In the US Sarah Palin is considered a bonus for the Republicans. We even have some Democrats that don't like Obama moving over and carrying signs that say "Democrat for McCain and Palin'.

Well Bob I think that Pallin is a real worry--and McCain is far to old to go into the job

And in the US we are running about 50 - 50 at this time. Many think Palin is a blessing, age most likely not a problem as we have congressmen/ladies whose ages are in the 80's and higher. Right smart folks too. We also think that Obama is a big mistake and that Hillary should have gotten the nomination. Hillary is definitely more experienced, had earned the chance to let the voters decide. But our heavily biased press and TV decided early on to float Obama into the candidacy. Basically ignored Hillary and her efforts. So we do have a very unhappy situation right now. I guess I will have to go with what I consider the lessor of the two evils available.

.

McCain and Pallin seem to be too much like Bush--(God help us all) McCain is I am sure smart enough--but I think Pallin--has a lot of bad ideas re abortion etc--and war--and is also another BIG mouth. Also VERY irritating

I think that bobagain has pretty well encapsulated most voters attitude to politics......we rarely get to vote for a candidate that we really like and have solid faith in.......... invariaby, it comes down to selecting the "best of a bad bunch". I dont know enough about U.S. politics to comment on McCain or Obama, but I am really concerned that if McCain is elected and at some time "goes down clutching his chest".....look who is going to become the "leader of the free world".......now, THAT is scarey.

”.......now, THAT is scarey.



My oath it is scarey--VERY much so

[size=4]What's scarey is that the Democrats might win, because the candidate is pretend black.[/size]



As, for example we ended up with this PM because he's blond and only 50.

And oh yes! he had a plan.

I was fairy defensive of "Kevin 07" when he first took the job. I thought that many of his knockers were not giving him a fair go and allowing him time to settle in and make some much needed changes. Well, he has had the time and I am forced to eat "humble pie" and acknowledge that he is fast becoming another of our great political disappointments. He is making much of consulting with the Australian people and pretending to be a good listener............ the national outcry about pension rates, fuel pricing, the great grocery duopoly rip-off, ballooning cost of living etc., etc. all seem to be falling on "deaf ears".........he only seems to be listening to what he wants to hear. His highest personal priority seems to be his travel itinerary.

Reading all the posts I feel that we are blowing in the wind.

Our politicians and business men are good time managers and faced with this current extremely serious global credit crisis where our whole financial system may well collapse. The best they can do is run their companies into bankruptcy and our venerable politicians treat us like uneducated morons lying and mouthing off platitudes to the media as though that is going to correct the situation. They have no clear plan as to what to do to retrieve the situation and smugly believe that they have us conned!

No, we don’t want Costello, what we want is a LEADER, and in our Western Societies we appear to have become weak and incapable of producing a true leader. Someone who has the guts to tell it as it, get their hands dirty, stop lining their own pockets and have worthwhile policies that really help the people?

Here and in America and the UK it’s the faceless bureaucrats that make the policies, and decide what and where and the fringe groups of politics that highjack the weak political agenda to the advantage of the minorities. Just look at the Senate. Last time out we had the “Chicken lady” Meg Lees and before that Haradine. So really it doesn’t matter if Rudd is away or here, because he is only a cardboard cut out of the Prime Minister and that can be anyone.

Guys we need a LEADER and I don’t see one on the horizon.

me me me, I'll be a leader and I'll ask Phyl to bring

tim tams and we will invite you all to a party...



Now, as a second choice, what kind of a person would make a good LEADER.

Firstly s/he has a good education, University degree - at least!!

He is humanitarian, having the interests of mankind at heart.

Has a sense of justice - no dirty deals behind the closed doors.

Is a peacemaker. We are all sick of watching thousands of innocent people

suffer because others are doing what they do because they have power to do it.

Rushed out bought supplies and made (clever me) big board

with Vote 1 Mara for Leader.......

Now we are on our way. Great policies Mara.

That wasn't too hard at all.

um Mara when will Carers and people on Disability and Seniors

be getting a nice raise in finances enabling living with dignity

and less stress please?

See something good does happen every day.

and the great news is it is the 20th September tomorrow

and we will be given another 86,400 great seconds to enjoy.

and one Tim Tam each.

Phyl.

Mara.....I hope that your description of a possible leader for us was "tongue in cheek".....such a person would more likely be a candidate for sainthood, rather than a politician. A university degree does not make one smart....its how they use that education that counts. I would rather be led by a strong but honest person who is not afraid to make the tough decisions and will look me in the eye and tell me the TRUTH about how things are. I dont care if they were a bricklayer, hairdresser or Uni professor...... just so long as they represent the people of this country with justice, equality and common sense.

Unfortunately, the people with the toughness and ruthlessness to make it to the top in our political system are not the personality types that most of us would choose to make welcome in our homes.

Hear you Kechugo, and of course, but also, I'd like it if someone asks him where's Cambodia he does not send you to the nearest supermarket for new brand of sauce. Then with all money markets, he needs to know something about banking systems and how it all falls in line.

I can only vaguely understand how is American financial market affecting others all around the world.

I wonder whether someone as brilliant scientist as Stephen Hawkins would make a good politician. A brilliant mind thinks ahead, can see the end product. If the country takes this path, in 10 or 20ys will end up so and so.

I cant think of a brilliant anything, scientist or otherwise that could become a politician.The first thing you need to be to become a pollly is being able to lie and be dishonest and promising everything you have no intention giving. Over the years it has become painfully obvious that to be a good politician (if there is such a person) one has to be tainted both imorally and in human and have only ones self interest at heart. As you can gather I dislike them all.

As an Aussie visiting the USA right now and residing n New York I find the US election quite entertaining pitbulls pigs and lipstick included. You may dislike Sarah but you must admit she has wiped the Clintons of the map so to speak and just about every american citizen has said in the past that anyone would have to better than George W. Bush so be prepared for anything. Interestingly though the media either printed or spoke of the GOP which to me meant nothing till I researched it. I researched it because and these numbers are true starting from the guy I bought the New York Times off at the Penn Station Subway Station to friends and random people I sat next to or just generally asked what GOP meant. The total asked was 15 and of that 15 only one knew the answer and he is a staunch republican. That to me is incredible that everyday GOP was either in the headlnes or somewhere in and about the newpapers yet such a percentage hadnt a clue what it meant. For those that want to know its believed at the endof the civil war the republian party was reffered to as the Gallant Old Party but now its accepted as the Grand Old Party. This is a gift to all of my american friends that didnt know from an Aussie. As business's and banks collapse here with worldwide repercussion Im sure and a handout of 85 billion to AIG (even I couldnt mislay that much) one wonders how McCain or Obama are going to fulfill their promises but of course you all know they wont because they cant but its nice to hear they think they know how. As for Sarah Palin the media attention she gets, to a stranger here youd have to think she was the one running for the oval office. By the way theres another guy in there somewhere called Biden not sure what he does or can do I guess Obama has something for him to do. Whatever happens personally I thnk this is a great country and of those Ive met a great bunch of people so I hope you get what you need and want in government. Since starting this blog I just asked another visitor here where Im staying the GOP question.........answer...............havent a clue.......thanks