Australian political changes and US political foolishness

[tcpip]

It seems that the West Australian Labor government has been re-elected by the skin of its teeth. A very cogent explanation of why the election was so close by crankynick basically blames a poor Labor campaign, although the Liberals were helped by astoundingly biased reporting from the West Australian newspaper. In a very sensible effort to shore up what has become a particularly unpopular government, the Labor Party in New South Wales has finally rid itself of the pro-privitisation treasurer and Premier; the former was sacked by the latter and then the latter was sacked by his parliamentary colleagues. I have hopes that Nathan Rees and Carmel Tebbutt will be able to 'do the right thing' and regain the trust of the NSW public.

Far to the north and east, the U.S. political landscape received a shockwave of sorts when Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain appointed Sarah Palin as the Vice-President nominee. This self-described "bulldog with lipstick" has come with a lot of attention, with her viewpoints on banning books, teaching Creationism in schools (but not comprehensive sex eduation), and opposing abortion in nearly all instances. What is remarkable about the choice is that (a) it shows how much the Republican Party is still under the influence of the fundamentalist religious lobby which seeks to impose their narrow worldview on the American public and (b) how irresponsible, divisive this choice is which, yet another sign of how completely unfit McCain is for the office of President.

In my own life everything is going very well. Ran a good game of RuneQuest on Sunday (Borderlands, Jezra's Rescue for those who know such things), and have received some excellent endorsements for RPG Review. Have been dealing productively with a number of work issues relating from everything from a particular Drupal module, HR and motivation issues for administrative staff (I've decided that our new administrative staff should at least do our Introduction to VPAC Computing course to give them a better sense of what we're on about), to dealing with some unprofessional behaviour from a software vendor.

Comments

[tau-iota-mu-c.livejournal.com]

And aren't we partying now that Morris Whiney Bastard Iemma is gone.

With the cabinet reshuffle the other day, prior to the lot of them getting the boot, it almost looked like absolutely everyone in cabinet was corrupt and/or completely incompetent. We live in exciting times.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! From that abhorrent attack on civil liberties during the World Youth Day festivals to the blatant attempt of corporate welfare with the attempted privitisation of the state electricity. Yes, there is champagne corks popping across the state with Costa and Iemma gobe.

Now lets see if Rees and Tebbutt can weave some of the magic that NSW Labor has done in the past. You know, fiscally conservative but with good social conscience (like Neville Wran).

[ironed_orchid]

Has anyone actually called the WA election yet? I thought the Libs and Nats would form a coalition and win... but it still seems crazy close.

The West has always been revoltingly pro liberal, I remember studying bias in the media by looking at how it portrayed ALP and Libs in primary school.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It looks like Labor will govern either by itself with support of the independents or in coalition with the Nationals.

Personally, I certainly favour the latter. The WA Nationals have always been a conservative, agrarian socialist, but thoroughly decent bunch of people. They won my heart in the early 90s when they stood against the forced amalgamation of Murdoch University and UWA.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

Those figures confuse me.
Bowler won Kal, Woolard looks likely to win Alfred Cove (although it's fucking close - and it Mr Green is right may go to a recount) and Carol "Alan Carpenter dumped me and I still live in Kwinana" Adams apparently won her seat so the ABC splash page is incorrect.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Awww... My old uni mate Roger Cook doesn't get Kwinana? That's a long way down from being the founder of NUS...

Oh well, I suppose that Labor could at least rely on Carol to support a minority government.

Interesting how supposedly safe seats are notorious for voting for independents against the party's enforcements...

[ironed_orchid]

I would love to see an ALP/NAT coalition, but I'm not holding my breath.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Apparently there was one in Victoria in the 1950s. So it's within the realms of possibility..

[aske.livejournal.com]

After that Republican National Convention everyone seems to be a little "John who?"... argh. I'm a little disappointed with the way he's changed over the past few years, for a while there he seemed to be the most sensible person the GOP had. And even though this Palin campaign has come out with guns blazing it seems like it could unravel quite easily. Looking forward to seeing how Palin holds up in the firing line of reporters and Biden.

