This has been a truly constructive series of posts and I find little with which I can really disagree. My problem is in trying to figure out exactly how we, in this country at least, can prevent our governments from pursuing the same goals of perpetual growth yet again; how we can ensure they do not allow our environment to be unsustainably exploited both locally and, as far as they can, globally; how we can ensure they take meaningful steps to distribute our wealth more equitably among all.

Our major parties are very much the lackeys of big business and seem to be voted in time after time by a basically apathetic populace.

Any thoughts?

Belly you have right about me.
There is a huge difference between capitalists from sector to sector, from country to country from time to time.
Also there is a huge diference between political parties left and right or even for the same political parties from country to country from time to time.
I am a left, non communist, mainly I am against the conservatives and some times against the labors too.
The labor parties (they are member in the Socialist International, as the socialist and social-democratic parties) but generaly the labor parties from the agglosaxon world are the most conservative.
I vote you because I have no other choice but when I have the opportunity to punch you I do it.
Generaly I am not happy with you but the other are much worst.
Personaly I am with the ordinary people, with workers, migrants, women, retired people, children, producers, creators, small, middle level industry, science and technology
I am not with banks, mass media, monopolies, olygarchs, multinational companies and with any one with low social and human sensitivities.
I try to put my self in the middle, some times I try to pull people to come where I am and some times I try to push people to go forward.
You have right my steps are not fix but my direction is very clear, at least for me!
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

Kulu

"Our major parties are very much the lackeys of big business and seem to be voted in time after time by a basically apathetic populace."

By having what we almost have now - enough independents in the senate who can veto at best or modify any legislature which is not in the best interest of all Australians. Big business will discover that the free ride is over.

RobP I am in agreement with Bronwyn that greed is at the core of our problems. Majority of people are not lazy - or this world wouldn't function as well as it does; for example we take it for granted that when we turn on a power switch energy is available.

Unfettered capitalism has failed - a result of this is a wonderful opportunity to create a foundation for a balanced system.

I remain optimistic.

*No, I don't worry about laziness. I'm much more worried about greed.*

I guess that is debatable, as both as people acting in their self
interest.

So I have a question for you :)

Bill Gates, world's richest man, was he greedy to invent Windows
and become the world's richest man?

If you think that he was greedy, why is he a problem and those
who contribute nothing, are lazy and want others to pay their
bills, not a problem?

Fractelle,

What you and Bronwyn say about laziness vs greed is correct when looking in the here and now. However, when looking at the really big picture, what is happening in the economic world today is no more than a final restoration of parity given that in much earlier times these aspects were much different or reversed. In other words, what we're seeing now is just a completion of the cycle in the effort and reward-for-effort dimensions.

I agree though that greed in the economy is at crisis point at the current time. How to solve it though?

Kulu,

Some thoughts.

Seeing as though regulation has been tried before, revisiting the same legislation probably won't work. We can let companies like Pacific Dunlop go offshore, but ensure all taxpayer assistance is severed. Then start supporting the fledgling companies that take their place. This would be a good time for industry diversification.

Overall, the best way to get a flatter, fairer and more equitable arrangement is to make the economy as diverse as possible so we have many strings to our bow. That is, when one industry isn't doing so well due to the inevitable ups and downs of the business cycle, another is bringing home the bacon.

The key to getting rid of the bumps is to remove obstacles so as to increase opportunities and participation for individuals and smaller businesses (the analogy I'd use here is the mathematical concept of the Fourier Series, where a large number of waveforms of different frequencies can be added together to make a flat platform - think of the platform in this case as a steady national GDP/production/output/profit). This would either mean breaking down big companies into smaller units or forcing the bigger companies to move offshore or to some other place so they don't compete with, and ultimately destroy, small and medium-sized businesses. It would also mean Government not monstering the "atoms" that make up the economy as well.

Microsoft loses court case - and $521m
12 Aug 2003 A federal court in Chicago has ruled that Microsoft must pay $521m to a web technology company and the University of California after finding that the software giant's Internet Explorer infringed on their patents.
http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,10005549,00.htm

1 Nov 2002 The case against Microsoft had been brought by the US Justice Department as well as 18 states and Washington D.C.
Half the states joined the Justice Department's settlement, but nine continued with the lawsuit.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/652150.stm

September 17, 2007
European Union court rejects Microsoft's appeal in historic case
The European Union's Court of First Instance handed Microsoft a major defeat on Monday, slapping down the software maker's appeal in three significant areas of the historic antitrust case brought by the European Commission.

21 Apr 2006
Court rules Microsoft, Autodesk must pay $US133m
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Michigan man on Wednesday was awarded $US133 million by a Texas jury in a patent dispute against Microsoft and Autodesk, a spokeswoman for Microsoft said.
http://www.crn.com.au/News/31832,court-rules-microsoft-autodesk-must-pay-us133m.aspx

19 May 2006 Symantec sues Microsoft over storage tech
Symantec has launched a suit charging Microsoft with misappropriating its intellectual property and with violating a licence related to data storage technology.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Symantec-sues-Microsoft-over-storage-tech/0,130061733,139257109,00.htm?feed=pt_court

28/01/2009 Microsoft Faces Friendly Court at Home, but Not So Much in EU
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/blogs/dunn/microsoft-faces-friendly-court-at-home-but-not-so-much-in-eu/?cs=30115

Yabby do not worry Bill Gate will not go in prison,
THE PRISON IS FOR THE GIRL WHO STEAL A CHOCKOLATE!
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide