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| webmeister |
I can understand why people think of the current Liberals as good economic managers, but it simply isn't true.
Yes, the economy is much better now that it was 8 years ago when the Liberals took over, but how much of that is the result of economic policy, and how much is that just a function of the world economy?
Australian interest rates are low right now, historically speaking, but they're still quite high compared to other Western countries. Canada for example has 2% interest rates, the UK is about 2.5% and the US until recently had 0% interest rates.
Realistically, both the major parties are so close together in terms of economic policy, it seems absurd to vote for one or the other on that basis alone... |
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| tathi |
| quote: | | Yes, the economy is much better now that it was 8 years ago when the Liberals took over, but how much of that is the result of economic policy, and how much is that just a function of the world economy? |
New York stock market crash of October 1987 |
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| arctic |
| quote: | Originally posted by matt_a
High interest rates |
Interest rates are going to rise irrespective of which party wins office this coming election. It's also worth noting that the government doesn't set interest rates either -- the Reserve Bank does.
This article should be of some interest as well, as it's an ex-reserve bank governor dismissing the idea that interest rates are going to rise because of a Labor government as 'complete nonsense'.
| quote: | | weaker economy, a stronger union movement |
I'm not sure what exactly you mean by a 'weaker economy' -- but I don't see why a strong union movement is a bad thing. If workers want to organize, then good on them.
| quote: | | Just on my point about not knowing where Latham stands, I have to ask does he even know what he's doing? I watched that 'debate' and I never actually heard Latham say any policies. |
The ALP's policies are located here. if you're interested in reading them. I didn't watch the debate too closely myself, as they're generally used as PR opportunities by both leaders.
| quote: | | And on the thing of Howard handing over to Costello . . would Mr Latham like to explain the Hawke handover to Keating, which screwed us into the ground. |
Latham wasn't even in parliament then from memory, so I don't know what you want him to 'explain'. I also think that Hawke went in a leadership challenge, whereas the Costello thing relates to a supposed planned handover. As for the idea that it screwed us into the ground, how? Keating had decent social policies, and his drive towards Asia was beginning to reap dividends until Howard (who's previously expressed racist sentiments towards Asians) got elected and sent us backwards. Keating's economic reforms also have a fair bit to do with the fact that the economy is performing reasonably well at present. Yes, he wasn't perfect (but neither is Howard, just look at our trade deficit and our spiralling foreign debt levels)
| quote: | | (Is it any wonder that Howard destroyed Keating) |
It was mainly due to his perceived arrogance and aloofness in my view -- he was seen as a bit of a self-obsessed wanker, and he paid for it.
| quote: | | If anything it seems to be a Labour trait more than a Liberal trait. |
There are leadership changes and challenges in every party, Howard himself has been toppled before. The Costello thing is just a scare tactic -- personally I'd much prefer Costello. If Labor was in government right now the Liberals would be doing the exact same thing with Simon Crean -- ultimately it means nothing.
| quote: | | And Iraq, war, terrorism, whatever, I don't think the majority of aussie voters are going to vote because of it. Nothing has ever happened on Australian soil, in the 3 years the "War on Terror" has been happening, and that seems pretty good to me. |
I think that you're underestimating the issue's importance a little bit, as things like the embassy and Bali bombings are viewed much the same way as an attack on Australian soil would be. I'm certainly taking Iraq into account -- as will others who aren't motivated purely by self-interest and actually care what happens to Iraqis and our troops currently stationed over there.
| quote: | | I like the country the way it is, and I know exactly where we are headed with Howard. |
Heh, I can't stand what we've become under Howard -- and because of him I honestly can't see myself ever voting for the Liberal party ever again. Anyone who locks up young children in the middle of the desert for election purposes is pure evil in my view.
| quote: | | With Latham our destination seems to change everyday, depending on public oppinion in the media, as that's all Latham seems to do, buckle to the media. |
Not really -- Latham's been a consistent neo-liberal theorist for the duration of his political life; take a look at the books he's written.
| quote: | | I have respect for Howard that he always sticks by what he says. He said there would be a GST . . media critisism . . there was a GST. |
Eh? Howard promised that there would "never ever" be a GST. Then when he got elected, he instituted one -- a direct lie. Then we've got children overboard, WMD, the guarantee that we'd have no $100,000+ university courses, $300 million dollars of our money wasted on political advertising. Howard frequently does the exact opposite of what he says he will; he's a pathological liar.
Heck, take a look at the government's imigration policy -- it's practically a direct copy of some of the stuff Pauline Hanson was advocating. |
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| webmeister |
Well said arctic.
I agree with your Costello sentiments as well, he is the only senior Liberal member I can actually tolerate. He alone seems to have a conscience and a genuine social awareness (as opposed to Howard, who has one when it suits his political aims).
What scares me about the Costello handover though, is that Tony Abbott would most likely become the deputy leader. He scares me almost as much as John Ashcroft... |
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| arctic |
| quote: | Originally posted by webmeister
Well said arctic.
I agree with your Costello sentiments as well, he is the only senior Liberal member I can actually tolerate. He alone seems to have a conscience and a genuine social awareness (as opposed to Howard, who has one when it suits his political aims).
What scares me about the Costello handover though, is that Tony Abbott would most likely become the deputy leader. He scares me almost as much as John Ashcroft... |
Costello's recent bible bashing worries me -- but I guess I can hold my nose and hope that he follows through on his comments with regards to reconciliation, children in detention and so forth. There's also the chance that his brother might be an influence on him as well, and in my mind that would be a good thing.
But yeah, Tony Abbot is a far-right religious nut job. I'm genuinely scared at what he'd do if he ever got the leadership, to the point where I'd prefer the woman who compared refugees to dogs and cats to Abbot. Bring back Malcolm Fraser I say. :p |
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