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@johcaschro wrote:
@davidc4430 wrote:i think most australians look back on hawkes govt with not such bad memories as with most of howards time as PM,
wasnt until howard got complete control of both houses and went power crazy he got the old heave ho!
however, none of the PMs since howard will be rememberred with any pride by the people in general.
oh and i definately am not a fan of howard but he ran a tight ship for the most part and was a LEADER!
Before we get all nostalgic and misty-eyed about John Howard and his time in govt, let's pause to reflect that he wanted to introduce changes to workplace legislation which would have seen each and every working person being pitted against each other to see who would work the most, for the least wages.
John Howard introduced the GST. and it was a very battle to ensure that it wasn't applied to basic foodstuffs.
He was a Conservative party politician and, like the rest of their ilk, red in tooth and claw, trying to cut and gut the average working person while supping on their bleeding vital juices in the process.
He lost his govt and he lost his very own electoral seat because of these policies.
He remains a hated member of the Right Wing of politics and tried to do this country great damage all to profit an elite few. But then again, it's hard to blame him for that; after all, he he was/is a member of the Lying Nasty Party.
Let's look back through a clear lens, shall we?
If you read Davids post properly ( Am I really sticking up for David in a political discussion 
) you will see that he mentions Howard ran a tight ship UNTIL he gained control of both houses and went power crazy, then he lost the plot.
He came to the prime ministership with good intentions and was originally known as "Honest John" . At the time the monica was probably deserved. He introduced a code of conduct for ministers and while we all know how that ended up, it kept them in line for awhile. The intention was there. He took the GST to an election ( brave by anyones standard ) and won so like it or not, he had a definate mandate for that policy and showed strong leadership.
It was only in his last term of government that he completely trashed his record and legacy with the " weapons of mass destruction " and " children overboard" lies. Basically saying anything and doing anything to get re-elected.
Its sad to see a man of genuine moral principle turn so blatently dishonest and corrupt in the desire for power. Its also an insight into how addictive the power of politics can become for those inside its walls.
