Hi there,
My name is James, I arrived in Australia when I was just 10 years young. When I was 16 I joint the labour party and from then on I become interested with political issues from a social economic perspective. After 20 years of labour political involvement I terminated my membership. Gone were the days when an individual’s point of view had any merit; for the days when you could vote who you preferred to represent you; for the days when you debated the current issues within your branch and formulate a united branch position.
In my younger years I worked for American multinational corporations that recognised the art marketing. Ultimately in my late twenties I started a small manufacturing company that still operates today. I am one of those fortunate people that work with my son side by side.
As to my thoughts for our political leaders, well:
Prime Ministers Gillard: Has shown to be a very skilful negotiator. A chess play that analyses every move, a true professional that knows how to close the deal behind closed doors. The best thing she can do right now is be herself and connect with the public. Unfortunately, most of the time she is unattached with what she is saying. The more she tries the worse she looks. Not everyone has the ability to show emotion, some people have it and some people don’t.
Off-course her opponents will pursue her for promising that the will be no carbon tax before the last election and change her mind after winning the election. Bad bad girl.
Julia Gillard should remind her critics of the core promise and non-core promise episode.
After winning the 1996 Australian Federal election John Howard slashed spending on Education, Health, and Social Welfare blaming a budget deficit left by the previous government. When it was pointed out that he had promised not to cut spending on these areas as part of his election platform and that he had lied, he claimed that these were “non-core promises” Not only did “No tax increases, no new taxes” turn out to be a non-core promise, but in the campaign, Howard had also given a solemn undertaking that “I’m not going to break any promises”. That one was certainly non-core.
The basic truth is that circumstances change and political leaders will support their parties agenda whenever they can. We should recognise what promises are made during an election are on the proviso all will remain the same after the election. Realistically this is not probable, in a world with constant changing circumstance no politician can predict tomorrows opportunities or adversities and therefor their position will change accordingly.
Tony Abbott: I dislike him with a passion. He is in Parliament for himself first and his constituency second every time. He may well qualify for the greatest opposition lead but definitely not for prime minister. Mr NO MAN is Mr DESPERATE to WIN MAN and will do and say anything. We should all realise that Mr. Abbott will never agree to a compromise with the government when it come to asylum seekers. This is one of the last major issues left for Abbott to exploit. It is his action not his words that matter. I hope Australians will in time wake up and see him for who he is.
Kevin Rudd: Had an opportunity that derived with optimism and support from across Australia and could have been a great leader, but blow it. I envisage Kevin is calculating that labour will lose the next election and can reclaim the leadership. Mr Rudd should categorically announce that he will not stand for the leadership under any circumstance and concentrate on foreign affairs so that his party can improve their chances of winning.
The question about losing his leadership is simple. The party had every right to decide as they saw fit. We should not feel robbed for rights we didn’t have. We do not vote for the prime minister, we vote for our district representative and they vote for the prime minister. Mr Rudd should have realised that a good captain keeps his generals close and his enemies closer.
Malcolm Turnbull: I am glad he has stayed in parliament. I see him as a future prime minister. A man that understands if you want to get things done you need to compromise for the good of your country. He is persuasive, thoughtful, articulate and down to earth; and is there for what he can do for his country NOT what the country can do for him like Abbott.
Finally, what I know to be true about life is said best by Calvin Coolidge (American President) it hangs on my office wall and I often remind myself of it.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Calvin Coolidge