World Politics

[movingtarget]

Nova for politics - and Trish isn't happy

PM nominates athlete Nova Peris to be the number 1 senate candidate, pushing Trish Crossin out. Seems that the rationale is that she is an Aboriginal.

And in that Northern Territory seat she will be popular. Gillard is number crunching before the election.

 

[auscyclefan94]

And in that Northern Territory seat she will be popular. Gillard is number crunching before the election.

You think? The press in NT has been strongly negative for the way Crossin was kicked out and Peris simply placed in. Personally, I think that the Darwin seat of Solomon will remain as a Liberal seat and the regional seat of Lingiari will also go to the Coalition. The senate seats will always be split 1 CLP, 1 ALP.

 

[hoerpi]

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-happiest-countries-233204795.html

The World's Happiest Countries:

1. Norway
2. Denmark
3. Sweden
4. Australia
5. New Zealand
6. Canada
7. Finland
8. The Netherlands
9. Switzerland
10. Ireland

surely it’s much more than about our geog-location, but, curiously the vikings in particular are a happy lot just as the peoples of nordic background in general.

why is that ? Wait, I know…we like our booze and don't feel too guilty about it

perfect description of our happiness!

 

[movingtarget]

You think? The press in NT has been strongly negative for the way Crossin was kicked out and Peris simply placed in. Personally, I think that the Darwin seat of Solomon will remain as a Liberal seat and the regional seat of Lingiari will also go to the Coalition. The senate seats will always be split 1 CLP, 1 ALP.

It's quite funny actually. Gillard continues to alienate members of her own party with her behaviour and the woman she is dumping is in charge of some committee to promote women and push for more opportunities for females. Something Gillard supposedly supports. Interesting that one of the most outspoken critics of the decision is Aboriginal herself.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-happiest-countries-233204795.html

The World's Happiest Countries:

1. Norway
2. Denmark
3. Sweden
4. Australia
5. New Zealand
6. Canada
7. Finland
8. The Netherlands
9. Switzerland
10. Ireland

surely it’s much more than about our geog-location, but, curiously the vikings in particular are a happy lot just as the peoples of nordic background in general.

why is that ? Wait, I know…we like our booze and don't feel too guilty about it

Only problem is: the ranking is not about happiness at all.
"The inputs for the index are both objective and subjective. It's not enough to just look at per capita GDP or unemployment rates. It also matters how hard people think it is to find jobs, or how convinced they are that hard work can bring success."

 

[auscyclefan94]

A sign of things to come?

I think that our political campaign this coming year in Australia will become a lot more similar to the American presidential campaign. We have the rally with the leader speaking without his blazer, stalled seating surrounding Abbott, American style placards with slogans and Tony's wife starting the applause. Also to note is the off-the-cuff speaking which is not overly common in election campaigns unless it is a press conference.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Long live King Willy IV.

 

[Echoes]

There are soooo many parties around the world who would regard themselves, reasonably as well, as being free market yet conservative.

Oh yeah and of course they are conservative since they tell me so.

Their conservativeness are only talk. If they advocate free-market they are of necessity progressive, hence left-wing.

Kit Lasch already noticed (in The True and Only Heaven) that Reagan's 'traditional values' had nothing to do with 'tradition'.

Errr, APEC is just an organisation that advocates free trade.

So does the EU.

Again, bailouts are not laissez faire policy. Keynesian style economics is simply not laissez faire either.

And again, Article 63 of the TFEU proves that the EU is a free-market zone. Almost the only one in the world.

Stating that free trade under Article 63 is the reason behind the sinking of Europe is nonsensical. You really need to clarify that statement.

Because from Maastricht on, anyone could move capital to abroad, more particularly Communist China, where labour is cheaper, while you previously needed the consent of the state (whether right-wing or left-wing government).

So you are a right-winger, you support sovereignty and yet you support the EU? Right...

Wrong. I hate the EU, ever since I am politically aware (time of the French & Dutch referendums 2005).

Do socialists and communists support free trade? Of course not.

Marxism and socialism is not left. Marx & Engels never considered themselves left-wingers (and not right-wingers either, of course).

