Parallel Universe

[westcoastpanther]

I couldn't care less if the economy was thriving and we were in the best position in our history. This bird lied though her teeth to get in to power and the only thing I'm interested in is when she is rightfully booted out on her arse and we have a govt the people elected.

What an embarrasment to all the good female politicians out there and how bad is it for them that the first female PM will be remembered as a total ass clown failure.

[Psyber]

I think dedja is right that Abbott is outplaying the ALP at the game of Politics - and he seems to be the man for that job.
I'm not happy about all his policies either though, and rather hope they can be modified by more moderate influences once the change of government occurs.
I dislike the game, but it seems to be what all political parties, and their staunch supporters, see as most important, regardless of paying lip service to representative democracy.

I'd really rather see a broader democracy with more independents so that no one party could dominate.
Elected Oligarchy is not a great form of government as it encourages the pursuit of power to push aside common sense, consensus, and compromise.
So, we get left with choosing between the two evils of our major forces.

As I've said before, I joined a political party myself only when I thought both were moving too far to the right and becoming more authoritarian.
I chose the one in which I thought I could at least be heard because its internal structures are more democratic.
This site's "Test" says I'm actually left of both major parties: http://www.politicalcompass.org/index

[Gingernuts]

I think dedja is right that Abbott is outplaying the ALP at the game of Politics - and he seems to be the man for that job.
I'm not happy about all his policies either though, and rather hope they can be modified by more moderate influences once the change of government occurs.
I dislike the game, but it seems to be what all political parties, and their staunch supporters, see as most important, regardless of paying lip service to representative democracy.

I'd really rather see a broader democracy with more independents so that no one party could dominate.Elected Oligarchy is not a great form of government as it encourages the pursuit of power to push aside common sense, consensus, and compromise.
So, we get left with choosing between the two evils of our major forces.

As I've said before, I joined a political party myself only when I thought both were moving too far to the right and becoming more authoritarian.
I chose the one in which I thought I could at least be heard because its internal structures are more democratic.
This site's "Test" says I'm actually left of both major parties: http://www.politicalcompass.org/index

That may be more democratic, but it's a far less efficient form of goverment. Every piece of legislation would require extensive negotiation will individuals of all political persuasions to get through, and therefore progress would grind to a hault. Not to mention governments would be built on alliances between minor parties/independents resulting in a very unstable and inconstent government. We could be potentially going to the polls every six months as alliances broke and governments dissolved.

Nope, for me our system of government is one of the best and most stable in the world. I wouldn't be fiddling with it.

[dedja]

Labor's implosion wouldn't be so bad if the disturbing consequence of Abbott as PM was not to become a reality.

Bingo. Anyone else wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

And unfortunately there lies the rub ... ah, we're all faarked I'm afraid

[Psyber]

That may be more democratic, but it's a far less efficient form of goverment. Every piece of legislation would require extensive negotiation will individuals of all political persuasions to get through, and therefore progress would grind to a hault. Not to mention governments would be built on alliances between minor parties/independents resulting in a very unstable and inconstent government. We could be potentially going to the polls every six months as alliances broke and governments dissolved.

Nope, for me our system of government is one of the best and most stable in the world. I wouldn't be fiddling with it.

I agree - we may have to live with what we have.
The only alternative I can see would require a major revamp.

Perhaps something like:
1. A smaller executive government to make the quick day to day decisions, replacing the lower house - say a maximum of 9 individuals as bigger groups break into factions.
2. A house of review, replacing the upper house, to subsequently endorse or revise those decisions - I'd advocate saving money and time by having just 100 seats nationwide.
3. Ideally an independently elected Umpire/Ombudsman/Governor to guard our civil rights and arbitrate in case of deadlock - including call an election if necessary.

It would take a lot of working out.
Maybe just replacing the present Governor-General with 3. would be sufficient..

Installing me as Lord High Benevolent Dictator would be easier.

[dedja]

Installing me as Lord High Benevolent Dictator would be easier.

But that surely will be a gross conflict of interest Your Honour, as Thorium Nuclear Power shares would skyrocket and we know who holds most of them ...

[Psyber]

Installing me as Lord High Benevolent Dictator would be easier.

But that surely will be a gross conflict of interest Your Honour, as Thorium Nuclear Power shares would skyrocket and we know who holds most of them ...

"Gee.. and I hadn't though of that!" See I'm a natural politician..
I'd be prepared to take a lower salary than our present PM anyway - I'd do the job for $100K.

[redandblack]

You've got my vote, Psyber

[Gingernuts]

Personally I think Australia's current political landscape is begging for a new political party. I'm not talking the Bob Katter variety either.

If someone had the balls to start a moderate political party and managed to find some decent financial backing I reckon it would take maybe 3 elections before they could challenge for power.

I'm talking moderate conservative, taking a 'no spin' platform. People a dog tired of hearing the same scripted BS day in day out. Present and alternative (that's not extreme) and I reckon people would go for it in droves.

