No Lexi, that’s categorically not what I said. What I did say was that as voting intentions are recorded this week, 70% will not be voting for the ALP. Your acknowledgement of this would be appreciated.

I made no reference to Abbott or the LNP, but if the cap fits I’m sure it will suit you. Not like you at all, what’s with you at the moment, you are thrashing!

Peter King,

<< Your comments are wasted on this lot...too sensible >>

Good for you. The proletariat needs to be put in its place by those who stand behind the high moral ramparts and dictate their moral and intellectual superiority, driven by a desire to create abstract “thought bubbles” for the benefit of all mankind. Especially your mention of runner and hasbeen, they will be so impressed.

Perhaps you might consider visiting our planet again at some point in the future, might we suggest you time your next visit for about September 15th?

We agree that it has been some time since you last visited us and I’m sure Graham Young will devour your comments in abject appreciation. Unfortunately for you, during the time of your absence, the world has moved on a century or so and some of us have wised up to those who pretend to be our intellectual superiors.

Karl Marx and Max Webber are actually dead; sorry about that but someone had to break the bad news to you.

Lexi is of course correct when she admits to scrolling past those who write under certain Monica’s, after all as you would appreciate, who wants to listen to anyone who might have a contrary opinion to which they are not entitled?

Some of us have absolutely no idea where you have been during your absence but we do wish you bon voyage, call again soon as we wait with baited breath for your next self opinionated, quasi-intellectual pontifications that we are sure will add value, if not to us, perhaps to some of the single cell organisms to which you seem to be intellectually affiliated

Peter King, "Total waste of time this forum...I think Graham Young ought to consider a new career"

Yet you post on it!

Why don't you have the decency and manners to take any personal beefs you have up with Graham Young privately? That is what the rules say too. It is the coward's way to attack the site administrator in a thread knowling full well that it is unlikely he would see your gutless attack.

Honestly, try that stunt on other forums and you would be banned forthwith and rightly so.

There is only one factor that has any relevance in regard to judging the opinion of this govt as each side reports and promotes their version of the truth: that is public opinion.

In contrast to the tossers that imply we have a poor media or that Aust is supposedly in some golden age and the masses should know better, the Australian people are good enough to separate the truth from the rot and make up their minds come judgment day.

Simple reality is that Labor is getting the boot. Why? Because Labor and the galahs promoting its cause were not good enough. Labor had six years, but now it has only itself to blame for the likely defeat

Peter King, which eye do you open in the morning, It certainly can't be both?

Has it ever occurred to you that any media that constantly agrees with your opinion, must be left of Khrushchev?

Good morning,

Intriguing discussion. Thank you.

@Spindoc, re “We see and we no like, we no follow. Oui?”

Absolument, Spindoc!

In 2007 Australia’s economy was well behind Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Luxembourg. Similarly placed to Sweden and Austria. That’s on GDP growth, income, employment and current account.

Now, after the worst global upheavals since the 1930s, Australia is ahead of them all. By a street. And the gap is growing.

Of all those European countries, only Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have triple A credit ratings with stable outlook with all major agencies – along with Australia.

Europe is looking in amazement at Australia’s handling of the GFC. They wish they had followed you. Non?

@Peter King, re: “disappointing that there are no sites where reasoned discussions can be held.”

Another version of this piece, slightly edited, appears here:

http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/tony-abbotts-budget-reply-porkie-pies/

You may prefer that discussion, Peter.

@Runner, re: “they have seen what socialist Governments have done to Europe with their huge Government spending with nothing to show for it”

Not all socialist governments, Runner. Some are doing better than others. Poland’s stimulus response when the GFC hit was very similar to Australia’s in timing and direction. Just not as vast. Poland was the only other OECD nation to avoid two negative quarters.

Management now is also not uniform. Some travelling better than others.

Re: “if Alan wants to be taken serious he would not be quoting the IMF.”

Most data comes from tradingeconomics.com, Runner. Do you recommend other sources? Happy to read further.

@Hasbeen, re: the ABC “is the best lefty propaganda Machine on earth, since the old Communist Russia collapsed.”

Hmmm. Do you still listen/watch, Hasbeen? Those who do have seen a dramatic shift recently.

@Chris Lewis, re “There is only one factor that has any relevance in regard to judging the opinion of this govt… that is public opinion.”

So would you have opposed women voting in the 1890s, Chris? Aborigines voting in the 1950s? Opening trade with China in the 1970s? Cutting tariffs in the 1980s? All those were overwhelmingly opposed by public opinion.

Cheers,

judging by some comments here we should raise the voting age to 45 & have people sit a test.