The little choice election: Saturday’s socialist speak out
Posted by John, August 13th, 2010 - under Saturday's socialist speak out.
This is a little choice election between two parties who have much the same neoliberal philosophy and differ on the detail sometimes. But this weekend there are separate demonstrations across Australia for same sex marriage and equal love, for refugees and against global warming. Electing the Liberals or the Labor Party isn’t going to change anything for the better for refugees, for gays and lesbians and in addressing global warming. And both major parties will attack our living standards if the economy worsens as is very possible. Hit the comments button to have your say on these or other matters or to see what others are thinking.
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Comments
Comment from John
Time August 14, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Another dead Australian in Afghanistan. Time to get Western troops, including Australian troops, out and stop pretending this is anything other than following the US for the interests of Australian business and the Alliance.
Comment from John Passant
Time August 14, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Tens of thousands rallied for equal love across Austraia – 6000 in Melbourne, 2500 in Sydney, 1000 in Perth. As Socialist Alternative ( http://www.sa.org.au ) says ‘In other cities, 600 joined the protest in Brisbane, 250 in Canberra, 300 in Adelaide, 250 in Hobart, 200 in Newcastle, 100 in Lismore and 100 in Wollongong. Marches also took place in Darwin and Byron Bay.’
Comment from John
Time August 14, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Wow Dee. I love that image of the seven, now eight, vultures. Brilliant. Can I use it?
Politics for the millions not the millionaires, to borrow a slogan from other socialists.
Comment from Dee
Time August 15, 2010 at 5:08 pm
The image of the innumerable vultures is an open concept. I heard Bill Shorten use the term in the 2007 campaign when he introduced a multi-millionaire “fast food” person as an ALP candidate. His list was quite different to mine, but that happens often when politicians try to tell the masses what the ruling classes think the election issues are. I know you will use the image with wisdom and good effect.
Comment from Adrian aryan
Time August 15, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Do people who want same sex marriage seek a legally binding civil contract or the sacrament of matrimony?
Comment from John
Time August 15, 2010 at 7:40 pm
They want to be treated the same as straight people. They want to marry.
Comment from Adrian aryan
Time August 17, 2010 at 5:22 pm
By same sex marriage, are we seeking a legally binding civil contract with its benefits and obligations. OR do we want the Christian sacrament of Matrimony?
Comment from Adrian aryan
Time August 17, 2010 at 5:24 pm
That doesn’t really answer the question, does it
Comment from John
Time August 17, 2010 at 5:33 pm
If people want to marry in a religious ceremony which has legal implications, irrespective of sexual orientation, why not? Some churches in some countries do marry gay couples.
Comment from Dee
Time August 14, 2010 at 9:03 am
In 2007 ALP candidates from the Townsville region and from other places made much of the seven vultures that were feeding on the carcass of the Howard government as it flailed around shifting further and further to the right in its drive to populism with business and religious groups and with those who listen only to small sound bites from the mainstream media.
Those seven vultures of 2007 were: the denial of climate change; touting of the war in Iraq; WorkChoices; policy failure on education spending; poor vision of infrastructure; destruction of research and development; and refugees with the Pacific Solution.
Three years later and we still have seven vultures but they are now feeding on the corpses of the Gillard government and the LNP Opposition as they both lurch further and further to the far right with the same populism groups and intentions.
The only difference this time is the make up of the seven vultures has changed to: the continued denial of climate change/don’t do anything until the rest of the world does; continued promotion of the war in Afghanistan; the continuation of the ABCC and WorkChoices by another name; the mining industry deciding who will be Prime Minister; the neglect of health and education services for people in regional Australia; the broadscale mining of uranium; and appalling policies on refugees and asylum seekers.
The internet filter designed to appease the far, far-right happy clappers may be the eighth vulture, sooner or later.
This is not what good government and policies is supposed to be about: government by big business, hidden bureaucrats, vested interests and exploitative capitalism.
It’s Time! It’s Time alright. It’s Time for a more humanitarian approach to government and politics.
Policies for the millions are what is required. Big business and the billionaires can look after themselves.