Beautifully expressed, Banjo Paterson--from pastoral to lament. Most appropriate.

Let me say that I'm very disappointed that this thread has ended the way it has. The troglodites and flat-earthers, non-thinkers to a man and women, seem to have prevailed and genuine thinkers have been thwarted by all manner of ridiculous prevarication and gibberish.

Not much hope for us humans I'm afraid, not while the LCD and their brain-dead supporters hold the reins of power.

Nick, you would also do well to vary your reading beyond the handful of authors on the fringe of economics. Your criticism of conventional economics is like a blind man critiquing a painting he has never seen.

Your arrogance in assuming that your "political economics" (which is basically a cobbled together hodgepodge of conspiracy theories, unsupported polemics from low grade academics, and future fantasy) is intellectually superior to the thousands of man years of research by Phds, Nobel Laureates etc, is delusional.

To claim that thousands of researchers around the world have thrown their academic principles to the wind to generate propaganda is pathetic.

Shadow Minister,
You make an excellent point--when I'm not attacking acadame I'm defending it--and I do find it hard to believe all economists have been seduced by the dark side. Can you please refer me to some of the more thoughtful economists, or their writings; or merely where I might consult their credentials.
My area of expertise is Lit. Crit., so I know no shame.

Seriously. I wish to learn.

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Dear David G.

.

Don't let it get you down, old mate. Here's something to cheer you up:

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FRYING PAN'S THEOLOGY

Scene: On Monaro,

Dramatis Personae: Shock-headed blackfellow, Boy (on a pony).

Snowflakes are falling

So gentle and slow,

Youngster says, "Frying Pan,

What makes it snow?"

Frying Pan confident

Makes the reply -

"Shake 'im big flour bag

Up in the sky!"

"What! when there's miles of it!

Sur'ly that's brag.

Who is there strong enough

Shake such a bag?"

"What person tellin' you

Ole Mister Dodd,

Tell you in Sunday-school?

Big feller God!

He drive 'im bullock dray,

Then thunder go,

He shake 'im flour bag -

Tumble down snow!"

.

Squeers,

There are thousands of brilliant economists.

Here are two of the better known:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Maynard_Keynes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Friedman