Talking Politics

[KnightersRevenge]

He's playing the west for fools. Which is interesting because I never thought he was this smart.

"The West" is hamstrung by Trump. They've no idea how to handle having an illiterate world leader. If he was in Africa or a former Soviet state he could be ignored but that isn't a realistic option for a U.S. president. He invalidates any agreement because he simply denys or changes his statements moment to moment. He is not a political animal and so none of their instincts help them to navigate around him. Throw in Kim Jong Il. Kim doesn't need to be "smart", I think people too often mistake rat cunning for intelligence. Rat cunning is what keeps dictators in power and what drives them. The will to stay in power without conscience or true strategy. No loyalty and no integrity just the belief that everyone else is a rat too and they all want whatever it is you've got. In Kim's case all he has is the threat of bombs he can't realistically launch (as he would be signing his own death warrant). Trump’s smile at the chant of "Nobel" at his most recent "rally?" was truly comical. I hope some enterprising young film maker is working on a project to splice together this idiots' presidency into a comic masterpiece. No actors required.

 

[TigerForce]

He's playing the west for fools. Which is interesting because I never thought he was this smart.

All depends on what Moon-Jae says and how he analyses this occasion. I can't see any bluff at the moment from KJu.

 

[BT Tiger]

Fair enough to be skeptical about KJU intentions but at least there is some good news for a change! Thought the holding hands as they crossed both sides of the DMZ was a nice touch.

On a side note, my father left last week to go on holiday...to North Korea! He's loving it apparently, but they severely restrict any email communications coming in and out of the country.

 

[scottyturnerscurse]

The world would be better if Shai rather than John Bolton was NSA. #JCPOA

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

US unemployment at its lowest since 2000. DJT continues to deliver.

 

[Brodders17]

US unemployment at its lowest since 2000. DJT continues to deliver.

The 3.9 percent unemployment rate last month was accompanied by a contraction in the labor force, and a fall in the labor force participation rate from 63 percent in February to 62.9 percent in March and 62.8 percent in April. Had the labor force not shrunk, and the participation rate not fallen, the unemployment rate would have continued to have a 4-handle. A lower unemployment rate resulting from a shrinking work force is not a sign of a healthy economy!

http://www.businessinsider.com/us-jobs-market-unemployment-rate-under-4-half-the-story-of-2018-5/?r=AU&IR=T

unemployment rate has fallen because people have given up looking for work!

 

[IanG]

US unemployment at its lowest since 2000. DJT continues to deliver.

Or its still in the window of being affected by the Obama era.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

The 3.9 percent unemployment rate last month was accompanied by a contraction in the labor force, and a fall in the labor force participation rate from 63 percent in February to 62.9 percent in March and 62.8 percent in April. Had the labor force not shrunk, and the participation rate not fallen, the unemployment rate would have continued to have a 4-handle. A lower unemployment rate resulting from a shrinking work force is not a sign of a healthy economy!

http://www.businessinsider.com/us-jobs-market-unemployment-rate-under-4-half-the-story-of-2018-5/?r=AU&IR=T

unemployment rate has fallen because people have given up looking for work!

The Democratic view is forever negative. Or, there's this version from the heartland.

For blacks and Latinos, record low unemployment

Jobs are being created faster than jobseekers are entering the workforce. That's why the rate is down.

 

[Baloo]

So Shortens cast iron guarantee that his MPs are all well vetted before being nominated has come back to bite him pretty hard.

But I see he’s blaming his lawyers, good move.

 

[K3]

So Shortens cast iron guarantee that his MPs are all well vetted before being nominated has come back to bite him pretty hard.

But I see he’s blaming his lawyers, good move.

You would have thought every politician would know to never use that phrasing. Always going to come back and bite you in the ass!

On the positive for Labor, at least they have taken action on this issue, instead of keeping MPs onboard, as the Liberal's have done, even though they are in exactly the same situation and should be stood down, as per the High Court verdict.

 

[Sintiger]

The Democratic view is forever negative. Or, there's this version from the heartland.

For blacks and Latinos, record low unemployment

Jobs are being created faster than jobseekers are entering the workforce. That's why the rate is down.

The US unemployment rate has dropped every year since 2011 LTRTR when it spiked post GFC. Have a look at the US Gini coefficient to see who is getting the wealth...

 

[22nd Man]

Is there nothing politicians won't do for a quid?
Joyce selling his story to a women's magazine now I see
Lambie to feature on Sunday show about finding a partner and getting Botox shots.
Class is a train which long departed from public life.

