Dalma
sometimes one needs to be 'colorful' to make a point. But the charge "thoughtless xenophobia" is about as shallow a response as one can get. How in the world to you get 'xenophobia' (fear of 'race') from my attack on "China incorporated". Though I didn't use that term, its certainly what I'm clearly on about. Without a manufacturing base in Australia, we are pretty well doomed. If we don't 'make' anything producing income, we have ZERO to offer in terms of trade balance. We are not a sponge, we cannot just keep absorbing imports, and one day the iron ore will run out.

Lets not be naive or stupid here, the Chinese are out to KILL many of our industries. Did u note that word ? "KILL" Textiles, electronics, Furniture etc. If you don't agree with the word, what would you use ?

I am SERIOUS about the idea of blockading Chinese containers, not because they are 'chinese' but because they are a threat to our survival. The 'chineseness' is incidental, could be Japanese, American or anyone. But China is the one with the NON level playing field, the 'labor rates by central committe dictate'.

The Japanese grew by doing things 'better/smarter' The chinese are growing because of cruel and heartless exploitation of the masses.

Now, in case u have not caught up with the rest of the world yet, trade is usually the issue which starts WARS. When one country is being ground into the dirt by another, it does things to counter this.

A few blockades of the docks and Airports with signs "FLOAT YOUR CURRENCY" prominently displayed, might just have the right impact, making China less UNfairly competitive and we more 'FAIRly' competitive.

I find the xenophobic remark offensive, insulting and pathetic.

The woeful thing about union power is they are just focusing on those industries which are pretty well insulated (at this stage) from the impact of cheap imports. They are after our exports industries and infrastructure.

Boaz, you may be surprised, but I do agree with your last point. It's no good bleating about all our industries going offshore into the hands of other countries out to make a buck and doing it cheaper. In a capitalist society however, what is the solution? Capitalism is all about making maximum profit without regard to any other consideration (ie workers wages, conditions, environmental impact, social order et al). Who are the watchdogs? Some unions are like a castrated pit bull dog on a short chain. Others are more Benji in their (non) approach. Shouldn't govt be the watchdogs? Democratic Govts, as opposed to dictatorships, are supposed to govern for the good of whole society, not their own narrow economic/voter support base. I don't think we are seeing this happening. The most important consideration is where do the decisions made by Govt. leave its citizen's/workers/businesses. Who thought that off-shoring Telstra sales jobs to New Delhi was a good idea besides Alexander Downer?