howard’s way
These are good times. The economy is booming (whatever that means) &
life is pretty cushy in Oz. Little johnny claims it is all his good
work, which is of course total crap however politicians like to clam
credit for good things. But what does the economic good fortune
translate to?
It would seem the only real answer is not very much. Yes people have
jobs. Good thing. Keeps them off the streets for one (and in the case
of the APEC protesters in Sydney, away for the action and prying
eyes). Another bonus is people working don’t need welfare since they
can be expected to look after themselves, which they do and whilst
they are at it, they can pick up some stuff to take with them.
Has the economy translated to any long term significant goal for this
country? Do we have better societies, are we making progress on land
degradation, is there any real hope that the country won’t fall over
when oil becomes unaffordable? Nup. Instead what has happened is a
sustained attack on the publicly owned infrastructure of this
country, a campaign against unionism, an inhumane closure of our
borders to refugees and a very dangerous expansion of our uranium
industry. All in the name of the economy.
This little johnny’s legacy. It’s almost criminal, the only saving
grace is that we aren’t in america and we don’t have george w’s legacy.