Help!!! how do you determine whether your in the Left Faction or Centre Unity (right).

I really don't know.

Google both, look up their wiki entries and pick the one you feel is closer to your beliefs.

Labor Left. Firmly against privatisation and I am for the traditional labor values.

James Bluntus wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 2:49pm:

Labor Left. Firmly against privatisation and I am for the traditional labor values.

There you go.  :)

Just beware of extremism. I've never known any extreme to work.

# wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 2:52pm:

James Bluntus wrote on Sep 11th, 2010 at 2:49pm: Labor Left. Firmly against privatisation and I am for the traditional labor values. There you go.  :) Just beware of extremism. I've never known any extreme to work.

Well, reading the Wiki article, I think what is killing the ALP is having the Centre Unity in control in NSW and to a certain extent Federal Labor even though Gillard is from the Left/leaning over to the Right. That is why the ALP have abandoned their values of the old. Reading "Betrayal" by Simon Benson. ALP head office sought to have the left back in control of the NSW ALP. That is why Tripodi was ousted by Rees. Unfortunately, Centre Unity and the "Terrigals" still held the majority vote in the Caucus and as a result Rees failed and Kennelly won over Rees. But, the 2 people that started all this revolving door leadership was Bitar and Arbib ousting Iemma because he was going poorly in the polls 1 year after an election and 3 years until an election. I predict if Kennelly takes a dip in preferred Premier, John Robertson will take up a lower house seat and will be Premier.

Leftist = scabs, bludges, Drug addicts, homosexual, cotton wool, political correctness, communist, socialist, over-population, open borders and no identity or culture, Globalism.

Right wing = Typical family values and respect, small business, anti immigration, common sense, truth, fairgo, Culture and National identity and all things Aussie. The want for Australia to be the best country in the world.

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 3:24pm:

Leftist = scabs, bludges, Drug addicts, homosexual, cotton wool, political correctness, communist, socialist, over-population, open borders and no identity or culture, Globalism. Right wing = Typical family values and respect, small business, anti immigration, common sense, truth, fairgo, Culture and National identity and all things Aussie. The want for Australia to be the best country in the world.

See what I meant about extremes? ::)

# wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 3:27pm:

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Sep 11th, 2010 at 3:24pm: Leftist = scabs, bludges, Drug addicts, homosexual, cotton wool, political correctness, communist, socialist, over-population, open borders and no identity or culture, Globalism. Right wing = Typical family values and respect, small business, anti immigration, common sense, truth, fairgo, Culture and National identity and all things Aussie. The want for Australia to be the best country in the world. See what I meant about extremes? ::)

LOL!!! Left for me:)

James Bluntus wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 3:06pm:

... Well, reading the Wiki article, I think what is killing the ALP is having the Centre Unity in control in NSW and to a certain extent Federal Labor even though Gillard is from the Left/leaning over to the Right. That is why the ALP have abandoned their values of the old. Reading "Betrayal" by Simon Benson. ALP head office sought to have the left back in control of the NSW ALP. That is why Tripodi was ousted by Rees. Unfortunately, Centre Unity and the "Terrigals" still held the majority vote in the Caucus and as a result Rees failed and Kennelly won over Rees. But, the 2 people that started all this revolving door leadership was Bitar and Arbib ousting Iemma because he was going poorly in the polls 1 year after an election and 3 years until an election. I predict if Kennelly takes a dip in preferred Premier, John Robertson will take up a lower house seat and will be Premier.

Labor is Australia's oldest political party. That's a problem: lots of historical baggage. As a member, you'll probably find the party both Machiavellian and sclerotic.

Politics, it's said, is the art of the possible. We can't always get what we want, but part is better than none. The trick is deciding how much compromise is too much.

If you haven't already done so, read The Prince http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1232. Contrary to the way he's generally interpreted, Machiavelli wasn't advocating the behaviours therein. He was just telling it like it was (and largely, still is).

You're young. Consult widely and think broadly. In pursuit of a goal, try to avoid letting your vision narrow. People often equate focus with narrow vision. The two are not synonymous.

