We need to listen to the wishes of ordinary Australians now

[Robbien]

Yup, that is what came out of one Liberal politico's mouth. One of the few Australian Liberals (conservatives) re-elected to his seat actually said that. MP Steve Ciobo also said "We've got wall to wall Labor now . . . There can be no more born-to-rule mentality in the Liberal Party".

While Iraq was a side issue, it appears one of the main issues of the campaign was work force legislation exempting certain industries from the fair practices laws (WorkChoices). WorkChoices was fundamental to the Liberal defeat. And in another slap to middle classes everywhere, Liberal candidates were actually crowing during their campaigning about being able to keep wages low.

The new PM Rudd is also business friendly so unions/middle class still need to keep up the fight.

It will be interesting watching to see where Australia goes from here.

[sandyd921]

1. Maybe a day will come when the wishes of ordinary

working class and middle class Americans will be listened to. I continue to hold out hope for that day. If that day has come for Austrailia (although it sounds like the struggle for economic justice and fair labor laws is far from over there) maybe there is hope for the US too.

[Lithos]

2. I will never know why "business friendly"

Always is code words for "corporate friendly". Business friendly is far more than corporations and includes mom & pop businesses. A true business friendly policy would first and foremost be "middle class friendly". The middle class's economic and physical health are requisites to any business success. Corporate success is just money for a few.

/soapbox

L-

[MikeNearMcChord]

3. Would any Republican be stupid enough, to brag

about how he helped to keep wages low? I think even in the red areas he would have been ran out on a rail. These guys in the Liberal Party were pretty stupid.

[MasonJar]

4. He has already stepped up for the whales and the Kyoto Treaty.

I'd like him here.