on 7/11/01 9:40 PM, david.bircumshaw at [log in to unmask] wrote:
> In this town I'm experiencing a unique sensation, that of going quiet
> suddenly when people talk about politics, as my voice isn't one that would
> be welcome anymore. One does find wee oases of 'howevers', but they only
> seem to come from the comfortably off. What worries me is that the
> right-wing sentiments that have not only existed in the 'working-classes'
> for years but also have been growing in recent times seem to have found a
> new home not in the covert support for the Thatcherites of not long gone but
> in the supposedly acceptable face of New Labour - almost daily one hears
> things from this govt that are more and more like the closing scene of
> Animal Farm.
Hi Dave,
What worries me is that most people I talk to feel similarly to myself, with
variations, but, at least according to the polls, most people are feeling
and talking differently, ie, veering into a kind of Fortress Australia
thuggery.
Now, of course, I supposedly mix in 'certain' circles. Maybe. But I also
live in a suburb of mixed ethnic backgrounds that is, at least still in
part, working class and I must say I still don't find the blinkered approach
I would expect if I believed the polls (of course, again, there are many
variations on this theme).
In the end, I have no idea how this Saturday's vote will turn out. My
natural pessimism leads me to think 'three more years of 1950s style
rhetoric and backward looking policies' but I could just be wrong.
As the Cap'n says 'the swing is on' and I know serious people who are
actually predicting Labor by 10 seats. I don't know about that but I bet on
the winner in the Melbourne Cup this week and John Howard's bet came nowhere
(as did Kim Beazley's, but who cares). So, maybe I'm a bit 'Ethereal' but
hope is neck and neck with doubt and fear.
Best,
Jill
P.S. Ethereal was a mare and first Cup winner to be trained by a woman, a
New Zealander, of course. Is that an omen, or what?
_________________________________
Jill Jones
50 Ruby Street
Marrickville NSW 2204
AUSTRALIA
[log in to unmask]
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~jpjones
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