this is waht john howard will do to our kids, page-31

re: this is what john howard will do to our kids LOL jonesy,

With all due respect (actually not much respect IS due to you come to think of it) I suspect that my knowledge of US working conditions is at least as good as yours if not better. I spent a number of years living and working in the US.

There is little logic to what you suggest. As I understand it you are saying that it's OK for wages to be lower than they are because the govt can supplement them with handouts. Hardly an economically efficient procedure and not one that usually accords with those who express your political persuasions. Clearly, you haven't thought out a viable position.

It is a travesty of our capitalistic system if working people are unable to live even a basic life style without government handouts.

With regard to Howard not wishing to compromise his chances of re-election if workers are worse off following his "reforms". Frankly, I am increasingly of the opinion that he no longer cares about an election result. Perhaps he has made up his mind not to face the next election. No, what Howard cares most about his legacy in the eyes of the idealogs who set him up in the seat of power. Hence we have the idealogically driven abolition of student unions, "reform" of media laws which will hand over power to his media mates, change of our voting system which will help to enshrine the libs in permanent power and this attack upon basic Australian working practices.

Hubris is of course an occupational hazard for all pollies after a long period in power but Howard has it in spades...