From observations I have made when discussing the labor win (YAY!)there seems to be a fear that is at the root of all arguments being made against the new labour government, and that has to do with the economy. People are scared that the labour government might make old mistakes, and the economy will suffer as a result. I have also heard the argument that it is the young Australians who have voted in favour of Rudd because they werent around for the economic woes.

I want to point out that if money is really at the core (as I suspect it is) of fears against a labor government, it is very sad. I am proud to say I voted Labor. I have more faith in the labor government than I do in a leader who has offered too many false hopes and dreams, shattering many of them shamelessly. Despite what has happened in the past, I would much prefer to let labor run the economy than allow a person who has lost every inch of my confidence back in. Mr Howard has done his country a great service, we are proud of him, however I believe that given a fighting chance Mr Rudd wil do better. Just my opinion.

Thank god Howard is finally gone.......he's screwed this country up enough. And yay, we will finally be signing the Kyoto protocal, its been long overdue but we finally got there!!!!!

Well the Reserve Bank, being Australia's arm of the Global Banking system rewards fascist behaviour, which is why Howard's policies carried so much favour. The fact that the RB raised rates in the middle of the campaign, combined with the backing from Murdoch's media outlets, and a lackluster performance from the PM supports the earlier suggested theory that the Libs were forced to take a dive on this one, which is an uncomforting thought indeed.

Also, low variable interest rates are nothing more than a temporary illusion. Housing prices around the country have skyrocketed, putting Australians in deeper debt than ever before, and now the rates are rising as well so the trap is swiftly closing and foreclosures are at levels never seen before. Rudd's housing policies will be absolutely paramount to the future security of most young Australians and they don't even know it yet.

One other thing I'll mention about the economic boom throughout Howard's era, is the groundwork was laid by the prior Labor Government reforms, who were saddled with ridiculous debt from the Fraser era, something which Gen Y's don't have the foggiest clue about. Howard was the lucky one who waltzed in during an unprecedented bull market, and whacked us with a goddamn GST. They had so much cash coming in, they could have put the WIGGLES in charge.

My view of the 2 parties is that they both chain us to the pyramid, but Labor makes sure everyone gets a smoko and a BBQ on the weekend, whereas Liberal will stick the boot in if you stumble. Of course, I didn't vote for either of them.

People have a lot to learn in a short period of time or we'll be doomed to repeat the mistakes all over.

Greetings ATS members.
This is my first post.

Originally posted by Rilence

Time for us to leave Iraq methinks I'm sure Herr Bush will be devastated one of his lapdogs is no longer around...

[edit on 24-11-2007 by Rilence]

Actually Rudd has already affirmed is support for military action in Iraq and Afghanistan and has said he will commit more troops to accomplish the coalitions goal. Thats why the war wasn't an issue during the election because both the Liberal and Labour party's policies on supporting the U.S are the same.

Everybody that voted for Rudd, sorry you got scammed. Australia's never been better off with low interest rates, low unemployment, higher rates off pay for those that deserve it and a budget surplus instead of the 40 billion deficit the last labour party managed the get us in to.

Should be an interesting next few years.

Originally posted by Rilence
He has deliberately taken away the rights of many working Australians to be compensated fairly for their work, at the expense of their employers pocketing most or all of the profits made as a result of their employees work...[/qquote]

People are more than fairly compensated for their work. It is actually out of touch to go back to the way things were. After working in several different countries, it is obvious the Australian worker is just plain lazy. I hope we don't become like the French.

Originally posted by Rilence
Personally, I see it as a dummy spit on Costello's part...

Pretty much, and he basically cbf being a has-been on death-row knowing that Turnbull will behead him sometime prior next election anyway. The Liberal psyche has a huge problem with defeat, because they honestly believe they were born to rule.

Congrats to Australia on "throwing the bums out"

Now lets hope we can do the same here in the US soon...

Originally posted by Rilence
Labor will withdraw those combat troops and perhaps send some to Afghanistan in order to assure the US control over the majority of the worlds opium supply...

Ok, so basincally we will hand over the security of our remaining troops to the US or some other country.

Or, hopefully...some of those guys will get to come home and be set to do base duties for a long time to re-adjust to society...

They are in the Army, not some welfare program.

When home loan rates were at 17% a far greater proportion of the population could afford to own their own home...

Now, that is a pipedream for more than half of us....

Not sure what you mean by afford ? You mean the mean price of a house was lower ? Do you think that if Labor had been in power that houses would be more affordable, highly unlikely. They'd probably be the same price they are now but with double digit interest rates.

Watch how much they will cost in a year once Labor starts putting upward pressure on inflation.





[edit on 25-11-2007 by Rilence]