howard and the markets disaster looms, page-8

Little johnnie taps a subliminal fear among aussies that they are a privileged few under threat from a horde of less fortunate neighbours. Reality is far more complex of course but many voters can't perceive complexity.

So johnnie works the simple proposition that we need a big protector and the US is the biggest for now. Unfortunately all we get is trusted ally status from the US. Johnnie basks in the reflected glory of dubya, gets 5 minutes more hearing, invites to the ranch. No economic or trade concessions but we do have the obligation to send military assistance to help with US opportunistic adventurism.

All this at the expense of a deteriorating relationship with most of our neighbours, rejection from Asian trade blocs, danger when we travel. We now suffer the reflected loathing towards Americans and get treated as dogs of the US. Labor follows meekly - democracy is a constant negotiation.

What is ludicrous are the depictions of johnnie as a "strong leader" - what a pathetic joke. Not since Robin Askin the premier of NSW ordered his driver to "ride over the bastards" his fellow countrymen to curry favour with LBJ has sycophantism been so fashionable.