I used to live in Jeff Kennett’s neighbourhood. Every day he’d return in his limo (a few public artworks in the boot wink wink). I’d throw eggs at him. Not out of political objection however. I just hate white limos and his bloody haircut.

He always caught them in a net. Why pay for eggs - cheap Scottish bastard!

Why is it that I’ve always lived in safe seats (either safe Labor or safe Lib?) Surely I’d have gotten more bang for my buck by living in a marginal seat…must plan better next time.

It might be nice if politicians who want to be socially aware to try and figure out a way of doing this that isn’t useless and/or destructive. Rudd’s economic policies seem straight out Britain c 1960. Obama appears to intend to do this considering his heterodox policy advisors. However he does have a big shopping list. That’s the trouble with politicians it’s easy to spend other people’s money.

I didn’t vote for Rudd. I live in a safe Labor seat. Never make it too easy for ‘em I say. I did want Howard out he’d become a real pain.

Voted for the Greens by way of the LDP. I’ve voted Green in the upper house for a while. Something about sending a message viz the environment to the major parties. The LDP thing was a message to the Greens.

I reckon one message got thru and one did not. But ta-ta the Greens, useless buggers.

Maybe a huge billboard outside Parliament House:

ATTENTION: THROWING PUBLIC MONEY AT PROBLEMS SOLVES THEM NOT!!.

Well sometimes it solves ‘em. Kinda.

An additional factor was his loss of credibility, trust, honesty etc amongst the general public. Simply look at the history :-
core/non core promises, the children overboard episode, the AWB affair, the flagrant exploitation of “fear”to drive an issue, failure to enforce even basic ministerial standards, the blatant use of staffers to defend ministerial actons or inactions.

I think many people saw dishonesty as an intrinsic component of Howard’s modus operandi!

Combined with a failure in the area of economic reform in - particularly in the last 2 terms - made the public very cynical.

Howard did run out of puff but Liberal supporters could rightfully ask where was some vitality from the then Treasurer!!

I think Howard got voted out because people were ready for a change, and wanted a more “socially aware” government. I voted for this mob, but my fear now is that they are into appearances over substance, economically speaking - make it look like you’re doing something, and don’t worry if it has the effect you want or not.

I’m particularly worried that the ETS might send our economy off a cliff, all for ideological reasons rather than any practical difference that we can make.

To be fair, the previous mob were also guilty of economic reforms for the sake of window dressing too eg, first home buyer’s grant and baby bonus (as I said in a previous post, the net effect of all these rebates and bonuses is usually minimal because of resultant market distortion).

I’m sorry Rafe but the idea that the overwhelming majority of those in the media are the robotic agitprop agents of the ALP is just hooey.

Kevvie played Howard very well last year. And Howard just ran out of puff. His best shot was: Please vote for me again, I like this job. Pathetic. Time to go.