Bye Bye Johnny

[mary]

Johnny, I bet right now you are wondering what the hell happened, but you have been up in the glass tower for too long. You and all your buddies were doing great while everyone else in australia was struggling for so long. This is a landmark weekend made even sweeter by Costello standing down. My faith in australia has been restored, you couldnt buy their vote with all the billions you were throwing at them. I bet all those multi national businesses are shaking in their boots. You kicked the dog too many times Johnny and now the dog bites back. A fair go is finally coming back. Australia has redeemed itself. Good Riddance.

[Meg]

Hi Mary.

What brings you back? I looked in one day and found 4213 and Test Card Girl (Fyrrn) posting again but now they've disappeared. It's mostly Raven and me with the occasional visit from others, notably Zeds.

I'm not really into politics, as you'd probably remember. I voted Greens for the senate. I live in a very safe Labor seat so I never feel my vote counts for much in the House of Representatives. People tell me that the economy was very strong under Howard and I do remember high interest rates under Labor. But Howard's slowness to act on environmental issues worried me and I hope that the new government rectifies that.

[zeds]

Hi Mary
Hello Meg

I am totally over the moon to have Labor in again at last! It will be very interesting to see how Kevin Rudd goes. And go Julia Gillard! I sincerely hope that Maxine wins the Bennelong seat from Johnny!

The economy is one part that means little to us. What is important is the environment and that the country is not run by a fascist little man who is racist, has no concern for people's lives and uses minority groups to try and swing votes his way. Uggghhh!!

I come from a very strong (and long-term) Labor voting family and my husband was converted (he came from a very strong Liberal voting family) once he and I got together (27 years now).

GO THE RUDD! is what I say. It is time for a change.

We need things like the environment addressed. People tell me that the economy was very strong under Howard and I do remember high interest rates under Labor. But Howard's slowness to act on environmental issues worried me and I hope that the new government rectifies that.

Economy was strong under Howard, but most of his focus was on business and little on environment.

Interest rates were high when Labor were in but you have to look at the interest rates rises from a global point of view. Howard took over just as the global situation looked better. So he took all the credit!

And interest rates have risen recently under the Howard government.

Still some postal votes to couint, but God I hope Go Maxine McKew (fingers crossed) unseats Johnny.

What a fitting way for him to end his political career!

Nothing smells as sweet as the victory achieved on Saturday!

[Raven]

Blah, politics, I hate it. I only voted because it's compulsory to.

I'm just glad that Nick Xenophon got in.

There's more I could say but I hate discussing this sort of stuff so I'll leave it there.

[zeds]

Hi Raven.

I only voted because it's compulsory to.

I am not having a go at you, but since you did in fact vote, what made you vote the way you did if you don't have any interest?

What does Nick Xenophon getting in mean to you? Is it his anti pokies stance or what?

Fellow SA voter asking.

[Raven]

It's his "voice for SA" really. I like what he stands for. Yes it's the anti pokies thing, it's also the other things he's done as well, and I've been reading up on his movements this week, with the water situation.

I guess what I mean with what I wrote is that I hate getting into discussions with people over voting, because there are always overly opinionated people who I know will shout me down for what I think, and I just wish to avoid it altogether to be honest. I don't really understand it that much and I have a stupidly naive view that instead of all this rather "childish" bitching Parties do before each election, if they just shut up and worked together to make our country the best it could be, well... I think a lot of people would be much happier...

[Meg]

Of the three subjects to avoid - politics, religion and money, politics has to be the worst. I avoid it too, Raven. One, because it's sure to expose my ignorance, and two because many people get quite passionate about it.

[Raven]

Yep that's exactly why I try to avoid it, heh.

I mean I know how important it is, but I'd rather not walk into a confrontation and upset myself. I have enough to deal with really.