<The anti-pops and their various fifth columns are enemies of the state. Come the next election these anti-family/anti-capitalists will face a far more concerted attack than a blog. I will enjoy their immolation.>

Does this mean I will see well reasoned arguments for the benefits of population growth and the calamity of population decline? I welcome such arguments C. The strength of argument is what matters: The character of the participants is of no relevance to me at least. Look at Thatcher and Reagan in the 1980s. They pulled no punches in criticising communist regimes, but their best argument was the demonstrated economic superiority of capitalism.

Comparatively C, you issue forth ad hominem against population growth sceptics which is unmatched on the forum, but where are your examples of the economic superiority of rapidly growing populations over other growth scenarios? Without evidence your stance is unsupported.

Everything you see around you Fester was built by people = population. The health system that you want to destroy was built by people and a large number of people born over four generations.

Roads, farms, bridges, airports, the whole infrastructure of Australia was built by people or as you like to call them 'population'.

For you Fester, the best argument for population is that our society didn't abort you at birth due to the Stop Population Growth Now mob of loony tunes forcing their anti-birth agenda on Australian society.

Actually Fester, I just noticed that Westpac Bank is bank rolling the Stop Population Growth Now by Any Means mob. Do you find that interesting? I do.

Cat stuck up a tree? Population
Sore back? Population
High power bills? Population
Low power bills? Population

I relish the day when your mob go public.

Cheryl

I dont advocate population growth as either panacea or curse. I consider myself a population growth sceptic. What I do believe in is free choice. Extended to population, I would like to see the population determined by the decision of people to have or not have children as they see fit.

What is your position? I see the argument as an offshoot of the nature vs nurture debate, with growth advocates taking the nature stance, believing that civilisation advances due to the random occurrence of gifted people. Hence more people = more gifted people = faster development. Alternately, those taking the nurture stance advocate that you get a better civilisation if the potential of a population can be fully developed. I take the latter stance, and you might note that such a position is independent of advocating a particular population growth rate. However, I find it hard to believe that the mounting infrastructure debt from Australia's current high growth policy is improving living standards.

The World provides a myriad of societies with different rates of population growth, and surely they provide the best justification for a particular stance?

I advocate the status quo in Australia. Population growth here is about right.

There are major problems in Africa with population.

You are the enemy and will be treated as such in this debate.

See you at the barricades before the election.

I will be wearing the tricolour.

Cheryl you have lost the argument!

You just wont admit it!

http://theage.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/make-room-state-population-set-to-soar-20120424-1xi6l.html

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-population-growth-continues/2533386.aspx

http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2012/03/population-growth-review/

I could go on and on posting comments on articles in various online publications.

The majority of reader comments are against population growth, particularly due to lack of infrastructure provision to cater for it.

And it is not restricted to online publications but talk back radio etc.

Dick Smith, Sir David Attenborough and Kelvin Thompson and other prominent Australians and non-Australians have done a wonderful job at dissolving the fear that the public previously felt about expresing views against immigration, re-colonisatiom (passed off as multiculturalism these days) and population growth in general.

Cheryl you would be one of a very small group at those baracades at the next election.