Politics Super Thread - keep it all in here

[stryker]

We are really going to miss you Glen….please reconsider...

 

[happy_tiger]

And why do you think that is the case?

Could it be due to prominant journos being threatened and sacked due to their digging on this AWU rort that Gillard seems to be up to her nostrils in?
Could the same be reasoned with similar scenarios involving the HSU?
Could it be due to Labor's failed management of policy?
Could it be due to Labor's 180 degree spins regarding what they stand for in their continued attempts to cling to power by cow towelling to the Greens every whim?
Could it be due to Gillards repeated lies (which she is called out on almost weekly)?
Could it be because the party is dominated and run by greedy yet ineffective unions?

Labor are a joke. They are a party consisting of crooks, union officials (bigger crooks), idealists and completely deluded liars. Record spending, record debt, record boat arrivals…unfinished projects all over the country. As soon as they are kicked out, I would like to see a financial audit on what the hell they have spent all our money on.

I also want to know why this country has become such a pussy PC orientated system of blame. I want my country back...the one I served for ...not this corrupt current one lead by this husk of a leadership group who are nothing more than an utterly rotten, incompetent, deceitful, minority, socialist government.

The only thing that worries me about Australia's future is that Labor will be so thoroughly demolished at the next elections that it will take at least a decade for them to recover....which will mean Liberals will regain absolute power which could lead to a significant drop in democracy as there will not be an effective opposition. We need a complete clean out of the Labor ranks. We need new blood who have worked for a living and think of politics as a way to contribute to the growth of this land...not just a right of passage.

Don't worry Stryker If they keep Gillard until the next election I see a defeat coming close to the Qld proportions

But they won't do that They will have a replacement before then

The faceless men of the Labour Party are already lining up "The Ides Of March is coming "

 

[Yossarian]

Faceless men? Who are these faceless men? One of the so called faceless men has his picture plastered in the Telegraph each Sunday… Move on Happy, it's not the 1960s anymore...

 

[madunit]

Faceless men is a cliche, not a literal term.

Because of Labor's dumb actions and Liberals typical fear campaigning, the public now associates 'the faceless men' as being behind Rudd's knifing.

And whether Rudd needed to go or not, the Australian people will never forgive Gillard for that treachery.

And so, Abbott will continue parroting on about 'faceless men' because it keeps the negative image on Labor (not like they need help to do that anyway) which in turn is the only way Abbott can get 'popular'.

Abbott is widely diskliked by the public, as is Gillard. He only appears more popular in a way because he runs a good campaign of essentially, making Gillard look worse than him.

To be honest, the political parties today, Labor, Liberal and Greens most notably, are filled from top to bottom with dare I say, most of the worst politicians in Australia's history.

Libs should be miles ahead on the polls and their leader should be miles ahead as preferred PM.

But they aren't. They are proving that they are essentially, a woeful politicial party but a smidge less woeful than Labor.

[This word has been automatically removed]ing dire the whole situation. Don't get me started on the Greens!

 

[happy_tiger]

Faceless men? Who are these faceless men? One of the so called faceless men has his picture plastered in the Telegraph each Sunday… Move on Happy, it's not the 1960s anymore...

The faceless people then Yoss . Happy that Happy is being politically correct now ??

The faceless men and women will be the ones that with one hand will be patting Julia on the back saying what a wonderful job she is doing and with the other hand will be sharpening their knives for oncoming coup

The same ones that wiped Rudd off the map to start with

Their is no way that your bunch of merry men and merry woman will be able go into the next election with Julia at the helm

Don't worry Yoss , because at that exact same stage we will have to change our leader as well

 

[Yossarian]

Sorry Happy, you misunderstood what I was getting at. It's more the ongoing use of the term "faceless men/women/people". Originally it referred to the infamous event where Whitlam and I think Calwell were shown waiting outside while the ALP federal executive debated the party's position. Doesn't happen anymore. The term is anachronistic and inaccurate. In any case, the so-called faceless men included a Senator and, as I mentioned, someone who's in the paper or on the TV every few seconds.

I agree re Rudd being replaced by Gillard. Didn't like it then, don't like it now. The moves against him though were more reflective of the low base of support he had. Too many people in the government didn't want him as leader. If the same standards were applied to Gillard she'd be long gone.

