Re: Abbott must go, arise Sir Malcolm!
Reply #78 –
K Rudd has just retired!!! 
Thank f**k for that, untrustworthy little prick.
This thread reads like the old Fremantle Workers Club at 11pm on a Friday night, Wharfies loaded up on amber fluid pitting for the downfall of their arch enemy.
The majority of the voting populace has voted and they opted for a change.
At least the vote wasn't made by the cash grabbing obscure Independents of the house.
That comment reads like someone loaded up on single malt whiskey at the Melbourne Club. 
That probably highlights the problems in any political debate.
To many generalisations and stereotypes.
There's a refusal by both sides to recognise strengths and weaknesses on the other side of the political fence.
It's a natural thing but it's strange how some of the most passionate of supporters of individual freedom and thought are so dismissive of the views of others.
It's why these things never end in agreement.....but they're funny to read. 
If we all start agreeing with each other, LODS, things will become very boring very quickly... but in the spirit of your post, I did applaud the Howard governments initiative in including psychologists under MediCare (for rebates etc). And it was the Labor govt that reduced this initiative... disgraceful.
I think it's things like Politics and Religion....and of course Football
where folks are usually pretty inflexible.
We have set points of view early on and it's difficult to accept an opposing viewpoint and give credit where it's due.
I'm not immune to that and have been particularly conflicted at times.
For most of my career I was involved in union activity, fighting for better working conditions.
I was a union representative and at one time a vice president of our particular branch...yet I've probably voted conservative at a federal level more than I've voted for the ALP over the years.
While that gives me a degree of impartiality it also has presented a conflict at times.
Tony Abbott doesn't inspire me to any great extent. I'd much prefer Turnbull, just as I'd prefer Albanese to Shorten (although he was pretty good in parliament today
).....but to dismiss Abbott as a dill, as some seem ready to do, is way off the mark.
Forget the rest........You don't get to be where he is unless you're a very good politician.
Better than any of us who criticise him!
Whatever you might think about Hawke, Keating, Howard, Rudd and Gillard (and all those before them) they were all "politically" very good.
They developed contacts and support networks that enabled them to assume power...
And being a good 'politician' is the name of the game, because unless you have the power, you don't have the ability to really change things.
LODS! WTF... how dare you be so balanced, reasonable, fair and intelligent!
In all seriousness it would seem that when it comes to voting we are similar, though I would label myself a moderate/swinging voter. In my time on planet Earth I think I've voted for everyone except the Sex Party - next time!
You argue, very reasonably, that you cannot be a dill to get to the top job - agree. You do need to be a good politician, as you write... but what does being a 'good politician' really mean? To me, a 'good politician' is likely a ruthless, power thirsty, shrewd, highly intelligent, cunning and highly manipulative yet charming embarrassment who can deliver exactly what his backers and funders want (the wealthy elite). We should never mistake politicians as being the ones who really control this nation; any nation.