Above all, don't let the bastards grind you down.  ;)

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 3:24pm:

Leftist = scabs, bludges, Drug addicts, homosexual, cotton wool, political correctness, communist, socialist, over-population, open borders and no identity or culture, Globalism. Right wing = Typical family values and respect, small business, anti immigration, common sense, truth, fairgo, Culture and National identity and all things Aussie. The want for Australia to be the best country in the world.

This is the distorted perceptual framing that was (very narrowly) defeated at the election. I don't believe most Australians want this kind of divisive culture-clash US FOX News channel psychopolitical rhetoric to invade our workplaces, families and social lives.

a fair go goes more with socialism than any other.

Deborahmac09 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 4:29pm:

a fair go goes more with socialism than any other.

And a WORKING 'go' with a mixed economy. As we have just seen in spain portugal and greece, socialism has a very big problem with being able to afford the life it demands.

# wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 3:47pm:

James Bluntus wrote on Sep 11th, 2010 at 3:06pm: ... Well, reading the Wiki article, I think what is killing the ALP is having the Centre Unity in control in NSW and to a certain extent Federal Labor even though Gillard is from the Left/leaning over to the Right. That is why the ALP have abandoned their values of the old. Reading "Betrayal" by Simon Benson. ALP head office sought to have the left back in control of the NSW ALP. That is why Tripodi was ousted by Rees. Unfortunately, Centre Unity and the "Terrigals" still held the majority vote in the Caucus and as a result Rees failed and Kennelly won over Rees. But, the 2 people that started all this revolving door leadership was Bitar and Arbib ousting Iemma because he was going poorly in the polls 1 year after an election and 3 years until an election. I predict if Kennelly takes a dip in preferred Premier, John Robertson will take up a lower house seat and will be Premier. Labor is Australia's oldest political party. That's a problem: lots of historical baggage. As a member, you'll probably find the party both Machiavellian and sclerotic. Politics, it's said, is the art of the possible. We can't always get what we want, but part is better than none. The trick is deciding how much compromise is too much. If you haven't already done so, read The Prince http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1232. Contrary to the way he's generally interpreted, Machiavelli wasn't advocating the behaviours therein. He was just telling it like it was (and largely, still is). You're young. Consult widely and think broadly. In pursuit of a goal, try to avoid letting your vision narrow. People often equate focus with narrow vision. The two are not synonymous. Above all, don't let the bastards grind you down.  ;)

And also remember that if you want to stay firmly in the left then get used to a life of not being any where near where the decisions are made. Like it or not, left-wing govts dont get elected in this country. the nearest we got was Whitlam who was centre-left and tainted the 'brand' so badly that left-wing govts wont get elected in ANYONE's memory.

longweekend58 wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 5:07pm:

... And also remember that if you want to stay firmly in the left then get used to a life of not being any where near where the decisions are made. Like it or not, left-wing govts dont get elected in this country. the nearest we got was Whitlam who was centre-left and tainted the 'brand' so badly that left-wing govts wont get elected in ANYONE's memory.

Good point. Labor now is to the right of where the Liberals were under Fraser. Does Australia really have much of a political left any more?

# wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 8:00pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Sep 11th, 2010 at 5:07pm: ... And also remember that if you want to stay firmly in the left then get used to a life of not being any where near where the decisions are made. Like it or not, left-wing govts dont get elected in this country. the nearest we got was Whitlam who was centre-left and tainted the 'brand' so badly that left-wing govts wont get elected in ANYONE's memory. Good point. Labor now is to the right of where the Liberals were under Fraser. Does Australia really have much of a political left any more?

Why do we want a left? find me a good left govt... if you can.

longweekend58 wrote on Sep 12^th, 2010 at 12:05am:

... Why do we want a left? ...

Balance.

I think this new government will be centrist - maybe a little left leaning initially, but it will not flourish to any great extent once their teething problems are sorted out. Gillard is a traditionalist at heart.

The opposition will have to reinvent themselves over the next 3 years if they want to win in 2013 and rid themselves completely of the Howard baggage that they've carried around since 2007.

James Bluntus wrote on Sep 11^th, 2010 at 2:21pm:

Help!!! how do you determine whether your in the Left Faction or Centre Unity (right). I really don't know.

Left, Right, Centre?

There all still brush strokes on the same canvas!

Look outside the square!