Probably the best thing for the ALP is to lose in 2013\. Abbott is going to have to develop some actual policy at some point though and given what he's produced so far has been dreadful, the election may be closer than a lot of people think. Here's a man rabbiting on about big new taxes and yet he proposes to raise business tax universally. What effect does he think that will have on CPI? If Turnbull was still leader we probably wouldn't even be having this conversation and the Libs would have the tape measures out now ready to move their offices.

 

[happy_tiger]

Faceless men is a cliche, not a literal term.

Because of Labor's dumb actions and Liberals typical fear campaigning, the public now associates 'the faceless men' as being behind Rudd's knifing.

And whether Rudd needed to go or not, the Australian people will never forgive Gillard for that treachery.

And so, Abbott will continue parroting on about 'faceless men' because it keeps the negative image on Labor (not like they need help to do that anyway) which in turn is the only way Abbott can get 'popular'.

Abbott is widely diskliked by the public, as is Gillard. He only appears more popular in a way because he runs a good campaign of essentially, making Gillard look worse than him.

To be honest, the political parties today, Labor, Liberal and Greens most notably, are filled from top to bottom with dare I say, most of the worst politicians in Australia's history.

Libs should be miles ahead on the polls and their leader should be miles ahead as preferred PM.

But they aren't. They are proving that they are essentially, a woeful politicial party but a smidge less woeful than Labor.

[automatically edited] dire the whole situation. Don't get me started on the Greens!

Yeah i agree with most of what your saying MU You say we are filled with top to bottom with the worst politicians At the top in particular I agree The ones that will make good politicians have it beaten out of them with party rhetoric and all the junk that goes with it

And the people that could turn our political system around can earn far more in the private workforce without all the crap that goes with it

 

[happy_tiger]

Sorry Happy, you misunderstood what I was getting at. It's more the ongoing use of the term "faceless men/women/people". Originally it referred to the infamous event where Whitlam and I think Calwell were shown waiting outside while the ALP federal executive debated the party's position. Doesn't happen anymore. The term is anachronistic and inaccurate. In any case, the so-called faceless men included a Senator and, as I mentioned, someone who's in the paper or on the TV every few seconds.

I agree re Rudd being replaced by Gillard. Didn't like it then, don't like it now. The moves against him though were more reflective of the low base of support he had. Too many people in the government didn't want him as leader. If the same standards were applied to Gillard she'd be long gone.

Probably the best thing for the ALP is to lose in 2013\. Abbott is going to have to develop some actual policy at some point though and given what he's produced so far has been dreadful, the election may be closer than a lot of people think. Here's a man rabbiting on about big new taxes and yet he proposes to raise business tax universally. What effect does he think that will have on CPI? If Turnbull was still leader we probably wouldn't even be having this conversation and the Libs would have the tape measures out now ready to move their offices.

Yoss do you see Gillard going down to party revolt before the next election ??

And then do you see Abbott going the same way shortly after ??

I won't be in the least surprised in the least to see Rudd and Turnbull facing off at the next election personally

 

[Yossarian]

Rudd won't take on the leadership if it is a lost cause. He's younger than when Howard became leader for the last time so he might as well wait until post-election. He'll just wait for the right time.

Don't see Abbott getting rolled at this stage given his polling numbers. I also doubt Turnbull has anywhere near the numbers to make a challenge.

 

[madunit]

Rudd will be brought back to be Labor leader after next election.

Abbott will win in a landslide and then lose in a typically closer election after that.

I would however love to see Mal Brough back in the Liberal party. Abbott won't allow it to happen because Brough is a not just a genuine threat to Abbott, but because Abbott knows Brough is a million times better than him. If there were to be an internal vote within the libs, they'd choose Brough over Abbott in a heartbeat.

 

[happy_tiger]

Rudd will be brought back to be Labor leader after next election.

Abbott will win in a landslide and then lose in a typically closer election after that.

I would however love to see Mal Brough back in the Liberal party. Abbott won't allow it to happen because Brough is a not just a genuine threat to Abbott, but because Abbott knows Brough is a million times better than him. If there were to be an internal vote within the libs, they'd choose Brough over Abbott in a heartbeat.

