Jeff, at 11:21 on Jul 26 1995, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

JG> There's nothing wrong with the way the Coalition in Australia works. 

BG> Until they get into power.  Then the in-fighting begins...

JG> Not much different to Labor and their Causcus then. You vote Labor in and 
JG> they are overuled by the Caucus factions which are not representative of 
JG> the public.

Yeah, there's a lot of truth in that comment, unfortunately.

BG> Oh sure, ours is not a dishonest system per se, just unnecessary.  If we 
BG> have three distinct political parties, all with different policies, then I 
BG> reckon we should go to the polls with a 3 horse race.

JG> Things must be different in Qld. Down here, the two coalition parties 
JG> usually get together and come up with Coalition policies.

Our recent election was actually fairly unique, in that the coalition had
NO policies of their own (perhaps they secretly agreed with Labor's?).  All
they did was attempt to bludgeon voters into swinging away from Labor by
blatantly slagging off at them.  Funny thing is, it nearly worked.  :)

JG> By that I mean, the Libs come up with their preferred options, The Nats 
JG> come up with their preferred options. They then get together and decide on 
JG> a compromise policy which they rarely change or argue over.

Sure, that's what SHOULD happen, but it didn't this time.

JG> If they die or resign in NSW, a by-election is held. At least the voters 
JG> get to have their say.

Yeah, that's what happens up here too now.  Dunno about the senate though.

JG>> While we're at it! Politicians (spit) shouldn't be allowed to resign
JG>> mid  term either unless they are dying. If they do, they (and only
JG>> they) should  foot the bill. Fuck 'em I say. If we can't shoot 'em,
JG>> lets make 'em  accountable for some of their actions at least.

BG> An admirable sentiment Jeff.  Have fun trying though.  :)

JG> The only way I could change that would be to get elected myself. Once 
JG> elected I would have my nose as deep in the trough as anyone else :-)

Oh well, at least you're being honest about it up front.  :)

Regards, Bill
@EOT:

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