Cesare Borgia, Mussolini, and Berlusconi. Isn't he a bit of a minor player on the stage of the world's most detestable for historians to waste their valuable research talents on?

Only thing knowledgeable people will ever be able to say about Berlusconi is "He is a very wealthy person."

Which is exactly the same thing that anyone could ever say about people like Gina Rinehart and James Packer as well.

Whatsit2ya,
Have you given this fact any thought ? The GW Bushes & J Howards etc. had to deal with the largest percentage of useless leftist morons in the electorate. Far greater a number than any other leaders faced.

....Which is exactly the same thing that anyone could ever say about people like Gina Rinehart and James Packer as well

Nice bit of tall poppy syndrome there Mr Opinion.

I have to wonder if you ever appreciate the jobs they create, and the wealth they bring to the country. I doubt it!, as all you see is their riches.

Of cause, with the type of wealth they inherited, they could have chosen a very luxurious lifestyle, just investing the dollars and sitting on their hands.

Then where would we be,

What is it about the leftist non-sensical, illogical that makes them perpetually fail to see that society could not function at all if it weren't for the fact that effort is provided with reward in mind. The lefties can not think that, they seem to believe that anyone putting in an effort has to share his/her rewards with the no-effort crowd. The no-effort crowd has had it bl00dy good for too long & this gravy train is slowly coming into the station. Many argue that the minerals in the ground belong to all of us. I'd agree with that but when only a few of us put in the effort to dig them up then the bulk of the reward must go to the digger. Those watching from behind the fence are only entitled to what they're given by the good will from those who work. If that slice of the cake is getting smaller then rightly so.

Dear rehctub

Thinking along your lines, the same could be said of the JP Morgans, Carnegies, and Rockerfellers of the US.

I suppose you think Berlusconi is the archetypal great man as well.

I remember John Howard telling people Kerry Packer was a great man. Give us a break!

"Jealousy Is A Curse", or so they say.

That must be what's been afflicting the left, all these years

I'd like to what would happen if the right acted like the left for a while. Who would the lefties blame ? Probably still the right.
If the Coalition does get in this year & starts filling the coffers again. I'll bet the lefties will complain about the coffers not being filled as fast as their idols drained them.
Is stupid an apt description of a leftie or is that too mild ?

csteele, it's quite easy to manage a finacial situation, you just do it labor style, that is, keep borrowing money, that you don't have and spend it on anything that you think may win votes.

Even now, our PM is making promises of about one billion dollars a day, money we don't have, yet, for some reason they can't achieve surplus.

Something doesn't add up, don't ya think!

It's quite depressing to think of where we could be, if not for labor's waste FEST of the past five plus years.

But, there is light at the end of the tunnel, it's called September 14, National throw out the garbage day.

Can't wait, and being a September baby myself, it will be the best birthday present I've had in years.

Dear Hasbeen,

It's you and people like you thinking that money is everything who put it down to jealousy.

People like Gina Rinehart are wealthy and ordinary. Whereas, people like me are not wealthy and extraordinary.

If I had my life over again I would choose exactly the same path to follow again.

My argument is that Tony is a poor alternative and a disaster if difficult issues arise. The best that the liberal lemmings can offer is that everything is ruined and its always someone else's fault. Blame others is a bread and butter liberal tactic to cover up their own inadaquacies. Here we are the envy of the western world and shock jocks are encouraging the ignorant masses to 'think' otherwise. The liberal lemmings can't be re-educated. If your a novice political follower I can forgive your pathetic responses,however if your over the age of 25 and can't put forward an argument that puts Tony 'the stooge' Abott in a positive light,them shame on you. What does he bring to the office of Prime Minister,give all of us ( the electorate) 3 or 4 positive recommendations that give us confidence. Saying that Julia is a liar is a negative,unless you know Tony has never lied. Saying the boats will be turned around is a positive for you if you can prove Tony has the guts to thumb his nose at Indonesia. Removing taxes is an opportunity for you but you need to show how the hospitals and schools will keep up to scratch let alone be improved. My challenge to the liberal lemmings is to GIVE US SOMETHING......

