I am just tired of them all.

[Calluna]

I've yet to meet a Canadian who wants to become more like the US. The closest I've come to are those who want less taxes, but even in those circles, they wouldn't take lower taxes if they have to take all the other crap that comes along with it.

I guess I should have clarified and said 'some Australian and Canadian politicians' want to become more like the US. I'm sure the average person doesn't want these things anymore than most US citizens do.

 

[Sherry Darling]

Hi all! I am a good ten years about older than the U2 Cacusus's candidate for president, U2Dem. But I share her view that giving up is not an option. For those who have the energy and stomach (and if you don't, really, can't you whine? ), there are plenty of options.

Never forget the examples of Thoreau, MLK, Malcom X, Gandhi, Rosa Parks (RIP), Dorothy Day. Not to mention this one Irish singer.

Never forget the three most important words in politics: organize, organize, organize!

Never forget that all politics is local.

Paul Wellstone's The Conscience of a Liberal and his staffer's (I forget the name, but Amazon.com will have it) book Winning the Wellstone Way give what I found to be really helpful details and stories of successful progressive organizing.

Seriously, guys, let's erase "I can't" from our vocabulary. Remind yerself it's what they want you think.

 

[Scarletwine]

It's what keeps me going and not curling up in a little ball.

That and the need to try to keep hard won freedoms and a liveable world for my son.

 

[Ft. Worth Frog]

Melon, get involved on a local level...city council, school board, something of that nature. Personally, I know I do not agree with you on a lot of things, but there is one thing I could trust you to do and that is to up the mainstream...something any democracy needs. You force people to think and you hold a lot of ideas that GOPers and Dems would not like.

 

[U2democrat]

Hi all! I am a good ten years about older than the U2 Cacusus's candidate for president, U2Dem. But I share her view that giving up is not an option. For those who have the energy and stomach (and if you don't, really, can't you whine? ), there are plenty of options.

Never forget the examples of Thoreau, MLK, Malcom X, Gandhi, Rosa Parks (RIP), Dorothy Day. Not to mention this one Irish singer.

Never forget the three most important words in politics: organize, organize, organize!

Never forget that all politics is local.

Paul Wellstone's The Conscience of a Liberal and his staffer's (I forget the name, but Amazon.com will have it) book Winning the Wellstone Way give what I found to be really helpful details and stories of successful progressive organizing.

Seriously, guys, let's erase "I can't" from our vocabulary. Remind yerself it's what they want you think.

Definitely don't give up. If you do, well then the other side has won...and I dare not give them that satisfaction of having this Democrat down for the count. Get on the inside and bring 'em down from there if you have to. Maybe because y'all don't have major elections going on right now you're not as fired up as I am, but just wait 'till next year with the midterms. Bring it on!

 

[Earnie Shavers]

I guess I should have clarified and said 'some Australian and Canadian politicians' want to become more like the US. I'm sure the average person doesn't want these things anymore than most US citizens do.

Power.

Our last election was a month before the last US election. I had no idea where to vote. On the one side is a man who I absolutely hate, who is bent on tearing this country up in his own ridiculously conservative image. On the other was a completely inept party who couldn't arrange the pillows in their own bed, let alone policies and an effective leadership. If you were to visit Sydney, you will flat out struggle to find anyone who doesn't wish Howard would crawl away and die, yet are all fearful of the apparent complete stupidity of the alternative. Other areas are similar to the US, eg how the media deals with all of this (right down to Murdochs hand). Honestly, if the opposition had even an average leader and ideas going into the last election, they would have won (and I get the same feeling from the US) and probably quite easily.

With Howard, what could you expect? I'm ashamed that he is the leader here. Very much so. It's sad that I think for myself and so many others, even not in areas of policy or whatever, you are listening to your prime minister or presidents beliefs and ideals and thinking "he's not even talking about my country?". In addition to that I'm flat out fucking angry at the opposition for being so incredibly outright moronic in the face of that.

 

[A_Wanderer]

I think that Fairfax, SBS and ABC would more than make up for bias on other outlets.

 

[Earnie Shavers]

I think that Fairfax, SBS and ABC would more than make up for bias on other outlets.

I don't think that's the case at all. They may weight up in the sense that it's, maybe, 3 media outlets on one side and 3 on the other. However, when you talk reach and demographics....

Answer this. The average Australian Jane/Joe (in Sydney) is;

(A)

"I watch World News and documentaries on SBS, love Lateline on the ABC. I read the Sydney Morning Herald cover to cover every day - particularly the World News section and the editorial pages. I listen to ABC radio while at work."

(B)

"I catch a few headlines on Sunrise/Today in the morning sometimes. I flick through the Daily Telegraph on a break at work, usualy just the front couple of pages and the celebrity news (female)/football news (male). I listen to FM radio. I catch the news occasionaly at night, sometimes ACA/Today Tonight."

 

[A_Wanderer]

I think B, but the flipside is that I am A (although finally getting rid of The Age next week and getting the Australian) and there are at time instances of severe bias. There are very few news outlets that give any in depth coverage and of those they do tend to have some bias especially SBS, ABC is the most balanced and gives good coverage.

All I can say is thank the USA for the Internet.

 

[timothius]

I agree totally with what Angela, Earnie & Wanderer are saying here. The Australian government is moving the currently more and more towards America and I think it is a major affailing of both the opposition and the general public that they aren't making this more of an issue.

