Tracking Labor Govt's Promises...

[Kennethkohsg]

I saw Kevin giving a 'snappy salute' to George Bush on the tele this morning. That was gold. I bet he cringes when that is re-played for him.

Phil.

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... risk further similar "Bali bombing" incidents occuring in the near future?

Do you honestly think that next fast-emerging economic superpower nations of China and India are going to think that Australia is as fully "independant" and "sovereign" a Nation as Australia has claimed itself to be when it comes to dealings in the regional Asia-Pacific politics?


For your further comments and discussion, please.

Thank you.


Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[Kennethkohsg]

No change since my last update. I wonder what he's been doing for the last month!

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Dear Sailor,

1. Dennis Shandahan believes that KR has been reportedly busy with "telling" Wayne Swan as his new Australian Federal Treasuruer, how to "fine-tune" and further refine the May 2008 Budget, so that the ALP Federal Govt can be seen as delivering on its various political promises made during the last Federal Elections Campaign as far as the local Australians are concerned.

2. Dennis further believes that "Rudd places a “huge premium” on delivering promises and the Treasurer’s task has been to frame a budget with political priorities which shape the economic goals."

3. Dennis further suggests that " The economic cloth has been cut to fit the political suit.

4. Consequently, Dennis argues that

a. "Popular calls to limit the tax cuts to ease inflation have been ignored."

b. "So, in five months there have been as many reasons for delivering the tax cuts and no real change despite economic arguments to the contrary."

http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com...heaustralian/comments/not_the_economy_stupid/


5. For your further comments and discussion, please.


6. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[Kennethkohsg]

Rudds performance so far (especially on the world stage) has made Howard look like a small minded, rank amateur.

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Dear Evand,

1. KR's performance seems to be one of trying to "suck up" to America, on Australia's behalf.

2. KR certainly sound/look "hollow" and lacking in true honesty and sincerity to me.

3. Likewise, the present Chinese and Indian Govts may similarly view him and his new Australia, as such, too.

4. To the Chinese Govt, KR and his Australia are clearly "meddling in its domestic affairs" during his last visit to China, as far as his speech regarding the Chinese human rights record is concerned.

5. Consequently, after KR's recent trip to China, some of the Chinese state enterprises have started to withdraw their investment proposals in Australia recently as both the FIRB and the Australian Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan are reportedly taking a "long" time to approve their foreign investment applications in Australia.

6. For your further comments and discussion, please.

7. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[Kennethkohsg]

On your second, what can he say?

He did get up the Chinese regarding human rights issues in Tibet.

When Howard was questioned about his silence on human rights issues, he replied:

"It was only brought up in private meetings"

HAHA!! yeah right!

Rudds performance so far (especially on the world stage) has made Howard look like a small minded, rank amateur.

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Dear Evand,

1. I believe that John Howard discreetly did what he did behind closed door meeting between the 2 National leaders, in the "political correct" manner which is acceptable to the Chinese Govt as having conveyed Australia's real concerns while at the same time, continung to show "respect" for China's sovereignity rights to rule the way it wants to.

2. Was there any subsequent adverse consequences over what John Howard has done previously?

3. For your further comments and discussion, please.

4. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[sailor]

Forgive me KH...are you saying this "tongue in cheek", or are you deadly serious? I acknowledge KR has WS "under instruction" re the budget, but fair dinkum...it doesn't take 142 days...unless ofcourse if WS is as thick as a....[/COLOR]

2. Dennis further believes that "Rudd places a “huge premium” on delivering promises and the Treasurer’s task has been to frame a budget with political priorities which shape the economic goals."
Rhetoric? The banks control all the money...not the govt.

3. Dennis further suggests that " The economic cloth has been cut to fit the political suit.

4. Consequently, Dennis argues that

a. "Popular calls to limit the tax cuts to ease inflation have been ignored."
Not surprised. Most pollies are the same IMHO...promises promises to get the vote, but fail to deliver the goods.

b. "So, in five months there have been as many reasons for delivering the tax cuts and no real change despite economic arguments to the contrary."

http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com...heaustralian/comments/not_the_economy_stupid/

5. For your further comments and discussion, please.


6. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

Kenneth, I just find it sooooo very difficult to take politics seriously. Pollies tell lies, withhold the truth, make unilateral decisions with no consideration of the views of their electorate, make false promises, talk in riddles and with forked tongue.

Still twill be most interesting to see how KR tries to deliver on his promises, and I'll be watching the May08 budget with keen interest.

 

[Kennethkohsg]

Kenneth, I just find it sooooo very difficult to take politics seriously. Pollies tell lies, withhold the truth, make unilateral decisions with no consideration of the views of their electorate, make false promises, talk in riddles and with forked tongue.

Still twill be most interesting to see how KR tries to deliver on his promises, and I'll be watching the May08 budget with keen interest.

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Dear Sailor,

1. To me, Politics in the English-speaking Western World and real essence of politics in China/Singapore are quite different in nature, as we are essentially talking about the different inner-true social-cultural core values between the different countries.

2. In China and as in Singapore, which are both conservative but economic progressive-looking "socialist-capitalistic" societies, in politics, we are essentially talking about the overall National Interests as well as the "moral right" of the "elected"/ "appointed" leaders to "rule" ( and serve) the common people, for their own Collective good and in the National Interests for the Nation, as bestowed by the Divine Will.

3. In these socially conservative societies, we can "ill-afford" some "by-partisan" politics obtained through the popular vote system, as used by many English-speaking democratic societies, like those presently observed in the USA, UK and Australia etc.

4. The difference in the core political values between these 2 different types of societies will include,

"National Interests precedes Individual Rights",
"Survival of a Nation" comes first before "Social Fairness",
"Personal Mandate to Rule" as bestowed by Divine Will will precede "Democrary"

5. Please note that given his diplomatic background, I know that KR is very "good" with his words and his "people-skills" as well as in projecting a highly "professional" and pleasing outlook to the Australian peoples, at this point in time.

6. However, in real politics, we will need to look deeper for his "substantive" leadership qualities and personal character to see if they indeed truly "fits in" with the core "Australian " values/culture and whether Australia will truly benefit from his leadership and Prime Ministership eventually, in due course, as social historians in Australia will subsequently report concerning his present performance as the Prime Minister of Australia.

7. However, I have noted that, of late, the quality of debate in the Australian Parliament House has somewhat "degenerated" to a certain extent such that it is no longer "appealing" nor "educational " to me any more.

8. For your further comments and discussion, please.

9. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[Davidr]

...Politics in the English-speaking Western World and real essence of politics in China/Singapore are quite different in nature....

2. In China and as in Singapore, which are both conservative but economic progressive-looking "socialist-capitalistic" societies

I find it interesting that you indicate that the democracy of Singapore and the communist state of China are interchangeable when espousing political ideology.

Curious.

 

[Kennethkohsg]

I find it interesting that you indicate that the democracy of Singapore and the communist state of China are interchangeable when espousing political ideology.

Curious.[/QUOTE


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Dear Davidr,


1. Singapore has always been a "Socialist -Democratic" country when it first became an independant sovereign nation in 1965.

2. China, on the other hand, has recently adopted the "Capitalist" economic system, when it first begun to open itself up to its external world, following its recent economic reforms introduced by Zeng Hsiao Peng.

3. Consequently, China is no longer the same pure "Communist" country which we all known previously, as it has actually adopted the social-capitalist economic system while continuing with a centralised Govt structure and retaining its centralised political control from Beijing.

4. Thus, with recent change in the Chinese Laws permitting private business legal ownership and recent change in property laws in China, I see modern day China as being more "Socialist" in nature, rather than a real "Communist" country, in today's context.

5. Consequently, after their recent return to Mainland China' sovereignity, both Hong Kong and Macao were allowed to keep their present "democratic" voting system practices as well as their Capitalist economic systems, which they have previously inherited from their respective Eurpoean colonial masters, under a more progressive and forward-looking China's "One Country, 2 Systems" concept.

6. The only significant political change that the Chinese (Central) Govt has made in these 2 countries, is the political appointment for their respective Chief Executive Officer by the Chinese Central Govt based in Beijing.

7. For your further comments and discussion, please.

8. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[sailor]

Ken...my thoughts:

ok...I'm with you here....this makes logical sense.[/COLOR]
3. In these socially conservative societies, we can "ill-afford" some "by-partisan" politics obtained through the popular vote system, as used by many English-speaking democratic societies, like those presently observed in the USA, UK and Australia etc.
Yes, have to ensure the values are maintained.
4. The difference in the core political values between these 2 different types of societies will include,

"National Interests precedes Individual Rights",
"Survival of a Nation" comes first before "Social Fairness",
"Personal Mandate to Rule" as bestowed by Divine Will will precede "Democrary"

5. Please note that given his diplomatic background, I know that KR is very "good" with his words and his "people-skills" as well as in projecting a highly "professional" and pleasing outlook to the Australian peoples, at this point in time.
He's got the "gift of the gab" alright. Seems more polished than JH in his presentations and less hassled. Time will tell. Tis early days.

