[Peakoil] Majority Opinion (78% favour renewables)

[David Jorm]

Agreed; good example is the majority of Australians never supported the war
in Iraq. A federal election occured not long after this highly unpopular
event - what happened? Imcumbent won, by focusing on the swinging voters and
what would sway them, namely tax cuts, baby bonuses, interest rates, etc.
People with strong party alliances aren't going to switch teams because of
policy changes, so it becomes those who will who must be targeted.

On 1/18/06, Adrian Whitehead <ccserac.project1 at ecoaction.net.au> wrote:
>
> Majority Opinion is not really that important.
>
> An astute political player what is important is the opinion of the swinger
> voters in marginal seats these are the people that need to be won over.
>
> Sadly rusted on voters don't matter, and safe seats don't matter.
>
> Howard has been a master at this game, and governments who do it well can
> keep them selves in power or win elections, i.e. Richardson with the
> Franklin.
>
> Poor players will often confuse their goal and make a mess of their own
> politics, such as Biesly in 2001 election on refugees.
>
> Adrian
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* peakoil-bounces+adrian=ecoaction.net.au at act-peakoil.org [mailto:
> peakoil-bounces+adrian=ecoaction.net.au at act-peakoil.org] *On Behalf Of *Antony
> Barry
> *Sent:* Wednesday, 18 January 2006 11:10 AM
> *To:* Keith Thomas
> *Cc:* ACT Peak Oil discussion
> *Subject:* Re: [Peakoil] 78% favour renewables (in UK)
>
>
>  On 17 Jan 2006, at 9:27 PM, Keith Thomas wrote:
>
>  It would be nice to think that democracy in mass society would come up
> with the best solution. That works OK for traditional politics, but not for
> peak oil and climate change. It matters not a whit what the majority - or
> even ALL - the people say or favour.
>
>
>
> Politically it DOES matter what a large majority thinks. A government
> which ignores strong public opinion risks being kicked out and it's actions
> negated. Governments can lead but it's risky. The present Commonwealth
> Government has taken a risk with Iraq, Telstra and industrial relations
> presumably because it thought the majority opinion was wrong and people
> would come round to their way of thinking.
> We want the government to take action to steer us away from the disaster
> which peak oil will bring. To do so we need to bring more people to the view
> that this is a problem which must be faced urgently.
>
> Decisions such as the Gungahlin Drive Extension might not have been made
> if the likely future of fuel supplies was considered.
>
> At least Canberra planning now looks to be trying to keep development
> closer and cutting back on continual sprawl.
>
> Tony
>
>  phone : 02 6241 7659 | mailto:me at Tony-Barry.emu.id.au<me at Tony-Barry.emu.id.au>
> mobile: 04 1242 0397 | http://tony-barry.emu.id.au
>
>
>
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