The future of the Australian Labor Party

[Treks]

I would definately vote, and with much more enthusiasm, because it would eliminate the '1 in the top/left of the ballet papers' effect. It would really mean your vote is worth something. It would mean, by and large, only those people with an actual knowledge (however skewed it may be, my own included!) and interest would cast a vote. It would all be much more interesting.

For all my previous tongue-in-cheek comments I do take politics reasonably seriously, but it's irritating how screwy the system is.

Don't get me started on the GST, arbitrarily charging it on some items and not others - just tax them all and get it over with!

 

[Treks]

Lewisnotmiller, what in your opinion is more ideal than democracy? I don't know much about these things. Thanks.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Lewisnotmiller, what in your opinion is more ideal than democracy? I don't know much about these things. Thanks.

Welp, that's the problem. Democracy has flaws, but all systems do. A politically aware populace might help though.

Otherwise, let's go benevolent dictatorship and l'll make sure things run right.

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

So back to a question I asked earlier ... how many people would vote here if it were not compulsory ?

I would still vote, i feel it gets me more involved in having a choice in how the country would be governed.

Id rather have the voting system not compulsory, i think the lazy folks would not vote and only those that are concerned about government would get voting.

 

[dgirl1986]

I'll give you one guess, the carbon tax, oh yea that was really stupid.

...anything else

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

The biggest flaw with the ALP has to be the instability and infighting within the party itself.

Going into the last election, Australian voters had the choice - to vote for a party that was literally falling to pieces, or to vote for one without any real platform whatsoever - tough choice there. =/

I didn't like either Abbott nor Rudd, but I voted for Abbott, just to give the opposition a time in Government for a while, just to see if they could do a better job of it than the ALP did for the very long time they were in. I think many Aussies just did the same thing.

I am regretting that now, with Liberal Welfare reforms, raising the GST (I would have much preferred the Carbon Tax to stay) and Abbotts stance on Immigration. I agree with turning back the boats, but buying every dilapidated fishing boat in Indonesia? I want whatever Tony is smoking there!

I am laughing that Mr Abbott and co has to wait for a year to pass any legislation through the Senate, because the Greenies are definitely not his friend! - he must wait until Mr Palmer and the Motorist Club gets in there (which is going to be a real hoot).

I don't like Anthony Albanese nor Bill Shorten, but out of the two, I prefer the former to represent the ALP at the next election. I would actually have liked to see Tanya Plibersek put her hand up, but after what happened with Julia Gillard, I think Labor are shying away from female leaders for a while. lol

Having said that, It was rather disappointing to see only one woman in Abbott's cabinet after the election. It was pointed out that Muslim countries have more women in cabinet.

If the ALP can manage to put the past behind them and move on, they will have a future. If not, the Coalition is going to be in Government for a very long time!

I totally disagree with Rudd's decision to remain on the back benches. After what happened, the whole Party needs a fresh, new start and having that old ghost sitting back there, reminding the party of all the 'bad days' isn't really good for party image or helping them move forward from all this mess.

They need fresh, new faces and a whole new approach to win back the support of the Australian public.

It's nice to have a forum where I get to discuss both politics and religion! This place is totally cool.

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

With news just in of Chris Williamson defrauding the Unions and the ALP, fined $5 million and 30 years in jail and the further destabilisation of the ALP with more members resigning and animosity towards Rudd in the back benches with Chris Brown etc...the only thing now that can save the ALP would be the total de-registration , collapse and then restructure/rebuilding of the ALP.

 

[apophenia]

With news just in of Chris Williamson defrauding the Unions and the ALP, fined $5 million and 30 years in jail and the further destabilisation of the ALP with more members resigning and animosity towards Rudd in the back benches with Chris Brown etc...the only thing now that can save the ALP would be the total de-registration , collapse and then restructure/rebuilding of the ALP.

You forget the most important feature of the electorate, which Peter Garrett made famous in song ... "Short Memory".

Babies overboard, the Iraq war, Work Choices ... short memory.

That, and the fact that basically you can choose Brand A or Brand B ( like in most modern democracies), mean that Labor will be right back in the running after we see a few years of anti-socialism and prostrating to the Pentagon.

It's a rock and a hard place, and we just let them take turns - because, what other choice is there ? The Motoring Enthusiasts Party ?

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

You forget the most important feature of the electorate, which Peter Garrett made famous in song ... "Short Memory".

Babies overboard, the Iraq war, Work Choices ... short memory.

That, and the fact that basically you can choose Brand A or Brand B ( like in most modern democracies), mean that Labor will be right back in the running after we see a few years of anti-socialism and prostrating to the Pentagon.

It's a rock and a hard place, and we just let them take turns - because, what other choice is there ? The Motoring Enthusiasts Party ?

It could be worse....like Palmer's United Party.

Seriously though, even Peter Garrett 'jumped ship' when it was sinking. I think he has alzheimer's by now...no memory...

*loves Midnight Oil anyway*

The blow will come when The Pentagon realises its global debt this time tomorrow...

If China can't/won't bail them out, it's going to be 'each country for itself' as the USA loses financial credibility in the eyes of the world.

The 'Jaws of Death' in global financial trends haven't looked this bad since 1987.....

We will see what Mr. Abbott makes of that...then we can judge...then...