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September 30, 2004

Forget Neil The Dwarf!

Turns out cab drivers are the authority on politics!

This morning’s cabbie and I bonded over traffic and listening to Mike Carlton’s callers discussing Labor’s Medicare Gold policy… that is, we bonded until we realised we were on two completely opposing sides, and then it turned into 2004’s Unofficial Great Debate.

I love debating with baby boomers. Everything they say is absolutely true simply because they’re older than you. In fact, I kid you not, this cabbie pointed to his head and said “You know why I’m right and I know more than you? My hair is grey! GREY!”

Any arguments I put forward in defence of Labor’s election policy were quickly shot down with deadly precision thanks to indisputable one-liners such as “No, that’s not true…” and (again) “My hair is grey…” I simply adore being condescended to by someone completely devoid of any facts backing up their point of view.

Don’t get me wrong - frustrating a drive as it may have been, the cabbie was a likable old fellow even though he had no idea how patronising he actually was. Even when he agreed with me (on a rare one or two points) he still managed to inform me simultaneously that I was incorrect regardless because - can you guess why? - I am young and naive! Well, in fairness I probably am but it is my youthful exuberance and hippy sentimentality, not to mention my sailors vocabulary, that makes me so endearing.

I’ve got to hand it to him though, he did make me chuckle at his assessment of the two major political parties.

“Labor tell you what you want to hear, take you on a date and buy you a coffee only to slip in a Rohypnol, take you home and do whatever they want to you. The Liberals just stand there saying “Go on, sleep with me.”

PS: Great discussion over at Back Pages about Latham’s chances at winning the election post-Medicare Gold announcement. Check it out over here.