Also, I've never considered myself to be one to buy into all the knee-jerk anti-American sentiment we throw around in Australia, so it pains me a little to say it, but I don't have much faith in the American voting public to dig a little deeper into these candidates (on both sides) beyond the jingoistic rhetoric they'll be copping through TV ads and sound bites. There was an interesting column about the election in The Age today, I think it was sourced from The Guardian, you might've come across it. Can't remember the author or the title for the life of me, though.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I think the choice will backfire in any combination of three ways.

a) Palin will end up saying something so mind blowingly stupid that even her closest allies hang their heads in shame.
b) People will forget that McCain is even running for President thus diminishing his vote even further.
c) Intelligent conservatives will grit their teeth and vote for Obama, simply because he is ultimately a more responsible candidate.

I just had the joy of watching Warren Beatty's "Bulworth". Now there's an American politician I could like!

[cluebyfour.livejournal.com]

"Intelligent conservatives"? Oxymoronic! ;-)

As for a), Palin is nowhere near that stupid I think. The left is digging out every possible skeleton in her closet, just as the right did with Obama, to see which one scares voters the most. But I don't think they're finding much that resonates. The polls indicate Obama has all but lost whatever bounce he got from the DNC.

Quite frankly Biden is just as likely if not more so to shove his foot in his mouth at some point; he has a reputation for it after all. Personally I think the VP debates will be more entertaining than the Presidential debates.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

You know, I've heard it said that Biden is gaffe-prone, but the worst I can find is borrowing from a Neil Kinnock speech twenty years ago.. and as far a borrowing sources, it was a good choice as well!

[aske.livejournal.com]

Scenario a) doesn't sound entirely impossible, or perhaps we'll have the joy of Todd "First Dude" Palin doing that for us. ;) One would hope the intelligent conservatives would wise up to the fact that a lot of what she's been throwing around (especially in regards to her harping on about vetoing excessive expenditure during her time in office) is absolute rubbish.

Hey, right now I'd probably vote for Bill Pullman in Independence Day. ;)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, Palin's "Bridge To Nowhere". I wonder how often they think they can repeat that lie before decent conservatives vote against them in utter disgust.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

The West? Biased? Say it ain't so!

The West actually took "the national newspapers" (including the Sunday Times) for not picking a winner. It's a disgrace.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

Your math? Nonsense.

According to that link:
Labor - 25 (likely)
Liberal - 22 (likely)
National - 4 (likely)

There are two independents - Bowler (ex-Labor, corrupt fuck who should be hurled from the steps of the parliament by the Sgt at Ars) and Janet "Liberal" Woolard.

Unless you expect the Nationals will suddenly overthrow decades of tradition I make that Labor 25, Coalition 27 and Independent 1.

That the Greens got a vote TWICE that of the Nationals and no seats is a tragedy.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, but when I made the post it was Labor 26, Liberal 21, National 4 :)

Unless you expect the Nationals will suddenly overthrow decades of tradition I make that Labor 25, Coalition 27 and Independent 1.

Oh, I think the WA Nationals are a little more independently minded than you give them credit for..

That the Greens got a vote TWICE that of the Nationals and no seats is a tragedy.

The Green's vote is split across a large number of electorates which gives them an advantage in the Legislative Council. The Nationals poll very strongly in geographically specific areas, which gives them an advantage in the Legislative Assembly. Besides, it's not as if the Green's vote is wasted.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think the WA Nationals are a little more independently minded than you give them credit for..

Yeah, by holding the entire state over a barrel for a $700 million bribe.
Right now they're the highest-priced hookers in the land.

If the do go into coalition with Labor I can easily see a short-lived Government. I assume at any moment they have the right to turn around and form a new Government with the Libs if they don't get their way. I would hope Dr Ken would have the guts to dissolve parliament in that case - but I don't think he has the ticker.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yeah, by holding the entire state over a barrel for a $700 million bribe.

*nods* Yep, that's them "working for their constitiuents". Especially now that sheep can't vote :)

IIRC there was a Labor-Country coalition in Victoria for a while as well.

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

I see my PM used a loophole to call an election early. He's scared that a surge in the polls for Obama will hurt Conservative chances for a majority government. So the election was called after the US election, yet will happen sooner.

Was wondering if you ever poked about on Moorcock's Miscellany, where the US election is also being discussed on the forums, and where we're also well-wishing Mike and Linda, neither of whom are in particularly good health at this time. :(

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yes, I noticed that there was now an election in Canada as well. Now there's a place that needs preferential voting as well! Between the Liberals, the Greens, the NDP and Bloc Québécois they make up over 60% of the vote - yet the Conservatives are in power!

