I'm angry

disclaimer - please skip over this post if a) you have no interest in reading another bloody blogger rabbiting on in an overwrought way of the state of Australian politics b) have already heard me go on and on in an overwrought way about the state of Australian politics or c) are my Dad.

It is rare that I get passionately engaged in domestic political issues. I am certainly aware and thus generally bemused. 16 odd years of conservative government has left me somewhat cynical and much as I exercise my privilege to vote, I have become resigned to the fact that our status as the "lucky country"has led to a complacency and greediness in the general Australian public that looks after the hip pocket as opposed to the good of the community, both domestically and globally. A blind eye is turned to the deceit and outright arrogance of our esteemed leader - as long as we are assured that our false economy is still standing strong and interest rates on our mortgages aren't going to rise too dramatically ( fat lot of good that did ya , 2004 coalition voters...but I digress)
The repeated bullshit and blatant hypocrisy that is fed to us continues and I am inured to it. Until today.

Ian Campbell has been unceremoniously dumped from his cabinet minister duties for having met with the now infamous Brian Burke. John Howard in his infinite wisdom has removed this unsightly blight on his team simply to enable him to continue attacking the Ruddster on an issue that Rudd has already proved to be a non event. who gives a crap!!?? Alexander Downer and Mark Vaille remain as loyal knights to Howard's throne after acknowledging their acquiescence and support of the AWB while doing dodgy dealings with the evil super villian of our time SADDAM HUSSEIN (dah dah daaahhh..)- on the eve of us supporting and contributing to an invasion of said dictators homeland. What?? Is this an episode of Yes Prime Minister? NO - the premise is far too outlandish to be used in a witty and clever UK satirical sitcom, no - this is our freaking Australian government.
The fact that dear Johnny has made a tap dance and showstopping tune of clearing the decks of all things possibly affiliated with Brian Burke is nothing less than ludicrous, transparent and blatantly hypocritical. It makes me so so so sad to think that come election time, just like the children overboard and those pesky invisible weapons of mass destruction, that this ridiculous farce will probably be forgotten in lieu of varied propaganda campaigns all focusing on WHAT you can GET from the old faithful and how risky change will be to the retirement fund. Are Australians that greedy? Can we sell our souls while being blind to the erosion of our very defining characteristics (see - outsourcing of manual labour, I.R. reform, sale of QANTAS and TELSTRA etc...) I may be naive, but I now have very little faith in the general Australian public and their political ethical fortitude - so does the the old tenet ring true? - a nation gets the leader it deserves?