Totally agree MU Big fan of Mal Brough and has youth on his side as well

Seems genuine as well which I can't say about a lot of politicians

 

[stryker]

Well Labor have finally come to their senses on border control and look to take on the recommendations stating the reopening of the off shore processing centers. Their stubborness on this issue has been embarrassing and has cost us hundreds of millions of dollars and cost many lives. Should be an interesting day in parliament today.

 

[Winnipeg]

It's pretty interesting, it could be seen as a massive backflip, or simply an effort from Gillard to neutralise an issue that's been a pretty big thorn in her side.
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what happens now if the boats don't stop?

 

[dermo]

It's pretty interesting, it could be seen as a massive backflip, or simply an effort from Gillard to neutralise an issue that's been a pretty big thorn in her side.
\
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what happens now if the boats don't stop?

I think its a fairly smart move by her, its a win win situation any many ways. If it fails she can blame the coalition who fought so hard for it and if its successful she can claim the glory

 

[stryker]

To me it showcases her and her parties complete lack of leadership.

This will slow them down, but we still have to get rid of the perception that this country is a soft target. The boat people who are illegally entering our country are given more than some Australian citizens are. That is wrong and must be changed.

 

[dermo]

To me it showcases her and her parties complete lack of leadership.

This will slow them down, but we still have to get rid of the perception that this country is a soft target. The boat people who are illegally entering our country are given more than some Australian citizens are. That is wrong and must be changed.

Well it depends how you look at it really, im not saying a disagree with you but there are 2 sides to it. Why should the Australian citizen who was born in a country full of opportunities but failed to take advantage of them be given more than, say someone from a war-torn country who never had anything?

Im more inclined to think that the Australian government is here to serve Australian citizens not refugees but don't be so quick to begrudge people of opportunity

 

[cktiger]

The boats will stop because people won't want to get stuck for years on some crappy island with no guarantee of getting in to Australia.
Next thing is to finally crack down on all the illegal overstayers - and there are tons of them.
Clean them out and there'll be plenty more room for deserving refugees.
P.S. My simple solution to stop people smugglers sending boats would have been to tell the Indonesian government that we turn off the $578.4 million in aid immediately a boat leaves their shores.
Would have fixed it just in a flash.

 

[stryker]

I am not talking about the dole bludging bums who sit around in their garbage dump rentals, drinking and smoking drugs all day whilst pumping out another rug rat every 12 months. I meant the hundred thousand plus Aussies who sleep rough every night due to bad luck, mental health problems etc….they deserve to be helped as well.

I also don't begrudge those from over seas who genuinely need a hand we are in a position to help and should do so. However if you sneak into this place you will now be locked up outside of this nation and may well never set foot in here. This I like.

 

[Winnipeg]

To me it showcases her and her parties complete lack of leadership.

This will slow them down, but we still have to get rid of the perception that this country is a soft target. The boat people who are illegally entering our country are given more than some Australian citizens are. That is wrong and must be changed.

It's not illegal to seek asylum in whichever country you choose

also asylum seekers receive assistance while their claim is being processed, if they are deemed refugees and given residency they are entitled to the same centrelink benefits as any other citizen

but i don't really want to argue about this at all, it's not an issue I care about too much. The only refugees I've ever met have been Vietnamese people who've come here, set up businesses, raised families, their kids are gainfully employed as bankers, salesmen, they all pay tax and are law abiding.

If Australia has been swamped by hoards of refugees in the past decade then they're all hiding somewhere well away from me

 

[cktiger]

To me it showcases her and her parties complete lack of leadership.

This will slow them down, but we still have to get rid of the perception that this country is a soft target. The boat people who are illegally entering our country are given more than some Australian citizens are. That is wrong and must be changed.

It's not illegal to seek asylum in whichever country you choose

also asylum seekers receive assistance while their claim is being processed, if they are deemed refugees and given residency they are entitled to the same centrelink benefits as any other citizen

but i don't really want to argue about this at all, it's not an issue I care about too much. The only refugees I've ever met have been Vietnamese people who've come here, set up businesses, raised families, their kids are gainfully employed as bankers, salesmen, they all pay tax and are law abiding.

**If Australia has been swamped by hoards of refugees in the past decade then they're all hiding somewhere well away from me**

Don't know where you live Winnipeg but there are hordes where I live- and they don't need to hide.