The truth about the conservatives

As it's getting closer and closer to the election, I thought I'd set the record straight on what the conservatives in this country really stand for. First we need to look at their key constituency, that is, big business in Australia. The old industry, the old money - the business that has grown rich on Australia's past and natural bounty. The business that clings to the status quo to protect itself, the business that's afraid of change and afraid of competition. The conservatives are old business's protectors, the foot soldiers of moral indignation who resist change at all costs. Aid to Australia's old business has flowed freely since the conservatives got hold of the reigns. Just look at the health rebate and the latest energy 'policy'. It is the protection of big business is what is holding back Australia and her economy. Without the active stimulus of new industries through R&D and other measures, we will never achieve our true potential as a country, leading the world in innovative industries and the arts.

Secondly, the conservatives stand for power politics, especially in international relations. Conservatives have lived their ultimate dream through the conquest of Iraq, where they have gone to war without even a proper reason, only the chance or guess of a threat and been able to snub the UN at the same time. By ignoring those in the international community who cautioned against the war in Iraq, we have seen an insurgency that is costing many lives unnecessarily and the loss of moral leadership of western countries through the horrible images of Abu Grahib. Playing power politics at the level of current conservative governments is extremely divisive and as we have seen, creates more problems than it is supposed to solve.

Conservatives also display the curious dichotomy of champions of liberty and moral guardians of the people. The conservatives will wax lyrical about the importance of freedom and in the same breath shout down any notion of society that offends moral 'values' - especially those defined by conservatives. Take for example the recent debate on fast food - Labor sensibly proposes to ban advertising fast food to children. Unacceptably Orwellian according to a government who can't stand the sight of two lesbians on Play School.

So we can see, conservatives really don't stand for any thing at all accept timid protection of their mates in big business, their self serving brothers in the international community who despise multilateralism, libertarians and moral prudes. They only real goal they have is to win control at all costs. Not a recipe for fantastic leadership of a progressive and dynamic country that Australia truly deserves to be.


- posted by Jock @ 9:57 PM