14 Comments
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Robynne Burchell's avatar

I'm so afraid for future generations and so angry that a Labor government would betray this country so egregiously. I cannot see a future for my grandchildren, the environment or this country in general. We are heading toward becoming a vassal state ruled by despots.

Elizabeth Chandler's avatar

The sight of PM Albanese holding up a Medicare card with a silly grin on his face is emblematic of his “do as little as possible” attitude

towards the public , while bending over backwards to appease and obey orders from foreign nations and corporate donors .

We are in dire need of leadership which has top priority for the safety and welfare of the Australian people ( every one of them in this multicultural nation ). This is sadly lacking when social harmony is most needed .

Kate Schroeder's avatar

Great thoughts Joel, I have no idea where all this is headed. I talk to my adult children about politics a lot….too much they would say . They don’t really want to know. But I note a certain recklessness in their financial decisions that tells me ….its play hard today, because tomorrow might not come .

John Bloomfield's avatar

The cause of our ever worsening predicament is inseparably linked to corruption of the nation's political & democratic processes. While political corruption has always quitely existed it has swamped the public arena since neoliberalist elites gained control of mass media post the 1960's. Advances in broadcasting technology increased the ability & reach of wealthy oligarchic elites to shape the pubic comprehension of events in favour of capital interests. The omnipresent subtle distorted reportage of reality prepared the soil for general acceptance of preferred 'alternative truths' that serve to promote capital/fascist ends.

Corporations also successfully infitrated academic and educational institutions ensuring dissemination of their preferred 'orthodox' socio economic constructs - a most important step to generate popular consent for policies that immiserate & disempower working class citizenry.

The Powell Memo of 1971 spells out the planned actions.

Today our politicians are puppets of big money interests - they don't serve us citizens, they serve their own interests of retaining elected positions by kow towing to media barons and ruling Trumpists while accumulating ever greater speculative personal wealth and after-politic board positions.

They are a pox on our once great nation - gutless parasites selling out our nation.

WMan's avatar

As Antonio Gramsci, the Italian philosopher and political theorist famously wrote in his Prison Notebooks, “The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: Now is the time of monsters.”

Elizabeth Chandler's avatar

We certainly have monsters aplenty at this time , including those unelected entities who seek to control the policies of this government .

blindboy's avatar

Maintain hope. Optimism is a harder call.

Matt Allworth's avatar

Most social schisms are horizontal, between classes/races etc, with comfortable separation. This is rift is vertical, temporal, right down the middle of families. Will make for some very tense dining tables.

Anne Lanham's avatar

Thanks Joel. We all need to get our heads out of the sand

Elizabeth Chandler's avatar

Thank you , Joel, for this important post . It is essential for our children’s future that we continue to teach and demonstrate

ethical , moral , and empathetic guidelines . Also encourage critical thinking and asking questions to gain answers about

what may be happening in the world . One thing is certain . These principles will not come from government or

corporate media , as George Orwell stated so clearly . It is down to “We the People “.

Mark Dando's avatar

You've lost me with ' Mossad-backed violent protests in Iran'. I don't care who backs Iranians protesting against the murderous religious fundamentalist regime in Iran. They have the right to rise up against their oppressors, just as the Palestinians do.

Ricky's avatar

There is no murderous religious fundamentalist regime in Iran. You have been sold a lie by the mainstream media.

Mark Dando's avatar

Good grief - and 3 likes. I was hoping for an explanation from the author. The enemy of my enemy is my friend is such a shallow take. Time to unsubscribe

Ricky's avatar

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.