Another idea - e-mail, call or post a letter to your LOCAL...

Another idea - e-mail, call or post a letter to your LOCAL federal member (especially if they are labor). They will be the ones worried about getting re-elected and will hopefully convey their feelings up the political chain. Remember - all politicians care about is getting re-elected (it is their job pretty much) and they'll swiftly do an about face on any issue if they think it will help in that pursuit.


Here are a few key excerpts (a few ideas for your letters perhaps) from my e-mail to my local labor member:

****excerpt

I am a constituent in your electorate and I regretfully supported The Labor Party at the last election.

Your party's recent announcements regarding tax reform show a complete lack of economic literacy. In particular my primary concern is the references to 'super profit' taxes on resource companies. This is akin to trying to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Our resources industry keeps this country afloat ? especially our currency and ability to import capital.

Kevin Rudd's comments on Radio 6PR this morning where he mentioned "a normal rate of return" being the rightful profit (as opposed to 'excessive' profits) for companies had alarm bells ringing in my head. I could barely believe what I was hearing. These comments about 'excessive profits' have there roots in the Labour Theory of Value assumed by the classical economists that inevitability led to Karl Marx and other socialist ideas. The underlying assumptions of this theory are false and both theory and history have shown this to be the case.

...

To give you a brief lesson - market economies (which are the absolute foundation of improving living standards) only work when there is profit motive and property rights. Why would entrepreneurs, businessmen, investors and companies want to spend vast amounts of money and take large risks (with their own capital) developing mines if they are to be expropriated of the bulk of any profits they may realise?

Just for being an Australian I do not for one moment believe that I am ?entitled? to share the profits of an entrepreneur who risks his own time and money exploring and developing a mine in some remote part of the country (or any other venture in any part of the country for that matter). I am thankful for the entrepreneur who has had the courage to take these risks because I understand that is where jobs, wealth and increased living standards come from. I know jobs and wealth definitely do not come from Government decree ? no matter how well intentioned, or otherwise.

...

A recently released book by US Austrian school economist Peter Schiff titled 'How an Economy Grows and Why It Crashes' is aimed at educating the non-economist in basic economic concepts in a very easy-to-read way. I highly recommend you read this book - I will gladly give you my copy if you would like.

etc...
****end excerpt

Cheers all,
Ben