The election would have been finished by the time this column is published. However, allow me to expound on the emerging truth that almost always accompanies civil exercises like elections.
Regardless of whoever won, the public would have been exposed to a level of politics that can only be described as dirty!
This writer herself didn’t have much difficulty choosing whom to vote [for]. My strategy: prefer the bad from the worst. Read between the lines and you will know whose name I placed on my ballot. Religion was not the slightest of my consideration. As elections are over, this column cannot be accused of influencing voters at all!
As proven in history, the most religious ones did not emerge to be good leaders of their nations. We’ve seen that in the Philippines! I regard it as an added liability if someone is perceived to be loyal to a certain religion or group. Why? Because his judgement is always considered suspect and policies he implements need to “please” his chosen alliances!
Anyone who is affiliated with a group, (whether social, civic, economic, or political) will find that there is one nagging issue that confronts him and the general public. That is hypocrisy!
Indeed, hypocrisy is the name of the game. It is a fact that politics is DIRTY BUSINESS! The hypocrisy that surrounds it makes it so!
For one, the former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was ousted by his deputy Julia Gillard for many reasons we have already heard. However, it is appalling for someone like Tony Abbott to say that that was no way to treat a PM. Such hypocrisy makes my blood boil!
If they had the numbers during the time of Howard, Abbott and company would have also done that to him! They knew in his last term that he was becoming unpopular and indeed he lost the elections, thankfully.
How did Tony Abbott get to his position as the incumbent leader of the opposition? Didn’t he and his colleagues in the Liberal Party oust Malcolm Turnbull?
It would have also been helpful if media was not paid by rich mining corporations for expensive advertisements so they could do their jobs well.
The public should have been properly informed that those mines were (really) Australia’s property. It is Australia as a whole and not just the mining giants that should profit from the huge income being generated.
Here comes Julia Gillard who has the difficult task of garnering public acceptance so that more human and just polices can be implemented. She has to make sure that her agenda will be acceptable to everyone, not just the wealthy or the underprivileged or the Christians, or some few influential groups.
There were also some members of media who demonstrated hypocrisy. They described Kevin Rudd’s “goodbye” speech as pathetic, sad, etc.
“Buffoon” is one term a talk show host called the group that orchestrated Rudd’s ‘demise’ from the highest office. Yet, he forgot to consider that this group would not have acted so if they were not bombarded with complaints and ugly stories coming from their own ranks – the MEDIA. Was it not media who published Rudd’s difficult behaviour?
They were quick to find someone else to blame but never acknowledged that media was the main catalyst for all those negative publicity.
Instead of concentrating on more important issues like climate change policies which the Liberals voted off in Parliament, Rudd could have done his job well.
Abbott’s records also show a lot about his being an avid surfer and jogger, an exercise freak! A real carbon copy of his so-called “idol” John Howard. The way he elevated WORK CHOICES as the saviour of Australian economy is equally enraging! He swears Work Choices as a policy of the Howard regime is dead, yet he “cannot guarantee” aspects of that horrible system he supported fully will not be pursued.
So typical of the man, whose brilliant way of saving public money is to cut funding for health – less nurses, GP’s, emergency health care, etc.. Yet, the surpluses (obtained through high taxes) during his former boss’ time were used for “buying” votes for Howard’s re-election bid. Howard gave one-off payments to low and middle income earners. Abbott’s track record as the former health minister shows that he contributed much to the fast disintegration of public health in Australia.
Tony Abbott was quick to criticize Gillard as having the same programs like Rudd’s. Yet, his “Pacific solution” to the refugee issue is a Howard plan. Nauru is not even a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees! Most of those processed in Nauru during Howard’s time turned out to be genuine refugees. The Liberals must stop scare tactics regarding the boat people issue.
When it comes to group dynamics, you cannot rule out politics. Hence, I am proud to say I am affiliated with just one group. It is one that is relevant and has no pretensions about its objectives.
My group, the UPAAA (University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Australia) has simple yet achievable projects that are lasting. We try to support Filipino scholars because we believe in the value of education as a way out of poverty. I prefer to have a supportive role, helping to promote its projects and activities instead of accepting more responsibility. I was offered the position of area coordinator which I declined though I appreciate their kind gesture.
As UPAAA celebrates it 30th anniversary this year, allow me to congratulate the group and its officers and members. Cheers to a job being done well continuously over 30 years and beyond. – ?