Let’s get cracking!
Ok, new year! The US economy has come down with flu which is supposed to mean the rest of the world suffers too but I think we should try and buck the trend. Not that the economic situation isn’t bad, but rather its because the economic situation is bad that we ought to start the things we all have been avoiding for some time. Things that make a difference! Forget the capitalists who believe the market eventually benefits everyone, clearly it doesn’t. It’s because of market economics that in the 21st century this country still employs 19th century power generating ideas instead of making use of the country’s most abundant and renewable resource, sunshine. No money in it, but plenty in coal.
Likewise our pressing transport needs. Our geography means a lot of traveling for people and stuff, so why is it that we don’t have transport systems that do the job? Sure roads are good but they have problem with scale and capacity plus roads mean cars and trucks. Meanwhile our ancient national rail network has been allowed to decline, again so that airlines can make a buck and trucking companies can maintain their stranglehold on freight transport. Our cities have suffered with car-centric urban sprawl gobbling up valuable land, society suffers an annual carnage on the roads and the environment suffers from millions of internal combustion engines chewing up non-renewable fossil fuel. In short, allowing the market to take care of transport has been a disaster.
So Kev and his mob can do a few things to help Australia avoid the depression we might have to have. Unfortunately they mean taking on a few powerful vested interests, however they are clearly part of the problem. Building national infrastructure is the name of the game, and making sure the public retains its investment is vital. Selling public assets like little johnny was so fond of doing is a fraud, it makes the public hostage to market forces and when the capitalists have their little crisis from time to time then you know who pays for it. I mean selling Telstra worked so well, our phones are are are…still working! Meanwhile its chief executive collect millions in tax free salary, no one gets fast internet until a competitor forces their hand and thousands of aussies get the sack. Inspired thinking!