 

[pete and tys]

See more joy to the population from our caring politicians.
Barnaby yet another self indulgent, gouging, entitlement abusing scum bag politician.
All sides of politics the same in all communities in all countries. Banks the same type of institution.
I repeat from a former post.......don't give any politician your vote.

 

[TT33]

What politicians seem to forget is that they are really in a way glorified Public Servants, who are paid via the tax payers of this (formerly great) country.

I say formerly great because, for the past 30 or so years ALL of these @*#+s have been solely interested in looking after their own self interests & keeping whichever party they represent in power.
NOT, absolutely NOT, the best interest of the country as a whole & definitely not the long suffering people of this country.

Most of them are Hypocrites & scumbags

Our resources are being pillaged& being sold overseas at ludicrously low prices, whilst we pay exorbitant prices for fuel, energy etc.
Our manufacturing industries have been decimated purely to assist the Chinese trade agreements.

One of our former esteemed leaders (who now has something to do with Hawforn), sold of our electricity assets & justified it by saying that "Governments should not own these assets". He also said that "Prices will go down due to the competition that will eventuate"
I don't know about you guys but I'm still waiting for these LOWER PRICES.

So who did he sell these assets to, the Singapore Government & the Chinese Government. But but but oh well that's different.
And don't tell me that "The State was broke" because that is absolute cr@p. Started by the LNP,endorsed & perpetuated by that wonderful & thoroughly believable Rupert Murdoch organisation News Corp.


I love this country & I can't stomach what these self interested scumbags are doing to it. It's a pity they don't look across the ditch to New Zealand & see what a government that has the countrys best interest at heart is all about.

I'd better stop now & go have a Valium or Scotch or both to calm myself down.

 

[MD Jazz]

I say formerly great because, for the past 30 or so years ALL of these @*#+s have been solely interested in looking after their own self interests & keeping whichever party they represent in power.
NOT, absolutely NOT, the best interest of the country as a whole & definitely not the long suffering people of this country.

Everyone looks after self-interest. Not sure why people expect politicians to be held to a higher standard when they themselves act selfishly.

The long-suffering people? Its a land of immense opportunity, not sure why you expect politicians to do anything for you. Its all available if you have a crack.

 

[tigertim]

What politicians seem to forget is that they are really in a way glorified Public Servants, who are paid via the tax payers of this (formerly great) country.

I say formerly great because, for the past 30 or so years ALL of these @*#+s have been solely interested in looking after their own self interests & keeping whichever party they represent in power.
NOT, absolutely NOT, the best interest of the country as a whole & definitely not the long suffering people of this country.

Most of them are Hypocrites & scumbags

Our resources are being pillaged& being sold overseas at ludicrously low prices, whilst we pay exorbitant prices for fuel, energy etc.
Our manufacturing industries have been decimated purely to assist the Chinese trade agreements.

One of our former esteemed leaders (who now has something to do with Hawforn), sold of our electricity assets & justified it by saying that "Governments should not own these assets". He also said that "Prices will go down due to the competition that will eventuate"
I don't know about you guys but I'm still waiting for these LOWER PRICES.

So who did he sell these assets to, the Singapore Government & the Chinese Government. But but but oh well that's different.
And don't tell me that "The State was broke" because that is absolute cr@p. Started by the LNP,endorsed & perpetuated by that wonderful & thoroughly believable Rupert Murdoch organisation News Corp.


I love this country & I can't stomach what these self interested scumbags are doing to it. It's a pity they don't look across the ditch to New Zealand & see what a government that has the countrys best interest at heart is all about.

I'd better stop now & go have a Valium or Scotch or both to calm myself down.

1. They’re not “glorified” public servants they’re just public servants.

2: Are you claiming there was no state debt when Kennett took over?

 

[TT33]

1. They’re not “glorified” public servants they’re just public servants.

2: Are you claiming there was no state debt when Kennett took over?

Not saying there was no debt, States almost always have debt, but it was manageable (if the incumbent really wanted to manage it). But it didn't suit their underlying philosophy to do so.

At the time of sale the SECV was returning over $1bn to the Victorian economy, whist at the same time supporting local industries & training apprentices, plus the assets (poles, wires & general infrastructure) were properly maintained.
That's not the case now.

Now there are 4 or 5 different companies in the supply chain, ALL OF THEM absolutely striving to MAXIMISE THEIR PROFIT.
That's why we now have amongst the highest energy prices in the world.

Sure the SECV had inefficiencies, but that could have been addressed without resorting the drastic actions they took.

Look at the Water Companies. Fortunately we didn't go down the route of selling MMBW off. Not like South Aus which did & it proved disasterous.

Kennett also sold off our transport system (Vicrail/Vline, MMTB) etc. which still have to be heavily subsidised. So what was really gained in doing that, not much that I an see.

