Obviously we aren't going to agree on many of these points, however I will say that I am also, despite what the description of this sub forum is, close to the centre of politics. I mean I took a poll the results of which aligned my views close to Michael Moore (although that did freak me out a bit).
Just for the record I believe in equal opportunity for all. We both do. However I think our definition of equal opportunity differs immensley. Basically I believe that no one should get something for nothing, as it generally doesn't lead to improved outcomes. You should either work or pay for the opportunities afforded to you (eg I am a big supporter of work for the dole). I wish I had the article at hand, but recently I read that something like 1/3 of the federal budget goes to welfare. A good percentage of this is creating a culture where welfare is relied upon by those receiving it, and thus don't feel the drive to make a better life for themselves. As BH said, hand up not hand out is the way to go.
When you state that Labor governance creates a culture of people getting things they don’t deserve, in my mind that statement is you judging a class of people(often favoured by labor) as being less deserving than others. I rebutted your claim by saying that it is true that the 'higher' class (for lack of a better word) may be more deserving due to their achievements, however said achievements are in most cases a result of the opportunities given to them.
The left does not necessarily believe in bigger spending, bigger taxes and bigger 'government', these things are just a means to achieve the goal of a better society. I don’t think it is fair or true to say that the left is more self serving than the right. At the end of the day all people are self serving and the left always has, and hopefully always will serve the interests of the majority of the population. Your example of Greece is void, as the party that presided over the listed problems was in fact a right wing party. This is also true of America. Indeed it would be fair to say that right wing politics and economic management played a significant role in creating the current economic climate. To their credit, the Australian right aren’t as bad as the rest of the world.
You cannot deny that in most countries the minority of people hold the majority of wealth, whilst the majority of people have to bust there arses just to survive. You can also not deny that more often than not wealth is direct result of opportunity. This is not always true, but most of the time it is.
A couple of points in response to the above:
1. The bolded bit - you appear to admit that Labor favours a particular part of society. How is that equal opportunity?
2. Greece - the way I understand it the centre line in greek politics is further left than ours. So you either have left or far left parties. Have a look at the way the voting went at the last election for proof that Greece is more or less a socialist country.
3. America - Clinton started the reforms that led to the current lending arrangements of the banks in the states. Bush didn't make it any better, but that main point here is the downfall was started by the left.
4. I agree that great wealth (that small percentage you refer to) is highly related to opportunity. Opportunity, hard work and talent play equal parts. However, in this country having enough money to get by comfortably doesn't take a huge amount of opportunity. Hard work is the key ingredient here. Giving people hand outs does not encourage this characteristic.