Re: Rudd. I'm happy with his progress.
Why is that Julia? Isn't it wise to get wise people to discuss/debate (and learn) an issue before issuing policy? Surely this is a way to bring forward good policy instead of ****e policy that needs to be dismantled later (eg 'work choices')?
In principle, yes. But endless talking is empty. Mr Rudd is behaving like the bureaucrat he is, overlaid with his 'diplomat' smooth robotic delivery.
Btw I am a swinging voter. Have voted for both Labor and the Libs, federally and in State elections. Depends on the personalities, stated beliefs and policies of each at the time.
What are these 'gestures' and posturing you speak of? Sounds like what certain elements of the RW media would carp on about but I hardly think it is based on any fact. Some may view Kyoto and saying sorry as pure gesture/posture but there is a hell of a lot of people that appreciated said gestures, myself included. What are the other gestures that are meaningless or duplicitous to you?
OK, Kyoto: would have been meaningful once, but by the time he ratified it was outdated and meaningless. To the critics: an empty gesture: to the faithful supporters, the keeping of a promise. Depends entirely on where you're coming from.
Sorry Day: oh dear, so much emotion at the time. It was going to cure everything. Just show me one aboriginal person whose life is better as a result.
The 2020 Summit: a feel good exercise. Those who were invited were thrilled, regarded it as their opportunity to personally convey their vision for Australia to the Prime Minister. In the event a lot of words were cast about, many promises were made, people felt 'heard', 'listened to' and believed they had done their bit for solving all the nation's difficulties. Now all these months later, tell me how many actions have resulted from this event?
Imo it was a populist stunt designed to have the population think, oh wow, Kevin 07 is a man of the people. He is going to govern by true democracy, giving us all our chance to contribute to the policy making of the country.
Yeah, right.
And now there is going to be another summit, this time for heads of local government. We already have the heads of local government meeting.
It is to be a one day affair. With 100 or more attendees. With Kevin 07 smiling beatifically over the gathering. They will all go away feeling good and are all very excited to be going. Is there any expectation of anything actually happening as a result? I doubt it.
The "Education Revolution". Remember? the one where every student was to have their own computer. They're still waiting.
The solar panel rebate plan: Moxjo has adequately responded here.
And to whoever said the suppliers were run off their feet, that's not what I heard via ABC News. The spokesperson for the suppliers (this was about two weeks ago) said they were receiving good orders but for much smaller panels than previously. Overall bottom line is well down.
And then there's his obvious egocentricity in feeling the need to be rushing about the world, spreading his vision to all, regardless of whether they are interested, viz his suggestion for a new Asia/Pacific body. The silence from the other countries on that was breathtaking.
And I genuinely felt sorry for him delivering his brilliant address (stating the obvious about the financial crisis) to the UN in recent hours. The chamber was all but empty and apparently the few people attending went to sleep!
But I should qualify the above by saying that I do think he was right to go to New York/Washington in this visit. Not for the original reason, but to be there amongst discussions of the biggest financial crisis for decades.
So all up, I'm not intrinsically anti-Labor. But Kevin 07 just doesn't do it for me. I actually prefer the vocally challenged Ms Gillard who seems to make comments which are to the point and pretty much gets on with the job.
Never thought I'd say that!