There is no such thing as left, centre, or right of any political party.  Its the same broken distorted arm controlled by the faceless pupet masters.

culldav wrote on Sep 12^th, 2010 at 11:23am:

There is no such thing as left, centre, or right of any political party.  Its the same broken distorted arm controlled by the faceless pupet masters.

Exactly. The biggest myth about the Labor party is that the factions have any kind of political values anymore. They are all about connections and political bloodlines.

Factions were traditionally a way to connect the party to its union base. Now, they are mere voting blocs, and even these are fracturing.

Left, right, centre-left, etc, mean nothing within the Labor party anymore. Gillard's from the Victorian left, but politically, she has favoured conservative policies and platforms.

One reason why Rudd is out is that he wasn't factionally aligned.

Just as there's no Catholic/Protestant split anymore, the factions also mean little now.

Karnal wrote on Sep 12^th, 2010 at 1:39pm:

culldav wrote on Sep 12th, 2010 at 11:23am: There is no such thing as left, centre, or right of any political party.  Its the same broken distorted arm controlled by the faceless pupet masters. Exactly. The biggest myth about the Labor party is that the factions have any kind of political values anymore. They are all about connections and political bloodlines. Factions were traditionally a way to connect the party to its union base. Now, they are mere voting blocs, and even these are fracturing. Left, right, centre-left, etc, mean nothing within the Labor party anymore. Gillard's from the Victorian left, but politically, she has favoured conservative policies and platforms. One reason why Rudd is out is that he wasn't factionally aligned. Just as there's no Catholic/Protestant split anymore, the factions also mean little now.

I'd have to disagree. The disease in the ALP at the moment is because of the Right wing of the party currently being in control.

James Bluntus wrote on Sep 12^th, 2010 at 11:11pm:

Karnal wrote on Sep 12th, 2010 at 1:39pm: culldav wrote on Sep 12th, 2010 at 11:23am: There is no such thing as left, centre, or right of any political party.  Its the same broken distorted arm controlled by the faceless pupet masters. Exactly. The biggest myth about the Labor party is that the factions have any kind of political values anymore. They are all about connections and political bloodlines. Factions were traditionally a way to connect the party to its union base. Now, they are mere voting blocs, and even these are fracturing. Left, right, centre-left, etc, mean nothing within the Labor party anymore. Gillard's from the Victorian left, but politically, she has favoured conservative policies and platforms. One reason why Rudd is out is that he wasn't factionally aligned. Just as there's no Catholic/Protestant split anymore, the factions also mean little now. I'd have to disagree. The disease in the ALP at the moment is because of the Right wing of the party currently being in control.

Perhaps you're right. But do you think the left would do a better job?

It seems to me that since Neville Wran, the NSW right's sole aim is to obtain and hold power. I'm not sure what the left want, but they are both just clubs within the Labor party - not causes or belief systems.

Karnal wrote on Sep 14^th, 2010 at 3:09pm:

James Bluntus wrote on Sep 12th, 2010 at 11:11pm: Karnal wrote on Sep 12th, 2010 at 1:39pm: culldav wrote on Sep 12th, 2010 at 11:23am: There is no such thing as left, centre, or right of any political party.  Its the same broken distorted arm controlled by the faceless pupet masters. Exactly. The biggest myth about the Labor party is that the factions have any kind of political values anymore. They are all about connections and political bloodlines. Factions were traditionally a way to connect the party to its union base. Now, they are mere voting blocs, and even these are fracturing. Left, right, centre-left, etc, mean nothing within the Labor party anymore. Gillard's from the Victorian left, but politically, she has favoured conservative policies and platforms. One reason why Rudd is out is that he wasn't factionally aligned. Just as there's no Catholic/Protestant split anymore, the factions also mean little now. I'd have to disagree. The disease in the ALP at the moment is because of the Right wing of the party currently being in control. Perhaps you're right. But do you think the left would do a better job? It seems to me that since Neville Wran, the NSW right's sole aim is to obtain and hold power. I'm not sure what the left want, but they are both just clubs within the Labor party - not causes or belief systems.

I do, because I personally believe that the left would actually do something with the state and bring the labor party back to the left.

The right has no idea that to get and obtain power, ultimately, you have to please the electorate. Not Head Office.