Not so Swilkie.We need those who have money because on average they also have intelligence.Good genetics means better intelligence and hence prosperity.

We need both to pay all the taxes for the less abled lay abouts and leftist intellectuals to pontificate about the evils of capitalism.

Spot on Colinsett and David Boaz (both 13/11). Directing a much greater aid effort towards refugee black spots and fertility-reduction in third-world countries are two vital policies that need to go hand in hand with much-reduced immigration and much-increased effort on real sustainability in Australia.

Going off on a bit of a tangent, in response to David Boaz – where on earth are the Greens and Democrats at with all of this? Why aren’t they leading the way? Where is their expression on real sustainability issues? And to think I not only used to be a member of the Democrats, then the Greens, but I ran for state parliament for the Greens! But boy did they both just completely lose me over the Tampa issue.

Alright, I’ll put a sock in it….. and go to bed.

Philo - once again you miss my point. Sigh. Perhaps I am too subtle for you. I was pointing out to redneck that colour of skin does not necessarily indicate values which are compatible - as I pointed out I have no values in common with redneck and come from common celtic stock who migrated to Australia many generations ago - supposedly that would place me in rednecks culture and, of course, it doesn't.

Now Meg is asking who will be accepted as an Australian citizen and who won't - now Philo do you know what irony is? I set myself up as redneck's judge and jury and stated that he should leave. Thus emphasizing Meg's point as to who should play God. I don't have any more right to demand that redneck leave than I do to expect my immigrant friends to leave because of the colour of their skin.

Personally Philo your exchanges with me throughout this forum suggests that you just like to disagree with me on principle.

And redneck - multiculturalism will fail by the shortsighted and narrow perspective of people like you.

Life isn't perfect, everyday we make compromises with people (white/black/whatever) who we may or may not like (bosses, door bitches, driving in traffic) we do this to get along. All you contribute of this forum is a constant stream of hatred. Do you only mix with white people, do you not get out in this world at all? Many years ago I was raped by a caucasian man - I don't hate all white men as a result. Recently an Indian woman took it upon herself to give me a great deal of support when I was injured at work - no gain for herself - she simply wanted to help and was in a position to do so.

Redneck if you take your hostility out into the world every day - then that is what you will receive.

On the contrary, Mr Swilkie, the notion that a potential citizen could buy their way into Australia has much to recommend it.

Australia, like every other country settled by white Europeans, is one of the best countries in the world. We could charge potential immigrants a million bucks a head for the privelege of immigrating to this country and we would still have to beat them of with sticks at the immigration office.

Could you imagine 100,000 new immigrants per year paying a million bucks each for the prvelege of becoming Aussie citizens? That would be $100 billion dollars a year added to our economy. Hey, even the Labor Party could balance a budget with that much cash.

Better still, most people with that kind of money are usually of the brighter sort who are productive and law abiding. This would help offset the thirty years of politically correct immigration into this country which has seen crime rates spiral upwards and crushing welfare bills which threaten to beggar us all.

We have enough Moe and Maquarie Fields types in this country already who are looting the public purse while selling drugs, bonking themselves silly and stealing our cars. And we most definitely do not need any more like that. The last thing Australia needs is any more addict littered Cabramatta's or bullet swept Bankstown's to add to our intractable and expensive social problems.

Dear Meg

As an Australian living in New Zealand I have to take issue with your claim that 'Kiwis don’t get the sheep jokes thing, and are slightly concerned about Aussies’ fascination with the theme.'

Come off it! I dare say they invented the slurs (they certainly claim – ad nauseam mind you - that they invented everything else of peripheral importance...)

And I hope with the claim that, 'Kiwis encounter a watered-down, jokey form of racism' [in Australia], you are not for a second suggesting that the reverse is not true.

From my experience there is a constant theme of 'anti-Australianism' in this country (primarily through the media) which I really do not think can be compared to Australian jibes at Kiwis. However whilst you happily call whatever comments Australians make 'racist' I'm more convinced that Kiwi comments are based on a deep held sense of inferiority which they happily project on Australians (Kiwi’s do LOVE calling Australians arrogant and American - I think it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy and loved…)

Time and time again redneck ( well at least twice ) you have claimed that you and perhaps others " have the lefties on the run!" - dont quite see it myself; it may be they take time out to have a latte' or two, or take the labradoodle for a walk in the park - but they always seem to return; relaxed and confortable they may be but on the run? I dont think so.

And While I am loathe to join you guys in the tangential bickering I fell compelled: You and Arjay seem to think assets equate with intelligence and goodness - thats a bit of a stretch;

Consider for a moment Bond, Skase,Herscu, Willimas (HIH) Adler, the onetel boys, Martha Stweart, Abe Goldberg , G Balos and F A Pugliese. Ansty customers one and all - the seemed to have a hankering for other peoples money in the best spirit of capitalism. The well to do have no mortgage proper conduct or intelligence

With respect to the list, one that could be expeanded with ease let me add..... as an unreconstructed leftie I do not confuse rat cunning with intelligence or correlate material success with ethical or good behaviour I leave that to those who subscribe the theory of the protestant work ethic - and those who, in aspiring to gather more stuff around them, are blinded to the conduct of those who already have lots of it.

I must go now; I have chattering to do, chardonnay to drink - I might even go to the Anti IR Rally in Mellbourne and meet up with a few comrades; aahh how I miss the barricades.