I was unaware of Moorcock's Miscellany, so thanks for the reference. I'll sign up today - and give my best to Michael and Linda...

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure there was a referendum on that system and I supported it, but it was killed by ignorance, lack of hype, and lies. Now there's an outside chance of the Conservatives getting a majority government, McCain/Palin winning to the south, and me heading to your side of the world to practice various survival skills for when the world inevitably looks like it did in the Mad Max trilogy; hopefully, large numbers of voters understand that electing a woman with regressive policy ideas is not a progressive thing to do, much like with Margaret Thatcher.

[taavi.livejournal.com]

The book banning thing is an urban myth, apparently.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Nope; whilst no books were removed from the libraries on multiple occasions the issue was raised by Palin with Wasila's librarian. Palin also requested that the librarian resign - as a sign of loyalty (http://www.mceades.com/graphics/palin_article1.jpg)

value 4 $ ?

[decrypt-era.livejournal.com]

another sign of how completely unfit McCain is for the office of President.

What do you think of the idea that Republicans want to lose this one?

Re: value 4 $ ?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I doubt it. Like most political parties they're addicted to power, and power at all costs.

Re: value 4 $ ?

[cheshirenoir.livejournal.com]

I think krjalk originally suggested that one to me. It works this way:
The Republican inner circle realise they have seriously screwed a) the Economy, b) the Middle East and c) the Environment. They have hard evidence that at least 2 of these will come to a terrible head in the next 2-3 year timeframe. So they UNelect themselves so when the brown stinky stuff hits the loud swirly thing, the DemoFallGuys are in power to take the rap with the short attention span voters, guaranteeing power forevermore for the Republican New World Order.

As a political move, if you were working the long term angles it's not bad. The whole Sen Palintine thing gives them an excuse to purge the extreme religious right from their own party when the time is right. "It was these loonies who cost us the LAST election (purge purge purge)"

Re: value 4 $ ?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, but you're thinking in terms of logical and term-based strategy. :) There's two flaws in that argument. Firstly, giving up power voluntarily is so extraordinary rare one can honestly say there is an institutional psychology to never give it up regardless of the circumstances (I think of one government in Costa Rica that voluntarily relinquished power). Secondly, an entire term is far too long in politics; even if the situation in the middle-east, the economy and the environment is seriously screwed in four years time, they wouldn't care. They just need to get 50%+1 on one particular day in four years time. Everything else can go to hell.

[tempusfrangit.livejournal.com]

Get me OUT OF THIS COUNTRY.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I understand how you feel; I was in a similar state when Howard won the 2001 and 2004 elections (after the 2001 election I did leave the country for a year!). But at least for the next few months we, the rest of the world, needs you to your best to ensure that McCain is not elected.

[tempusfrangit.livejournal.com]

He was ARIZONA (where I am and have been) governor! I know what he's like! FFS.

[amazinggoatgirl.livejournal.com]

NOOOOOOOOOO then you can't vote! (Or they probably just won't count your vote.)

[tempusfrangit.livejournal.com]

It's just going to get worse. *headdesks*

[idyllic.livejournal.com]

What the post-convention bounces show is that Americans have a pretty short term memory. Obama did spectacularly after his convention, and now McCain bounced right back. Neither one will last. Minor slips, trips, and blunders will take place before long. I think Palin is very liable to say something mind-blowingly stupid, so it's best (for her) to say it sooner rather than later. Anything that happens in the week leading up to the election will have the greatest effect. That's why they're trying to shield her from the media. This just shows how insecure Republicans are with her, and how unbelievably irresponsible they are. They know she's just a time bomb of mistakes waiting to go off. It's sickening how she allows herself to be used and treated this way. Makes the whole "will women vote for her?" argument even more laughable.

In the end, I don't think adding Palin to the ticket is going to make an earth-shattering difference. VP's never do. If anything, it will come from the perception that John McCain is a moderate "maverick" and Obama is a loony lefty urban elitist black Muslim man.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

That's a very interesting comment; I suppose strategically it shifted the attention away from Obama's message for a short period (and I guess, given how good the Democrat convention was, it was tactically necessary). As you suggest, she's a ticking time bomb that will probably prove to be extremely detrimental sometime in the next thirty days or so.