article on australia-

System

read this in our local paper monday (by a syndicated columnist) about the usa's relationship with australia-

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/perspectives/article/0,1406,KNS_2797_4801245,00.htm


I am not trying to draw comments about the iraqi war, but maybe some comments from the forum's aussie contributors about the general tone of the piece-

do you agree with how the columnist is portraying aussies and australia/usa relationships? (again, the iraqi war aside, if possible)-

thanks
george

gtc

now you have gotten me started
Yes we are outspoken,but our relationship with the US is a sore point for many,particularly with regards to wars(eg Vietnam),global multinationals,agricultural trade subsidies and hollywood/tv swamping our culture and not leaving any room for stories by ourselves,about ourselves.

Americans need to understand that anti -US sentiment that appears is not directed towards you the individual or your family or society as a whole ,rather your government ,foriegn policy and multinationals- which are hard to distuinguish sometimes.Some however take that to an illogical extreme and target all people fromm the US for criticism or worse which is just plain dumb racism/nationalism.

The US is the biggest kid on the block so it makes sense to keep on the goodside-both flavours of politics,labour and the conservatives,when in Government ,try to maintain a good working relationship.

The current Government however is kissing up to Bush big time-Howard and Bush are best mates with Howard seen as a lapdog of Bush . (Iraq,Guantanamo Bay and anything else you would care to examine ).

Howard and his mates in government are now trying to emulate US economic and social conditions by cutting back welfare and working conditions in line with the capitalist dream espoused by the Republicans and multinational corporations-the increase in working poor will be the direct result and when you consider the social and legal problems that go with this then is it any wonder that people are worried?

The line is that increased productivity will trickle down to the ordinary workers.Yeah sure!

Increased profits will trickle down to BMW dealerships and yacht brokers,.

Howard wants us to become a mini USA.The multinational corps want us to work the unpaid overtime and reduced conditions that apply in the USA-our national standard of 4 weeks paid annual leave will be the next to go-because the US standard is 2 weeks.

Our system of universal health care and subsidised pharmaceuticals will also go due to intense pressure from US pharmaceutical companies.

I generally get on well with Americans (the non republican ones) and there are so many creative,intelligent ,social minded people who make up the country, however your system of democracy appears so skewed towards appeasing the biggest campaign contributors,so that the greater good and the individual is forgotten about. The result is that people don't bother voting and nothing really changes except for what is desired by those with the deepest pockets.

Bring back Clinton..ok you can't...so encourage people to vote next time.

Hope this helps

G

System

greg-

thanks so much for the response-

the columnist's words seemed a litttle too much pie in the sky-

it's good to hear both sides-

what you wrote would make a good counterpoint column-

best
george

Head in the Clouds

Well said Greg. I couldn't agree more.

This topic is so deep, and there is so much more to it than what the columnist has hit on, except he's spot on that Howard would roll over backwards for George Doubl-ya and let him scratch his belly.

Howard is hell bent on making sure there is a huge divide between the middle class and upper class AUstralians, with a middle class becoming the working poor .... well as long as they are paying their taxes. Making single mothers work, while paying people thousands of dollars for every child they produce and completely ignoring our indigeinous Australians.

God I could go on forever ... but no. the column does not show a true reality ....

where gus when you need him ... I'm sure he'd have an opinion ....

gtc

i know this forum is about photography not politics but that article was like a red rag to a bull !

the best way to keep me from getting political in here is not to get me started in the first place!

Head in the Clouds

agreed.

With all due respect to our American friends, the less like the US Australia is, the better. (.... oooo I can hear the cries now ... !)

Why Australia can't just be like Australia is beyond me. For some reason we think we either need to be like the US, or like the UK ... and of course Howard is going for money and power ..... ah dear. enough is enough.

Photography and politics - like oil and water - should never mix. :

gus

Guys i have winced over this thread from the start. I feel it does not belong on Dgrin thus i am closing it.

Gus