Thanks Marianne, for passing my 1st e-mail on to Andrew. I hope he and your colleagues will value a bit more support. I was encouraged enough by tonight's reports to put the following thoughts together, and hope they will strengthen the Democrats resolve to give democracy a chance to come back from the depths to which our government has taken it. I'll also cc this to others who may also want to support you(or not, as is their right). What chance Meg Lees and your colleagues could turn (hollow)threats of another election back at the Canberra & Coalition bullies? With credible reform policies from community participation, the Democrats should win back a lot of lost support in any double dissolution, and even reclaim Don Chipp's mantle. Not that JH has the ticker for any sort of election! What bets he won't lead them into the next one if Meg holds out? It is also interesting to see the contradictions in govt spokespersons and media commentators as they try to regain control of the agenda. At least Ted Evans was honest when talking about "progressing the governments reform agenda". Of course its no easy matter to defy the will of a growing majority of Australians; even if Sir Humphrey really does know whats good for them! His claim that "nothing could be better calculated to unwind the superior economic performance" displays total arrogance, and contempt for those suffering so much from years of their 'superior performance'. If anything is 'superior performance', its the way income tax 'bracket creep' can be used to produce budget surpluses which are then promised back as tax 'cuts'. This was even made LAW in 1993, but has never happened because our G-Gs who would be sacked if they dared to enact the 'will of parliament'! Since then at least $40 billion extra tax has been collected. Not enough to pay all the extra welfare costs this has inflicted, but certainly 'superior performance' in treachery! Wouldn't it be nice if the Senate refused supply in 1999 on the basis that the government should first enact existing law, before bullying it to pass new ones it knows have negligible chance of improving jobs growth (except in the tax industry). Who'd like to see that? Ask your local MP, even if not a Democrat to represent your will. Jim Stewart Mobile: 04 1427 4420 (with voice-mail) ---------------------------------------------------------------- This is the Neither public email list, open for the public and general discussion. To unsubscribe click here Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Subject=unsubscribe To subscribe click here Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Subject=subscribe For information on [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.neither.org/lists/public-list.htm For archives http://www.mail-archive.com/public-list@neither.org