 

[MD Jazz]

Sure the SECV had inefficiencies

Now there's an understatement.

 

[Giardiasis]

What politicians seem to forget is that they are really in a way glorified Public Servants, who are paid via the tax payers of this (formerly great) country.

I say formerly great because, for the past 30 or so years ALL of these @*#+s have been solely interested in looking after their own self interests & keeping whichever party they represent in power.
NOT, absolutely NOT, the best interest of the country as a whole & definitely not the long suffering people of this country.

Most of them are Hypocrites & scumbags

Our resources are being pillaged& being sold overseas at ludicrously low prices, whilst we pay exorbitant prices for fuel, energy etc.
Our manufacturing industries have been decimated purely to assist the Chinese trade agreements.

One of our former esteemed leaders (who now has something to do with Hawforn), sold of our electricity assets & justified it by saying that "Governments should not own these assets". He also said that "Prices will go down due to the competition that will eventuate"
I don't know about you guys but I'm still waiting for these LOWER PRICES.

So who did he sell these assets to, the Singapore Government & the Chinese Government. But but but oh well that's different.
And don't tell me that "The State was broke" because that is absolute cr@p. Started by the LNP,endorsed & perpetuated by that wonderful & thoroughly believable Rupert Murdoch organisation News Corp.


I love this country & I can't stomach what these self interested scumbags are doing to it. It's a pity they don't look across the ditch to New Zealand & see what a government that has the countrys best interest at heart is all about.

I'd better stop now & go have a Valium or Scotch or both to calm myself down.

1. Parliamentarism in Australia has always been about special interests, it's just that people are more anti-private property rights these days hence the problem is more pronounced. There are now more political parties that strive to benefit their special interests at the expense of everyone else.

2. The resources you claim to be "ours" are not "ours". Where do you get such a claim? Why does being born in Ballarat or Cairns or Woollongong mean you can make a claim on the ownership of iron ore deposits in the Pilbara? Why do people that have invested nothing and have taken no risk in exploring, extracting, processing and selling mineral resources get to stake a claim on it? Why do farmers in Queensland risk being thrown in jail if they don't allow gas companies onto their properties?

3. Australia's manufacturing has been decimated because it is too expensive to manufacture things in Australia. You can thank big government for that (high taxes, barriers to imports, regulatory burden, bans on exploration and production, price fixing, inflexible industrial relations policy, wage fixing, etc.).

4. You do realise that there's a bit more to recent high electricity prices than just quasi-privatisation of some Victorian power assets? If you advocate for the government to own power stations why stop there? Why doesn't the government just take ownership of all the means of production? Why even have prices, surely the politicians and their army of bureaucrats can figure out how best to allocate resources to meet consumer demand?

5. New Zealand is traveling further down the socialist road. You complain about the state of parliamentarism, then you praise a political party that is the antithesis of having the best interests of all at heart. They will expropriate more from the wealth generators to give to the wealth consumers and all will be hurt by it.

 

[Brodders17]

1. Parliamentarism in Australia has always been about special interests, it's just that people are more anti-private property rights these days hence the problem is more pronounced. There are now more political parties that strive to benefit their special interests at the expense of everyone else.

2. The resources you claim to be "ours" are not "ours". Where do you get such a claim? Why does being born in Ballarat or Cairns or Woollongong mean you can make a claim on the ownership of iron ore deposits in the Pilbara? Why do people that have invested nothing and have taken no risk in exploring, extracting, processing and selling mineral resources get to stake a claim on it? Why do farmers in Queensland risk being thrown in jail if they don't allow gas companies onto their properties?

3. Australia's manufacturing has been decimated because it is too expensive to manufacture things in Australia. You can thank big government for that (high taxes, barriers to imports, regulatory burden, bans on exploration and production, price fixing, inflexible industrial relations policy, wage fixing, etc.).

4. You do realise that there's a bit more to recent high electricity prices than just quasi-privatisation of some Victorian power assets? If you advocate for the government to own power stations why stop there? Why doesn't the government just take ownership of all the means of production? Why even have prices, surely the politicians and their army of bureaucrats can figure out how best to allocate resources to meet consumer demand?

5. New Zealand is traveling further down the socialist road. You complain about the state of parliamentarism, then you praise a political party that is the antithesis of having the best interests of all at heart. They will expropriate more from the wealth generators to give to the wealth consumers and all will be hurt by it.

how far into the earth should private property rights extend?

and on pt 3, you forgot a minimum wages and immigration laws. if companies could offer workers next to nothing, and hire from overseas when needed they would be able to make bigger profits, and reduce some prices.