Brett Robson wrote:
> 
> Declan Murphy wrote:
> 
>> Kevin Gowen wrote:
>>
>>> The abortion question was a real loser for Kerry. He really squirmed 
>>> trying to justify support for partial-birth abortion and opposition 
>>> to parental notification.
>>
>> My only interest in sepponia's recent poll was from an outsiders 
>> perspective (commercial trade, defence alliances etc). Now that Bush 
>> has a second term, and his party a majority in both reps and senate, I 
>> assume partial-birth abortions will be banned. And all abortions too?
> 
> and Australia, read the papers this week? Little US is coming fast.

8 years of conservative government and Australia's top marginal tax rate 
still cuts in at 1.2 times average weekly earnings compared with the 
OECD average over 3 times. 8 years of conservative government and the 
top marginal tax rate is still 48.5 - the 10th highest in the OECD. Yeah 
I read the papers this week. No meaningful microeconomic reform, lets 
talk about abortions. No meaningful public finance reform, lets talk 
about "gay marriage". No computers in nearly 1/3 of elementary schools 
in western Sydney, lets provide a flagpole and photograph of England's 
queen so that we can remain the best country in the world. And don't 
even get me started on trade. The terms of trade have never been so 
good, yet instead of dropping all tariffs to zero, the gummint signs a 
managed trade pact with a protectionist sepponia. Makes me want to reach 
for a bottle of Ireland's finest.

-- 
That's why I live in Japan. It sucks, but the alternatives seem to suck 
with a bit more authority - Ed, my kinda philosopher king.