Left and right is just risticrats (right) and merchants (left) battling out for the levers of command. Socialists only cares for the Caryatid (workers, proletariat)

Even more centre left parties are those who want protectionism and want limited free trade.

"Centre" left, which means left want free-trade. At one point, you had the World Bank and the IMF presided by two French left-wingers, Lamy and DSK (labeled as socialists, but not socialist of course, LEFT !)

You need to go back to the basic definitions of right wing and left wing.

You need to !

Right wing supports supports social hierarchy and that levels of social and economic inequality are natural.

Which does not mean support free-market.

Left wing supports eliminating as much as possible the social inequality and social hierarchy in our society.

Eliminating state authority, boundaries and advocate for more freedom, whether culturally or economically, thank you. Go back to the roots.

Some of your sentences about how 'right wingers support interventionist policy' and 'welfare state' is beyond baffling. Going on your own definition, how can right wingers support small government with maximum efficiency yet support Keynesian, protectionist and welfare state policies? Welfare is suppose to eliminate social inequality (i.e. it is more linked to the left).

Keynes was a crook and has nothing to do with welfare state. Welfare has nothing to do with social inequality and certainly not linked to left. De Gaulle and Bismarck were die-hard right-wingers and created welfare state in their respective countries.

Having access to public healthcare does not mean, there's no more social hierarchy. It's just solidarity ...

What makes you a conservative? What are your views on abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage and other social issues?

I am of course against all of these. So, am I not conservative? A free-market advocate would usually advocate all of these, if he's consistent.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Echoes, you have completely contradicted all the definitions of what is left wing, socialism, amongst many other concepts. I have already explained it to you. If you can not understand a simple definition, then I give up trying to communicate these facts to you.

 

[RetroActive]

You may enjoy hearing from your fellow Aussie, Max Igan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHzy6jIvoyA&list=UUaYX7xGgPvltLQBFBc6eUZw&index=4

 

[Alphabet]

What? APEC and the EU are nothing alike! APEC is just a group of countries that meet every few years to promote free trade, look good in the media and boost the APEC leaders popularity ratings in the polls back home. It achieves literally nothing, it's just a chance for the leaders of the member countries to meet up in the tropics somewhere in Asia, and have a good time while pretending they're working.

The EU on the other hand is a political AND economic group of countries, that share foreign policy as well as currency and monetary policy. The EU is virtually a country in it's own right, a powerful political entity.

As for this whole right-left business, I agree with ACF and I think your argument isn't correct.

 

[Ferminal]

Is "naturally caused economic inequality" = market failure, or am I missing something?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Australia will be going to the polls on September the 14th. YES YES YES!!!!

 

[blaxland]

Australia will be going to the polls on September the 14th. YES YES YES!!!!

Yes im also a bit excited to get the chance to remove this sh%%y Government,but im concerned that most people in this part of the world are mere sheeple,s and will only vote them back in"my fingers are crossed that im wrong.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Yes im also a bit excited to get the chance to remove this sh%%y Government,but im concerned that most people in this part of the world are mere sheeple,s and will only vote them back in"my fingers are crossed that im wrong.

I doubt they would vote them back in. Where are the Labor Party going to gain seats? The independents being Windsor and Oakeshott are deeply unpopular in their electorates, Craig Thompson's seat is a goner, Slipper's seat is a goner and then wait for the onslaught in the rest of the country, especially in Western Sydney and Tasmania. It will be a BLOODBATH.

 

[Alphabet]

My first ever federal vote.

It's going to have to be a donkey, I'm afraid. Neither party really convinces me. I voted independent in the 2012 state/council election, I might have to do that again.

 

[blaxland]

I doubt they would vote them back in. Where are the Labor Party going to gain seats? The independents being Windsor and Oakeshott are deeply unpopular in their electorates, Craig Thompson's seat is a goner, Slipper's seat is a goner and then wait for the onslaught in the rest of the country, especially in Western Sydney and Tasmania. It will be a BLOODBATH.

Agreed and actually live in western sydney,but talking to people about politics and their alliance,s is a touchy issue and every since the Masogenist card was played i have had this sick in the stomach feeling.Just really worried what direction this country is heading,and what future/freedom my children will have?

 

[Alphabet]

I doubt they would vote them back in. Where are the Labor Party going to gain seats? The independents being Windsor and Oakeshott are deeply unpopular in their electorates, Craig Thompson's seat is a goner, Slipper's seat is a goner and then wait for the onslaught in the rest of the country, especially in Western Sydney and Tasmania. It will be a BLOODBATH.

I live in Western Sydney. I can't speak for all the residents of west Sydney, but the federal electorate I live in (Hughes) has been a safeish Liberal seat for as long as I can remember. Surrounding seats are usually Labour-leaning I think (Werriwa for example has been Labour since the 50s at least), but this whole carbon tax business has probably changed all that. But then again, it takes a lot to change the mindset of an electorate who've voted labour for decades.

 

[auscyclefan94]

My first ever federal vote.

It's going to have to be a donkey, I'm afraid. Neither party really convinces me. I voted independent in the 2012 state/council election, I might have to do that again.

At least vote for someone, making sure that you know their views. I really dislike people who do donkey votes for reasons I have explained before. Of course, I will be voting for the Liberal Party, although my seat is on a margin between the 5 and 10% range for Labor, meaning it is going to need a decent swing for it to go the Libs. In saying that, my seat also has a manufacturing, working class base to it so it could swing to the Libs with the cost of living issues. This will be my third vote.

Agreed and actually live in western sydney,but talking to people about politics and their alliance,s is a touchy issue and every since the Masogenist card was played i have had this sick in the stomach feeling.Just really worried what direction this country is heading,and what future/freedom my children will have?

Knowing some pollsters and hearing the news from the ALP, polls are predicting a bloodbath for the ALP in that area. ALP's only hope is that QLD continues to be angry at Newman, but with the worst of Newman's austerity measures now over, the worst phase for the LNP is now gone imo.

I live in Western Sydney. I can't speak for all the residents of west Sydney, but the federal electorate I live in (Hughes) has been a safeish Liberal seat for as long as I can remember. Surrounding seats are usually Labour-leaning I think (Werriwa for example has been Labour since the 50s at least), but this whole carbon tax business has probably changed all that. But then again, it takes a lot to change the mindset of an electorate who've voted labour for decades.

Obviously you would know the vibe better than myself, but even the ALP are very fearful about the result in western Sydney. What is happening with Eddie Obeid and ICAC will also screw the ALP over big time.

 

[Ferminal]

Agreed and actually live in western sydney,but talking to people about politics and their alliance,s is a touchy issue and every since the Masogenist card was played i have had this sick in the stomach feeling.Just really worried what direction this country is heading,and what future/freedom my children will have?

No future, no freedoms, not under the communists.

 

[Alphabet]

At least vote for someone, making sure that you know their views. I really dislike people who do donkey votes for reasons I have explained before. Of course, I will be voting for the Liberal Party, although my seat is on a margin between the 5 and 10% range for Labor, meaning it is going to need a decent swing for it to go the Libs. In saying that, my seat also has a manufacturing, working class base to it so it could swing to the Libs with the cost of living issues. This will be my third vote.

Your 3rd vote? You turned 18 in 2007? I thought you were around my age

By donkey vote, I meant a vote for some random independent. I quite liked our former Liberal MP, Dana Vale. I'm not too sure about the new guy. The main issue for our electorate is a proposed truck intermodal facility right in the middle of a suburban area. There's already loads of trucks that use our roads (since an arterial road connecting the south coast of NSW/Sydney and the western suburbs go right through here, and the Hume Highway which connects Canberra and Sydney as well) and it's a real nuisance. If I remember right, that first became an issue at the last federal election, and the new Liberal MP promised he'd do something about it. But there's been no news about that and while there's no intermodal facility yet, there are still growing amounts of trucks using our roads. So yeah, while I'm loath to give Labor (or their puppets the Greens) a vote courtesy of Gillard, I'm not entirely convinced by our Liberal MP. Also, being a leftist, I don't really like to vote for conservatives unless the 'leftist' party are no good.

But at the end of the year, I'll be moving to a nearby suburb which falls under another electorate, so I'm not too sure what value my vote will be here. I'll essentially be voting for 2-3 months worth of representation rather than the full four years. On the balance of things, I'm really not too sure who I'll be voting for.