[dedja]

You're onto something there fanta pants ... you mean politicians and a party who actually have some conviction, rather than just being popularist or partisan for political gain only, even when it's clearly not in the national interest?

[Psyber]

Personally I think Australia's current political landscape is begging for a new political party. I'm not talking the Bob Katter variety either.

If someone had the balls to start a moderate political party and managed to find some decent financial backing I reckon it would take maybe 3 elections before they could challenge for power.

I'm talking moderate conservative, taking a 'no spin' platform. People a dog tired of hearing the same scripted BS day in day out. Present and alternative (that's not extreme) and I reckon people would go for it in droves.

Perhaps a group of us could get together and form one.
I'm prepared to be an MP for $100k a year, even as PM, and no post parliament benefits beyond the normal MP pension scheme.

[Jimmy_041]

The Labor government and Julia Gillard's hold on power is coming to an end.

The political agenda is being completely driven by Tony Abbott and the coalition and they will romp to a landslide victory at the next election.

There is no parallel universe and the forces of political nature are operating naturally ... Gillard and Labor are just being outsmarted by Abbott time and time again, and it is pointless to look to factors like the economy, interest rates, climate change and asylum policies as they are irrelevant in this type of climate.

Labor are just hopelessly incompetent political players and rightly or wrongly, will be slaughtered accordingly.

Great work, dedja

What a fine example of another parallel universe on here. The above is totally opinion and prediction, dressed as fact.

This, of course, is perfectly acceptable, as it comes from an anti-government source and is in accordance with the rules of this forum, according to some of the right-wingers on here.

Those rules include:

Opinion stated as fact is fact if it comes from the right wing. Fact quoted by non-conservatives is evidence that they are hopelessly biased.

Redand black is hopeless biased because he always supports Julia Gillard.

We right-wingers are not biased in never supporting anything she ever does, because everyone knows we’re right.

If neutral posters post anything they are right if they agree with us and wrong, or to be ignored, if they don’t.

If we have no argument, resort to personal abuse. If it’s redandblack, post that personal abuse in another forum .

If we post anything detailed, it is an insurmountable argument. If redandblack posts anything detailed, it is evidence he thinks he knows everything and is brow-beating us poor defenceless posters.

There is another political universe on here, one that I enjoy. Debating opinions and facts with the very many excellent conservative poster and fellow travelers on here. I might not agree with some of them, but I value what they say and I appreciate their good wishes.

So thank you dedja for that post. I usually enjoy your posts and particularly enjoyed that fine example of opinion dressed as fact, abuse of Julia Gillard, dismissal of all the economic indicators and recognition of Tony Abbott's brilliance.

Much appreciated

PS: Nice post, Jimmy, I agree with some of it.

Nice try R&B - have a veiled swipe at me and then say "Nice post Jimmy" It would have been more sincere if you had added a

If you want to keep playing the man, then go right ahead - you aren't very good at a toe to toe.
Dedja's comments were an opinion and, nowhere, does he say they are fact - I can see it, as can probably 99% of the people on here.
So what do you do - attack him personally and then everyone else on here.
You say that you enjoy debate but you dont participate - you accept no-one else's views and make resort to personal attacks on other writers.
For the record - I am not a right wing person - I am certainly right of you but so are probably most of Australia
Dont call me a right winger - I find it offensive and you have no right to label anyone especially people you have never met.
As for your "oh woe is me" bleating, maybe you should get someone close to you to read your posts before you hit the enter key.
You might find you create your own environment, but then again, you probably wouldn't.
As for debating some of your distorted facts; no-one bothers.

[redandblack]

Give it a rest, Jimmy.

[Gingernuts]

You're onto something there fanta pants ... you mean politicians and a party who actually have some conviction, rather than just being popularist or partisan for political gain only, even when it's clearly not in the national interest?

Bingo dedja. Reckon it would go down a treat.

[Jimmy_041]

Give it a rest, Jimmy.

Quite happy to - I was just responding to your post and will continue to do so

[overloaded]

[Jimmy_041]

I think dedja is right that Abbott is outplaying the ALP at the game of Politics - and he seems to be the man for that job.
I'm not happy about all his policies either though, and rather hope they can be modified by more moderate influences once the change of government occurs.
I dislike the game, but it seems to be what all political parties, and their staunch supporters, see as most important, regardless of paying lip service to representative democracy.

I'd really rather see a broader democracy with more independents so that no one party could dominate.
Elected Oligarchy is not a great form of government as it encourages the pursuit of power to push aside common sense, consensus, and compromise.
So, we get left with choosing between the two evils of our major forces.

As I've said before, I joined a political party myself only when I thought both were moving too far to the right and becoming more authoritarian.
I chose the one in which I thought I could at least be heard because its internal structures are more democratic.
This site's "Test" says I'm actually left of both major parties: http://www.politicalcompass.org/index

Gee Psyber - look what I scored:

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -1.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.97

[Q.]

You bloody hippy.

[Jimmy_041]

Was it the long hair and the earring that gave it away, Quichey?

[Q.]

That and your hemp jeans