WA election anyone?

Whatsit2ya,
you don't by any chance happen to be someone with a BA & employed by some unaccountable Government Department ?

Whatsit2ya, here's four positives.

1. He's not Julia Gillard
2. HE will be running the party, not the faceless men from behind.
3. He has a party background that has history on it's side, like paying off labor debt, making employing easier, not harder and doesn't waste money we don't have.
4. He realizes that while we may well be the envy of the world, the rest, who we gauge ourselves against, are in REALLY POOR SHAPE, something that makes us look better than we are.

Now I say this because the worlds smartest treasurer has kept our economy running, BY BORROWING MONEY nothing else.

Now while on that subject, history suggests that had we not had a change back in 07, we would have money in the bank, still have strong confidence and be far better off than we are today, while enjoying the benefits of a government, that governs and keeps our borders protected, you know, just like they did before.

History doesn't go away and labor's history in the past 20 odd years is waste, missmanagement and disruption of IR.

While the libs history, during the same period is sensible government, debt repayment and border protection.

Now I have plenty more posetives, but let's see how you respond to these first.

Now as for labor, I now call on you to name JUST THREE posetives they can deliver.

More importantly, if you can name them, then perhaps you can explain why the hell they are waiting till now to implement just three things that work.

You may also wish to consider the dozens of failures they had as well.

Now while your straining your brain, please remember, WE HAVE NO MONEY LEFT thanks to your beloved labor.

My tip.
Labor will get flogged, the libs will find a trigger for a DD election, and we can throw out the senate and start fresh.

Only 187 sleeps to go!

Only 187 sleeps to go!
rehctub,
that is scary as to how much more time they have to keep ruining us.

Whatsit2ya,

For all your invective of TA and praise of Juliar, your view appears to be distinctly in the minority, where in Australia, TA is seen as a prefered PM to the train wreck that is Juliar.

To rehctub,you have completely embarrassed yourself. Your 4 points to promote Tony are completely inept. I'm inclined to feel sorry for you but that would only encourage ignorance. I'm winning this argument with one hand tied behind my back because of the mental deficiency of those in Abbott's corner. Pt1: is that an attempt at humour...? That comment passes judgement on you, its puerile and lame. When Tony does his silly little contrived chuckle from time to time,look at his eyes (they don't lie) you will see a man void of substance.
Pt2: "he will run the party" whilst that's debatable,it's not exactly an endorsement of his capacity to lead.
Pt3: "his party has a history",again debatable and yet again not an endorsement .
Pt:4:" Aust only looks good in comparison", then you proceed with your liberal lemmings rhetoric including the classic blame game rhetoric.
This is an epic fail by you,please don't respond to my comments in future. You are the epitome of the ignorant masses,you regurgitate right wing media with no individual thought.

Sorry, is that Whatsit2ya, some type of code for WHAT A TOSS.

You must realize that the bulk of Aussies are against you, why even the labor laughables are lookimg for answers, but go right ahead and keep dreaming if you think Julia is a better option as PM.

So although you ask that I don't respond to your posts, I think you can at the very least answer my questions, just like I answered yours.

Besides, you shot the first bullet, not me, so you can't now run and hide.

[Deleted for abuse.]

Whatsit2ya,

It only takes the IQ of a potato to act like a poisonous troll. If you post your opinion without any justification, then abuse anyone that disagrees you should be encouraged to move to a kindergarten where your wit may be appreciated.

To this end I have recommended your posts be deleted for abuse, and hopefully I am not exposed to your vulgarity for a long time.

Dear Belly,

I hope you are taking note of what Shadow Minister is saying above here.

That goes for you too Hasbeen.

.........the word hypocrite mean anything to you shadow.Have you no pride,or respect.
You behave like a little girl.

