Wednesday, October 22, 2008

If there were any doubts

“The NSW National Party leader, Andrew Stoner, says the federal Liberal MP Alby Schultz should be shot after he helped the independent Peter Besseling during the weekend Port Macquarie by-election campaign.
"If I had my way, I'd march him out at dawn, put a blindfold on him and shoot him,'' Mr Stoner said today.” SMH

If there were any doubts about the fascist tendencies of the NSW National Party, Stoner has now dispelled them. Forget the constitutional rights of the electorate to vote for their choice, and accept or reject outside intervention in that choice.

Stoner has gone too far in this intemperate outburst. Frankly I don’t care what Stoner or Turnbull think about the Port Macquarie vote, the involvement of Alby Schultz in the Besseling campaign was never a secret or deterrent to a majority of voters.

The disdainful and high-handed repudiation of voter rights is a mark Stoner’s lack of concern for democratic rights, his belief that the electorate is a Nationals ‘gift’; there is also an implied accusation of stupidity of the voters. He might believe that, but more fool him.

We knew most of that anyway, Stoner’s mentor Mark Vaile made that much clear; but even Vaile was not so crass as to suggest shooting those he disagreed with. We are becoming accustomed to the lack of maturity and poor leadership skills displayed by our political elite, but this outburst really takes the cake.

Stoner’s behaviour is ample proof of why Port Macquarie, and many former National’s members, again turned their backs on the party.

5 comments:

lindsaylobe said...

"If I had my way, I'd march him out at dawn, put a blindfold on him and shoot him."

And no doubt if we all had our way we would stand united in resolve to boot him out of office and harms way.

Best wishes

lindsaylobe said...

Reference: previous posting

Canada’s Deposit Insurance Corp, a federal Crown corporation,has always provided protection for despoits up to $100,000. Contrast that to Australia, which prior to the current moves never saw the need for such a scheme.

In Canada many other moves are afoot; to buy up mortgage backed securities held by the banks and to free up their position so that they make available funds to other financiers.

It was reported the government has short listed some of these initiatives, promises by the government to acquire $25 billion in residential mortgages from them in return for a much needed cash injection, plus governament guarantees for loans to other financiers to encourage much more lending....which has almost stalled !!


Best wishes.

Cartledge said...

I suspect the conservatives of NSW will boot Stoner. The Canadian conservatives are more of a concern; some of the reports coming out look like a real denial of their situation. Their model of federalism helps cover some of it, but we’d have to hope someone can see what is happening.

lindsaylobe said...

As the unwinding of leveraged debt continues it’s important that governments co ordinate action to break the cycle but at the same time keep an eye on aggregate demand growth.
It’s a very different situation to a conventional contraction where you would leave interest rates as they are because of the relatively high inflation rate prevalent. But amid this debt deflation with stalled lending evident to key industries, just waiting patiently for inflation to moderate is not a viable option, as in the meantime the economy will simply come to screetching halt.
Hence the RBA needs to impose a further 100bp of rate cuts well before Christmas and then carefully review aggregate demand once signs are evident the credit crunch is clearly abating. Naturally enough the opposition will try and have a field day. Did you notice Turnbull is now heavily criticizing the unlimited guarantee deposit provisions, after first unequivocally supporting these measures, but refusing to say what is his preferred position. When asked he said’ my position is I want to see what the RBA recommended! ‘
I personally don’t see what the problem of having a cap of 1 million with insurances at cost of an about .20% for those who want the cover over that amount. Such an alternative enraged Tunrbull who claimed erroneously it was tax on savings.
Best wishes

Cartledge said...

Can’t say I have any great appreciation for Turnbull’s abilities. Sure he made money, but that is more to do with his connections and his compliance to their needs. As to Australia’s needs, unless they mesh with his crew I doubt we would see any benefits.
On the other hand I’m impressed by Tanner, more so than by Rudd and Swan. Even more I’ve been impressed by Saul Eslake (seems to be to pick of Aussie economists) and I hope Tanner listens to his modifying suggestions. I’m sure we could be a lot more vulnerable without those guys.