The Laberal Party
The name says it all. In Australia, the two main parties are the Liberals (conservatives) and Labor (once socialist in tendencies).
For all intents and purposes these two parties are now virtually wings of the same neo-conservative political system, hence the term "laberal" -- the merger, if you will, of two bands of people seeking to win the middle ground.
Unfortunately, in so doing, it is the conservative philosophy which has well and truly captured this middle ground. Fortunately, it could be a lot worse. Unfortunately, the prognosis is that it will; that is, the loss of any sense of equity and compassion in the mad rush to the fiscal trough.
It leaves those of us who believe the body politic is more that a collection of "Homo Economicus", that we are more than our pocket books, and social life is more than working to earn so we can work to earn more so we can work to earn more etc. ad nauseum. Sometimes I think our capitalist based system is like a huge real-time game of Monoply; and the resources are getting sucked up by fewer and fewer players as time goes by.
Oh well, if democracy -- even our warped one -- was not so utterly precious, I would think about leaving it. But, looking around the world, nothing works better. But, and it's a very big BUT, it will only work well if there is an enlightened electorate, with strict rules of political behaviour, and equal opportunity for all to get involved. Not through moribund party machines, and not, certainly, through the exchange of dollars.
Maybe I'll start a counter to the Laberals. What fun.
Enough for now.
P B White
For all intents and purposes these two parties are now virtually wings of the same neo-conservative political system, hence the term "laberal" -- the merger, if you will, of two bands of people seeking to win the middle ground.
Unfortunately, in so doing, it is the conservative philosophy which has well and truly captured this middle ground. Fortunately, it could be a lot worse. Unfortunately, the prognosis is that it will; that is, the loss of any sense of equity and compassion in the mad rush to the fiscal trough.
It leaves those of us who believe the body politic is more that a collection of "Homo Economicus", that we are more than our pocket books, and social life is more than working to earn so we can work to earn more so we can work to earn more etc. ad nauseum. Sometimes I think our capitalist based system is like a huge real-time game of Monoply; and the resources are getting sucked up by fewer and fewer players as time goes by.
Oh well, if democracy -- even our warped one -- was not so utterly precious, I would think about leaving it. But, looking around the world, nothing works better. But, and it's a very big BUT, it will only work well if there is an enlightened electorate, with strict rules of political behaviour, and equal opportunity for all to get involved. Not through moribund party machines, and not, certainly, through the exchange of dollars.
Maybe I'll start a counter to the Laberals. What fun.
Enough for now.
P B White
posted by Peter W | 8:50 am
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