The destruction of a country

Even people I know who seem quite moderate in their opinions leave me gasping when they start talking about the systematic destruction of all that was good about Australia since 1996. Happened again today with a friend who I have always considered well-informed but a 'moderate' politically. For a government that was going to have us 'relaxed and comfortable', the quite single minded ideological attack on all our institutions has been relentless. Including:

• complete politicisation of the military, Federal police, Reserve Bank board and public service;
• belting the judiciary and ABC into submission;
• left the ALP far behind in how to look after your 'mates' ;
• children overboard;
• demonisation of homosexuals;
• extreme interference in people's personal affairs (isn't this what they always accuse the ALP of doing?) such as the ban on discussing euthanasia, intrusive anti-terrorist legislation, proposed mandatory counselling for divorcing couples; band on RU486 - this list just goes on and on;
• misleading the public on commitment to the invasion of Iraq;
• student unionisation;
• etc etc (waterfront, 'Pacific solution', bailouts for mates, Kerry Packer's memorial service and so it goes).

Of course what is most distressing is the lack of a viable opposition. So you can forget about any change in the 'leadership' for a while, it seems. Except this isn't leadership as it is normally defined - providing a vision of hope that people can sign on to. It's division and fear. Better get used to it.