Shadow Minister,,
I must have hit the nail on the head with my question to Whatsit2ya above ?

Whatsit2ya,

Still don't get it do you?

State your opinion, back it up with reasoning or references, and debate on the issues and you can gain the respect you so obviously crave. Abuse is never justified, and saying I behave like a girl only makes me laugh.

Behave like a troll, get treated like a troll.

I hope Belly and Hasbeen are learning something from following what Shadow Minister has to say.

I know the thread is called- no looking back, but how on earth can anyone, labor supporter or other, not look back and wonder what could have been, if they didnt waste our money, didn't make so many stuff ups and didn't open the flood gates to our borders.

I find it hard to understand how ANYONE can fix this in the short to medium term.

I sure hope their supporters have learned their lessons, not just for our sakes, but for the next few generations sakes as well, because without the mining boom, which won't last forever, we simply would be dead in the water.

I would urge all labor die hards to think very carefully, before offering their support, both in this election and many to come, as history shows they are poison.

Diversity is a fundamental part of any society. We don't all agree or appreciate the habits and characteristics of our fellow citizens but its important we show them respect.
Take Shadow Minister and his 'chums' rechtub (butcher....lol) and Mr.Opinion. I imagine they had a gay ol' time together in Sydney,indulging in the Easter festivities and good luck to them,just because parades don't interest me doesn't mean I should denigrate what gives them pleasure. It's cute to see these 3 boy friends sticking together to oppose my argument that Abbott would be a poor alternative as Prime Minister. They fail to put forward any positives,preferring instead to regurgitate liberal rhetoric like the good little lemmings they are.

W,

You got me there I'm a lesbian Jewish aborigine. In fact I can be any minority you despise (even Labor).

We have got that you think Juliar is wonderful, and Abbott horrible, but until you can move past year 6 and provide more than your prepubescent opinion, you don't deserve more than our contempt.

Perhaps you can find a more suitable blog that caters for vacuous taunting and trolling.

.....Diversity is a fundamental part of any society. We don't all agree or appreciate the habits and characteristics of our fellow citizens but its important we show them respect.

What the.......To rehctub,you have completely embarrassed yourself. Your 4 points to promote Tony are completely inept. I'm inclined to feel sorry for you but that would only encourage ignorance. I'm winning this argument with one hand tied behind my back because of the mental deficiency of those in Abbott's corner.
...............
This is an epic fail by you,please don't respond to my comments in future. You are the epitome of the ignorant masses,you regurgitate right wing media with no individual thought.
Posted by Whatsit2ya, Monday, 11 March 2013 11:37:24 AM

Is this your idea of respecting others is it. Yeh right!

Perhaps you should think about what you post before you post it.

So I suppose the next thing you're going to say is how bad Howard was.

Well, it looks like he/she got the message hey!

What the...where's he gone!

"My eighteen years in Parliament - in Opposition
and in Government - have confirmed me in the
conviction, formed in my youth, that politics, for
all its rough edges, is a civilised and civilising
calling. Despite all the obloquy shovelled on the
head of politicians, they are men and women who
work the machinery of our democratic way of life.
They reflect public opinion - and at their best
lead public opinion - and transmute it into laws that
shape our society and our country... we can find the
solutions that suit us, provided we do not succumb to
the siren calls of our demagogues, charlatans and
ideologues. "

(Taken from Peter Costello, "The Costello Memoirs.")

I also believe firmly that we now have opportunities
that we've never had before in Australia's history.
The best years for our country are still in front of
us.
Tough times demand creative solutions. An investment
to make Australia more productive and more
competitive - by increasing our capacity to find new
ways of doing business is the key to building a
modern economy based on advanced skills and technologies.

We've endured a political debate mired in the personal,
the trivial, and so often, the downright nasty.
Yet beyond the grounds of Parliament House the desire is
for a debate about real issues and real plans.

We can only hope that we'll get this debate
prior to the election
so that voters can make informed choices.