6. However, in real politics, we will need to look deeper for his "substantive" leadership qualities and personal character to see if they indeed truly "fits in" with the core "Australian " values/culture and whether Australia will truly benefit from his leadership and Prime Ministership eventually, in due course, as social historians in Australia will subsequently report concerning his present performance as the Prime Minister of Australia.
I think it goes beyond Aussie values and culture. Pollies in Oz have the privilege of being able to make a "conscience" vote. This means they can vote in Parliament on any issue in any way they personally choose. And this might be counter to what the majority of people in their electorate actually want.
For example: If the govt want to outlaw the baking of white bread and wanted us all to eat wholemeal (cos they say it is better for us), the pollie can vote against it, even if everyone in his electorate wanted wholemeal. He/she can vote as they personally choose. So my point is that our pollies do not "represent the wishes" of their constituents.
This sticks in my craw! Pollies are supposed to represent the people's wishes. This does not always occurr.
Pollies are there for themselves and what they want...not for the people they are supposed to be representing, or the values or cultures of the people they represent.
IMHO KR is no different.
7. However, I have noted that, of late, the quality of debate in the Australian Parliament House has somewhat "degenerated" to a certain extent such that it is no longer "appealing" nor "educational " to me any more.
Agreed. I sooooo totally resent the punative and childish name calling, the side-tracking, and the pettiness of the debates in Parliament. Tis not professional and I consider it a total waste of taxpayers money, to waste valuable "Parliament debate time" in this manner.
8. For your further comments and discussion, please.

9. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[Kennethkohsg]

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Dear Evand,

1. KR's performance seems to be one of trying to "suck up" to America, on Australia's behalf.

5. Consequently, after KR's recent trip to China, some of the Chinese state enterprises have started to withdraw their investment proposals in Australia recently as both the FIRB and the Australian Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan are reportedly taking a "long" time to approve their foreign investment applications in Australia.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

********************************
Dear Evand,

1. Greg Sheridan, in his article, entitled, " How to lose friends" has reportedly criticised Kevin Rudd and his new ALP foreign relations perspectives as follows:

a. "THE worst foreign policy decision the Rudd Government has made was to abolish the quadrilateral security dialogue between the US, Japan, India and Australia."

b " Given the ferocious Indian reaction which I reported on Saturday, it begins to look as though the Rudd Government, in order to suck up to Beijing, has incurred quite a bit of utterly gratuitous damage with Japan and India. And that's frankly pretty dumb."

c. "The official Japanese position at the moment is that the quads are on hold, whereas the official Australian position is that they are utterly dead."

d. " The concern that the Rudd Government is obsessed with China and neglectful of other Asian relationships also exists among Southeast Asian leaders. "

e. "At a recent speech by Rudd to an East Asia conference in Sydney, the Indonesian Defence Minister, Juwono Sudarsono, the most gentle and friendly of men, took the unusual step of complaining on Australian television that Rudd had said nothing of Indonesia or ASEAN in his foreign policy vision."

f. " Officials in Thailand have communicated the feeling that the Rudd Government is obsessed with China and that they are not on the Rudd Government's radar at all, a feeling which exists in other Southeast Asian nations as well."

g. "But among strategic and official circles these decisions, and the China obsession more broadly, is playing very badly."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23661798-7583,00.html

2. For your further comments and discussion where neccessary, please.

3. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[evand]

Kenneth

If you call what KR is doing is sucking up. Then what do you call JH doing in his term. I have a name for it but i cant type it on this family forum.

As our environment minister has said previously. Admittedly in his more idealistic times but the point holds true:

"I'd rather die on my feet then live on my knees"

Beside that i find the verbosity of your posts difficult to respond to.

