yes folks we have high inflation here ... , page-4

siameseparrot...

Exchange rate improvements (Aussie compared to many of our trading partners), has to some extent obscured the true underlying rate of local inflation.

We have maintained an inflation rate of about 3.5%, yet in this period the exchange rate has significantly improved in our favour, which, given our balance of trade, one would expect should have significantly reduced the base rate of inflation.

Over the last 18 months or so, Australia has effectively been living an economic lie...a false economy as it were...enjoying the padding afforded by the increasing exchange rates. Growth is shot in all but mining and agriculture...and interestingly, these are two areas that poor economic management will not have too much of a detrimental effect.

This has not stopped them trying their hardest to stuff these up also mind you!

Economically, Australia was in an extremely healthy position as the world fell into the GFC hole...and we have both Labour (Keating/Hawke) and Liberal (Costello/Howard), to thank for this.

We were all doing well, in spite of comparatively high interest rates (globally) and importantly, realtively stringent lending criteria...all of which effectively prepared us for the period to come via a more robust banking and financial system.

I rarely talk politics...but the current lot have well and truly killed the golden goose and should be removed before they do any more damage!

Decades of intelligent fiscal management is being hacked away in a few short years...and before anyone chooses to blame the global crisis for this...DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT...we would be significantly better off now, even with the GFC's mark I and II, if a more responsible, fiscally prudent lot were in control.

Gillard/Rudd/Men in Black (doesn't matter who)..."current lot"...appear more intent on meeting pre-determined agenda and conducting "money shot" politics...clearly aimed to appease various factions and/or groups and thrust poorly timed ideology down our throats for the sake of it...rather than to actually govern, and manage the economy, in the best interests of all Australians.

The environment is the first to suffer when economies stumble...push too hard and this is exactly what will happen to Australia. We need to balance growth and development with conservation and the environment...no need to exclude one from the other.

Further...the "welfare state" ceases to function when you tax those who fund it to extinction...or run genuine business out of town on some misguided ideals...again we need balance and prudent fiscal management, not blind ideology.

I am utterly ashamed of the people we currently have at the helm of this country...mostly professional politicians, who by stealth have become very good at what they do (being politicians), but who would barely rate, even in middle management, in most Australian Companies with more than 100 staff.

I do not completely blame politicians for this by the way and also lay blame on the media; for focussing on insignificant guff and fluff, and scandal, personalities and "the game"...instead of "keeping the bastards honest" as they should, by making them accountable...ACCOUNTABLE...to the things that matter, which the last time I looked, most journalists like to lay claim to doing.

Where are the decent journo's...who report facts, without party affiliations, and better still, actually understand the subjects they are dealing with?

Has everyone simply lost their way?

It appears both our journo's and our pollies, are committed to a race to the bottom...and taking the country with it!

Cheers!