...I.have to vote for the party that I feel will
not cut things that my family needs. I don't
earn a six figure salary.

Lexi, this is the type of thinking that got us into this mess in the first place, IT'S ALL ABOUT ME.

You see, I think differently to you, in that my concerns lie for what's best for the nation as a whole. It is for this reason that I am not tied to one party, however, having owned a small business through the birth and rebirth of UN fair dismissal laws, I will never vote for labor unless they make the employer/employee playing field even.

BTW for the record, I was a true believer and loyal Bob supporter.

Now back to your me-isum, this government is without doubt the most incompitent mob in political history.

They have resided over, or instigated continual policy failures that have not only damaged you and I, but damaged future generations to follow, a mess that will take a lot of pain if we ever expect to give future gen a lifestyle and outlook that even closely resembles what you and I have enjoyed.

David F, you have to remember the circumstances that led to the 2010 election.

First we had the most popular labor PM since Bob, knifed in the back, by the current PM and her factions, PROMISING that she would do a far better job, and let's face it, the failed trophies on the wall from Rudd, suggested that wouldn't be hard.

So, off she went, for a short while, then advised that all would be fine, as the REAL JULIA was about to emerge.

Then came the election.

One of the key points to winning any election is winning the trust and support of THE PEOPLE.

The people handed down a vote of no confidence, but she didn't respect, or accept that and some two plus years and billions of waste latter, she has not only buried herself, but taken labor with her.

A huge price to pay for ones ambition and self pride, don't you think?

Dear rehctub,

We're all well aware of your reasons for not
voting for Labor. And it is all about YOU.
If you were thinking about the nation you
would be prepared to look at the bigger picture.
You're not. The Labor Party came into power
during the last election with the support of
the Independents and the Greens. Tony Abbott
was prepared to do whatever it took to win their
support - but he didn't succeed. What's going to
happen at this next election - we'll have to wait
and see.

You are entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine.
Ultimately the voters will decide who they want
in governing this nation. Take a look at the states
who voted Liberal in their state elections - and
see how well they're doing currently. Perhaps that
might give you some food for thought.

Lexi a fine post congrats on it.
No need to step around it, Labor until it dumped Rudd was by far the best out of this mob.
I get no joy in understanding we are gone.
But name a Social welfare achievement, a National conservation one , that equals Labors saving the Franklin river and making Kacado our proud national park.
See the NDIS scheme and the Gonsky report out comes.
We said sorry, re read the feeble insulting reply of the then leader of the Liberals.
See the truth, as history will, of our signature appearing on the
Kyoto agreement A GREAT THING.
Remember the opening up of Australian banks and our nation to world trade.
As in the 1970,s we have much to be proud of.
BUT TOO we must understand it is us, more than we like to admit, who take our party in to free fall, then opposition.
We must confront, pain and all, our very best continue to call for change.
Standing right in front of that change, SMIRK firmly on their face, is the curent owners of power they must give up.
We can not, under party rules, out vote them, so they must act for the party.
An unlikely event!
See too the dreadful way super tax was left to burn and bring abuse, then the end product shown as brilliant!
We fail,to sell our self.

Dear Belly,

Labor needs to hold the Coalition to account
prior to the next election. They also need
to let voters know of their achievements
to date to counter-the negativity of the tabloid
press which has such a big influence on voters
and polls.

....Rechtub, I am not trying to provoke you, but without reserve saying what I think.
*The subject is beyond your understanding*

What's to understand about it Belly, Rudds labor were on the nose and heading south big time, as they had stuffed up the school halls program, insulation, which cost lives, Copenhagen and opened our borders. That's why he wasn't game, regardless of what you may think.

...Kyoto agreement A GREAT THING.
Kyoto you say, yep, that's where Rudd STOLE LAND from farmers just so he could be a stand out at Copenhagen. Fat lot of good that did him, but he still stole the land.

BTW, these same farmers have to pay rates on this land, but can't use it.

Lexi, the support by the ind and greens turned out to be a bitter sweet arrangement, as despite the hurt they have caused, we are unlikely to see much from the for quite a while.

And while you may say it's all about me, it's quite simple, if an employee can up and leave, simply because of a better offer, why can't an employer have the same rights?

Dear rehctub,

You ask:

Why can't an employer have the same rights as an employee?

Because business does not have the right to get
whatever it wants to the detriment of working people.

We are in critical times and Australia requires a
reassessment of the relationship between labour
and capital, a re-assessment which takes into account
the politics of industrial democracy, profit, and
long term planning. What we don't need is the
"kick-the-worker-today-and-take-the-money-tomorrow,"
attitude. The only way in which the country can work
properly is for management and labour to co-operate
with one another, not condemn one another.

But the sad truth is that condemnation is the only
language that some employers appear to understand.
Take this quote from Charles Copeman (ex -Peko-Wallsend boss)
"It isn't a matter for conciliation, it's a matter
for arbitration. We are not prepared to conciliate!"

Obviously the inevitable expansion of capital with its
attendant social inequality and natural destruction
brooks no interference and allows no moral judgements.