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Dear Evand,

1. Greg Sheridan, in his article, entitled, " How to lose friends" has reportedly criticised Kevin Rudd and his new ALP foreign relations perspectives as follows:

a. "THE worst foreign policy decision the Rudd Government has made was to abolish the quadrilateral security dialogue between the US, Japan, India and Australia."

b " Given the ferocious Indian reaction which I reported on Saturday, it begins to look as though the Rudd Government, in order to suck up to Beijing, has incurred quite a bit of utterly gratuitous damage with Japan and India. And that's frankly pretty dumb."

c. "The official Japanese position at the moment is that the quads are on hold, whereas the official Australian position is that they are utterly dead."

d. " The concern that the Rudd Government is obsessed with China and neglectful of other Asian relationships also exists among Southeast Asian leaders. "

e. "At a recent speech by Rudd to an East Asia conference in Sydney, the Indonesian Defence Minister, Juwono Sudarsono, the most gentle and friendly of men, took the unusual step of complaining on Australian television that Rudd had said nothing of Indonesia or ASEAN in his foreign policy vision."

f. " Officials in Thailand have communicated the feeling that the Rudd Government is obsessed with China and that they are not on the Rudd Government's radar at all, a feeling which exists in other Southeast Asian nations as well."

g. "But among strategic and official circles these decisions, and the China obsession more broadly, is playing very badly."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23661798-7583,00.html

2. For your further comments and discussion where neccessary, please.

3. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[buzzlightyear]

Aren't we jumping the gun to judge the current Fed Government? The budget is next week, and at least on economic grounds after the implementation and re-prioritsation of government spending will we be better placed to make a judgement call on their direction.

I know this is generally a conservatively biased forum but before we shoot them down in flames, let's wait to hear and see their detailed plans.

 

[Ausprop]

there's more to governing tho than just delivering a budget. I find it very concerning that the KR team are snubbing our international friends and bagging John Howard doesn't detract from that

 

[evand]

"Snubbing our international friends and "not sucking up to them" are two completely different things.

Can you give examples of "snubbing"

there's more to governing tho than just delivering a budget. I find it very concerning that the KR team are snubbing our international friends and bagging John Howard doesn't detract from that

 

[Ausprop]

we are snubbing by sucking, or are you saying sucking is not snubbing? I am getting confused, bottom line is aint good diplomacy and highlights immaturity in government at best


"the Rudd Government, in order to suck up to Beijing, has incurred quite a bit of utterly gratuitous damage with Japan and India. And that's frankly pretty dumb. "

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23661798-7583,00.html

 

[TheAnalyst]

we are snubbing by sucking, or are you saying sucking is not snubbing? I am getting confused, bottom line is aint good diplomacy and highlights immaturity in government at best


"the Rudd Government, in order to suck up to Beijing, has incurred quite a bit of utterly gratuitous damage with Japan and India. And that's frankly pretty dumb. "

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23661798-7583,00.html

1. Rudd acts like a new born cow in a tigar land. He thought his mandrain speaking would help him to influence China and US in the world stage. He is too naive. I do not think the whole labor government is like Rudd who was suched into China. Rudd may back fire soon for this stupidity.
2. He does not understand China at all. The Chinese government does not treat him like Howard. Howard got more respect from Chinese governemnt than the pro-china Rudd. Rudd has not learnt the Chinese government business. He only knew back-door or coruption in China, but he does not know at all about Chinese politics.

 

[Kennethkohsg]

1. Rudd acts like a new born cow in a tigar land. He thought his mandrain speaking would help him to influence China and US in the world stage. He is too naive. I do not think the whole labor government is like Rudd who was suched into China. Rudd may back fire soon for this stupidity.
2. He does not understand China at all. The Chinese government does not treat him like Howard. Howard got more respect from Chinese governemnt than the pro-china Rudd. Rudd has not learnt the Chinese government business. He only knew back-door or coruption in China, but he does not know at all about Chinese politics.

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Dear TheAnalyst,

1. Very well said here indeed.

2. Thank you.


Dear Evand,

1. I believe that TheAnalyst has sufficiently answered your previous post earlier, by his post here... I rest my case.

2. Thank you.

Cheers,
Kenneth KOH

 

[sailor]

Update 12 June 2008

ALP promises collected: 247
Broken: 0
Kept: 5
Remaining: 242

The current federal government has been in power for 192 days.

 

[LynnH]

Still only 5 promises kept? And they were all kept within a short time of being elected. What has he been doing for the other 100+++ days???

I wonder if anyone has been keeping a tally of the number of committees/inquiries/etc and general gab-fests that have been announced???

Cheers
LynnH

 

[seank]

ALP promises collected: 247
Broken: 0
Kept: 5
Remaining: 242

The current federal government has been in power for 192 days.

update 13-june
Broken:1
Front page courier mail - Rudd backflips on Ipswich Motorway upgrade. He was quoted on 3 separate occasions his commitment to the full upgrade, which now is not going ahead. 1 in 5, at this rate he will be breaking another 47.