As Earnie said, most people if you asked them would air some discontent for ol' Johnny, but that is only when asked. At the last election I believe most people voted out of their own self interest ($$$$) instead of the greater good of the country. While Labor is a clusterfuck, on key issues I do think they are on the right side of things - they just aren't fit for government yet, but the Libs weren't exactly fit in 1996, so these things can surprise some people.

Johnny will continue to drive Australia down a path that on balance I don't think the people want to go down until either, Costello takes the reigns and/or Labor find the man (and I think I know the one) who could quite possibly lead them into government next term...

 

[Halifax]

Johnny will continue to drive Australia down a path that on balance I don't think the people want to go down until either, Costello takes the reigns and/or Labor find the man (and I think I know the one) who could quite possibly lead them into government next term...

And who is this next Labor man you are thinking of?

 

[A_Wanderer]

Well I think that voting in my self interest for VSU is perfectly fine, I have no faith in collectivism for the "greater good".

 

[ouizy]

I would vote for Melon and U2Democrat tomorrow.

No campaigning necessary, no waste of money.

 

[U2democrat]

I would vote for Melon and U2Democrat tomorrow.

No campaigning necessary, no waste of money.

Thanks

 

[joyfulgirl]

I would vote for Melon and U2Democrat tomorrow.

No campaigning necessary, no waste of money.

Hurry up and get older, U2democrat.

 

[timothius]

And who is this next Labor man you are thinking of?

Guess, but I will give you some clues.

Well educated. Articulate. Non-unionist. Resonates well with most Australians. Credibility coming out of his ears. Makes tough principled decisions. A born leader. Age has moved him from a off-the-planet greenie to a responsible center-left politician.

 

[U2democrat]

Hurry up and get older, U2democrat.

Let me get Tim elected, and work for him, then get Mark Warner elected president, and Barack Obama after that, then who knows what. Just as long as these posts don't come back to haunt me.

 

[Earnie Shavers]

Guess, but I will give you some clues.

Well educated. Articulate. Non-unionist. Resonates well with most Australians. Credibility coming out of his ears. Makes tough principled decisions. A born leader. Age has moved him from a off-the-planet greenie to a responsible center-left politician.

Will always stand in the back row of group photos at world forums?

 

[timothius]

Will always stand in the back row of group photos at world forums?

That's brilliant.

 

[BonosSaint]

Definitely don't give up. If you do, well then the other side has won...and I dare not give them that satisfaction of having this Democrat down for the count. Get on the inside and bring 'em down from there if you have to. Maybe because y'all don't have major elections going on right now you're not as fired up as I am, but just wait 'till next year with the midterms. Bring it on!

Maybe some people choose to work in arenas other than politics for change. There may be a handful of politicians out there who are genuine leaders, but most of them are propelled (when they are propelled) by social change that takes on a life of its own and forces them out of the status quo. Politicians are ultimately followers of the wind. They do not bring about social change. They reflect the change that has already begun elsewhere. So not being "fired up" about politics doesn't mean disinterest, just means we might follow a different muse.

 

[anitram]

Maybe some people choose to work in arenas other than politics for change. There may be a handful of politicians out there who are genuine leaders, but most of them are propelled (when they are propelled) by social change that takes on a life of its own and forces them out of the status quo. Politicians are ultimately followers of the wind. They do not bring about social change. They reflect the change that has already begun elsewhere. So not being "fired up" about politics doesn't mean disinterest, just means we might follow a different muse.

Absolutely.

There are people who are effecting real, positive change, on a small scale that has nothing to do with legislating or participating in the process of elections.

The government to me, is ineffective, and loaded up with the same old, rich white men as always. But we can make a difference on our own, in our homes, and in our communities, through volunteer work or through the type of work we do for a living.

Politicians and politics in general give me the dry heaves.

 

[verte76]

I would vote for Melon and U2Democrat tomorrow.

No campaigning necessary, no waste of money.

So would I.

 

[U2democrat]

Absolutely.

There are people who are effecting real, positive change, on a small scale that has nothing to do with legislating or participating in the process of elections.

The government to me, is ineffective, and loaded up with the same old, rich white men as always. But we can make a difference on our own, in our homes, and in our communities, through volunteer work or through the type of work we do for a living.

Politicians and politics in general give me the dry heaves.

I didn't say you can't create change if you don't do politics, nor do I mean to imply that. I'm sorry you feel that way about all politicians though

 

[Sherry Darling]

I totally agree that you don't have to be involved in politics to affect positive change (in fact, it might help ). Problem is, though, whether you affect politics or not, they affect you. I guess that's the reality that has me personally involved.

I would also like to share a thought about a point Antriam has raised often about voting--or boycotting. I can fully understand someone chosing not to vote. But I guess I'd also like to point out that there is a HUGE difference between an organized boycott and a bunch of people just not showing up.

Finally, if I may, some more words of encouragement. They're from the Bible and I hope my non-Christian friends here wil not be offended but will understand the encouragement in a general sense. I heard Rev. Jim Wallis (from Sojourners) speak tonight, and he reminded us that even when things seem at their worst socially, with poverty and war and violence seemingly everywhere

1. With God, ALL things are possible and
2. Faith is the substance of things not seen.

We are smaller than poverty and war, but He isn't.