Them and usThem and us
My political opinions are well known. I have seen them many a time inscribed on walls and heard them shouted with much bravado during street marches.
I, who have for many years presided over the destinies primarily of my good self and lately that of my pet dog, Jo Jo, cannot and will not pretend to be unmoved by the extraordinary news which from the grand city of Ipswich has just come to hand, bringing words to shock all good men and women who in this dry brown land do dwell.
So far as I am aware, the people of Australia have always been one nation. We speaka the same, don't we? Sure we do. Enough, at least, to understand what Ms Hanson is trying to tell us.
Yes, Pauline, I am — we are all (aren't we?) — following what you are saying.
It is with regret that I must say it to you, but I cannot at this stage reply to your many requests which have reached my lodgings on the question of my placing my person at the disposal of the new One Nation Party in connection with the pursuit of parliamentary office. A few technicalities would first have to be considered: I am not, for example, a practising racist. Moreover, I am extremely busy.
Let me add that the whole question of membership of the One Nation Party I find to be a most offensive notion. That is to say that those who constitute themselves as your supporters are subscribing to a body of ideas which in essence blame the wrong people.
Yes indeed — the wrong people.
Thousands of our fellow citizens are currently unemployed or can find only part-time or casual work. Corporate executive officers of our top companies are making many times what their average worker is bringing home, and as corporate bosses continue to downsize their work force, these very same people are becoming even richer.
Yet we are being told that it is these same corporations which keep the country going: "Work hard, and if your company prospers, we all will".
Isn't that a familiar plea? And shouldn't one be surprised to find incorporated in it a statement which is completely untrue? How can I put this bluntly?
Work harder —>
The company prospers —>
You lose your job.
That's the real story. Your average wog or abo has nothing to do with it.
If I may express an opinion — I have so far been dealing solely in facts — I think a great number of Ms Hanson's supporters are bigoted — the inevitable result, I dare say, of listening to John Laws.
I mount my rostrum because it is expected of me. But let it not be said that I mock for mocking's sake. (I pause for a reply ...) Perhaps there is method in this news from Ipswich which warrants our attention. Ms Hanson may be on to something. Please don't run away with the idea that it is the race card to which I refer. But a "one" nation — I'm for it. There's "them"; and there's "us" — and them's the ones who are the problem: every last corporate boss cockie of them.
Dave Riley
Email: dhell@ozemail.com.au