October Thread #2: Decision 2004

[Peter_AUS]

The stupid thing is, we go to our polls in three days time to vote for a new government here in Australia, and similar things could be asked as well.

We have a leader, who lied about certain things, won the last election because of those lies, is running again for his fourth term in office as Prime Minsiter (yes they can stay in power for as long as the people elect them to), has lied about the war in Iraq, WMD, we are targets of Terrorists, have Terrorists cells (supposedly) here in Australia as well.

Yet the likely hood is that he will be re-elected, because of scare campaigning and probably lies regarding his opposition as well, and as you said, "People don't like changing horses in mid stream". He even campaigns that under the opposition, Interest rates will skyrocket up, the economy will collapse and we will be worse under their government.

This comming from a person that has been sitting on 8 billion $$$$$$'s and giving it away in election promises.

Bought about 10 of the American War Tanks, that we can't transport as we don't have the facilities to transport them, they are obsolete and are very costly to run. Bought Submarines, that don't work properly, Helicopters that aren't spec'd properly and need heavy modifications, etc.

Yet the likely hood he will be re-elected.

Go figure that one out.

Oh yes, he also has us now involved with Free Trade Agreement with the USA, which we have redress over, if something goes wrong. No right of appeal to anyone, as the USA has the right to tell us what to do. Which is completely wrong.

[paulnj]

PETE, tell that guy....................

NEVER MAKE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL(USA) HAHAHA ;)

[Todd Patten]

Wow Peter. You simply underline that people, in groups, act much the same way! I did not realize how close you guys were to election time. I am going to make sure I follow it. Do you have any recommended web sites that cover news in your region? I'd love to check it out.

Honestly, I figured that Howard was in a bit of trouble given that, at least at one point in time, the very large majority of Australian citizens were not in favor of commiting troops to the efforts in Iraq. Wasn't there a confidence vote a while back?

Here's the thing, and it's been tested and proven for millenia, if you create an atmosphere of fear in your citizenry you can make them do anything. Some of the most ruthless leaders in history mastered the art of making the population feel threatened and using that fear to their advantage. Very rational and logical people will react in a collective illogical manner. It's quite remarkable. Shoot, look at this country. Even though it has be discounted by our intelligence agencies, countless investigative reports, and our own congressional committees, a large majority of Americans STILL believe that Saddam Hussein was behind the September 11th attacks, and had intimate contact with Al Queda. Why? Because George Bush and his crew managed to convince the public of this without a single shred of true evidence.

Personally, when I hear people say that they are willing to give up privacy and basic rights given by God himself, in an effort to be "safer", I shake my head and realize we as a country are moving towards a very dangerous end. Seems to me that this is occurring in places outside my borders. Very frightening. I fear the enemy within more.

[mjm]

Todd, can you explain to me why I should vote for president? I see no reason to vote for the president, he LOST the popular vote last time and is in the White House now. That tells me that my vote means absolutely nothing.

I live in California and the state is already going for Kerry (who I would vote for), so my vote wouldn't really change anything for California or the country.

Thanks.