Income and wealth inequality seem to be getting quite a bit of press. Research in the UK published under the title “The Spirit Level” (by Richard Wilson and Kate Pickett) indicated a plethora of social indicators exacerbated by high levels of income inequality, research supported by other work in the USA. Phillip Adams wrote in the Weekend Australian, News Limited’s Australian flagship, about the growing problem. (Adams mentioned gina Rheinhart, James Packer and a number of north American wealthy, yet his boss rupert Murdock failed to score a mention) (Access to the Murdock site is of course limited to subscription, although it appears the profits of his operations are not subject to Australian Taxation)
Today we received feedback from “Disgusted of Tolmie” on the issue. We publish this diatribe without reservation.
Gentlemen,
Some years ago in Europe,the multinationals tried to rearrange democracy. Basically they tried to fix the system so that they had the right to overrule decisions made by sovereign governments. Astonishingly, they had huge support in this from both the middle and the right, the argument being that anything, any law, any piece if legislation that stood in the way of ‘free trade’ created sufficient grounds for the multis involved to sue the pants off governments. This attempt to usurp the democratic process by bankrupting, or threatening to bankrupt governments was rejected and we all heaved a sigh of relief. That governments would even consider these proposals in the first place truly frightened people and Europeans made it absolutely clear to their governments that the very idea was totally unacceptable.
The Multis retired, grumbling.
Now this rat faced right wing son-of -a-bitch Prime Minister of ours is off in Asia promoting precisely the same agenda with the blessing of multis who are in pursuit of new markets. Naturally, these new markets are much easier targets than those in Europe and perhaps less able to defend themselves against the corporate world.
I am cheered by Indonesia’s refusal to have Abbott’s government treat them like lesser mortals. The days of the coolie, of the patronizing pat on the head, the ‘beads and blankets’ form of diplomacy are all over. Abbott’s trades people and ambassadors are, to their great surprise and perhaps dismay, discovering this to be true, all over Asia. This is why these ill bred, sub British Empire louts have spent the last few months grovelling to governments all over Asia because their high-handed attitude has earned them nothing but opprobrium. It also buoys me to think that all of Asia, having seen the Abbott gang in their true 19th century Empire colours, might be less willing now to enter into trade agreements with a government headed by this repellent little man. A man who, after such a short period in office, has already traded the highest office in the land for an ambassadorial role on behalf of the multinationals. For thirty contemptible pieces of silver, for a mess of potage.
Disgusted of Tolmie
Disgusted has been pointed in Tarquin O’Flaherty’s direction in the hope that this is linked to Man as Machine at some stage. We wait, passively, in hope.