The vote for the Senate will be more interesting, although I know virtually no Senators except Nick Xenophon.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Your 3rd vote? You turned 18 in 2007? I thought you were around my age

By donkey vote, I meant a vote for some random independent. I quite liked our former Liberal MP, Dana Vale. I'm not too sure about the new guy. The main issue for our electorate is a proposed truck intermodal facility right in the middle of a suburban area. There's already loads of trucks that use our roads (since an arterial road connecting the south coast of NSW/Sydney and the western suburbs go right through here, and the Hume Highway which connects Canberra and Sydney as well) and it's a real nuisance. If I remember right, that first became an issue at the last federal election, and the new Liberal MP promised he'd do something about it. But there's been no news about that and while there's no intermodal facility yet, there are still growing amounts of trucks using our roads. So yeah, while I'm loath to give Labor (or their puppets the Greens) a vote courtesy of Gillard, I'm not entirely convinced by our Liberal MP. Also, being a leftist, I don't really like to vote for conservatives unless the 'leftist' party are no good.

But at the end of the year, I'll be moving to a nearby suburb which falls under another electorate, so I'm not too sure what value my vote will be here. I'll essentially be voting for 2-3 months worth of representation rather than the full four years. On the balance of things, I'm really not too sure who I'll be voting for.

The vote for the Senate will be more interesting, although I know virtually no Senators except Nick Xenophon.

Nah, I am an '88 baby. Third federal vote. You like Danna Vale? She is a little bit cooky, to say the least. I am in the electorate of Bruce and my MP is Rudd numbers man, Alan Griffin. If you are actually a leftist, you must be hoping Turnbull is going to become leader of the Coalition? Of course, I hope he doesn't.

 

[Alphabet]

I fall a little further down the left side of the spectrum than Turnbull, or mainstream western politics in general . If I had to describe myself, I'd say I'm a moderate communist (as in, I don't favour the all-out stuff that Marx and Trotsky preached, I'm more pragmatic and see the merits of including some aspects of the capitalist system).

I'm anti-Labor because they're psuedo-leftists and they've been ineffective in government ever since they got elected in.

I thought you were my age because of the '94' as part of your name.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I fall a little further down the left side of the spectrum than Turnbull, or mainstream western politics in general . If I had to describe myself, I'd say I'm a moderate communist (as in, I don't favour the all-out stuff that Marx and Trotsky preached, I'm more pragmatic and see the merits of including some aspects of the capitalist system).

I'm anti-Labor because they're psuedo-leftists and they've been ineffective in government ever since they got elected in.

[snip]

You're not a moderate communist if you think there are effective parts of a capitalist society. In theory, you do somewhat fit into the mould economically of the ALP. You are not particularly a fan of a free market economy, prefer state ownership/govt control but see the uses of a free market. Fair?

Most Turnbull fans are to the left of Turnbull. That says more about him, than his fans. He is the Mitt Romney of Aust politics. Someone who is more liked than the other leadership candidates, a moderate, a rich businessman and has similar mannerisms.

 

[Alphabet]

I'd say my ideology falls closest to Lenin's. He rejected some ideas of Marxist theory because he felt they weren't applicable to the real world. What I believe in is something similar to the USSR under the New Economic Policy- limited capitalism for the individual (i.e. if you're a producer and you have met your quotas, feel free to sell off surplus for profit), but government command of the bigger picture; big business and banking etc. It's the best of both worlds, you still get incentive to pioneer new goods and services as an individual (which is capitalisms greatest strength IMO), but that new good/service won't be crushed instantly if it's not commercially viable (which in turn is capitalisms greatest weakness), and it's recession-proof.

I'm also a believer in democracy (this part is closer to Marx/Trotsky than Lenin). I don't want to see an armed revolution in order to bring about a leftist state. I would ideally like to see it voted in by the public and held accountable if it fails by losing power, so we avoid a Soviet-style situation where good intentions quickly turn into inefficiency and corruption. But on the flipside I don't really like the idea of a minority government or a powerful opposition in either House; that is counter-productive.