We live in a world where vast masses of capitol go around the globe in search of a profit return, and then the process begins anew. Capitol that is invested in factory production today seeks its greatest return through cutting jobs and conditions. That process known to workers as faster, faster, faster, whereby fewer and fewer must do the work of many along with the removal of any conditions that hinder the rate of exploitation. It is this process that wields the axe: the never-ending pressure to eliminate jobs, extend the lengthening of the working day and leave a potential workforce on the dole, fallow and idle. Billions of people globally produce all the wealth in society but governments are driving masses into poverty with more to come.

To this, we could add that large amounts of capitol scour the world endlessly, for the higher rate of return, irrespective of what that entails, such as plundering the resources of weaker nations or the expanding war industry contractors. This industry is highly profit motivated and attracts a type that seeks or leans towards a military solution. There is also a vicious grasping layer in the stock markets who demand access to the nation’s resources such as water, electricity, gas, hospitals, Medicare, ambulance, dental, universities, pre-schools, schools, fire engine services, all types of pension entitlements. Over a hundred years of political lies that weep “no money” has overseen a social system of entitlements and trusts that we pay two and a half to three times over - largely handed over to the politician’s cronies. Despite all the fraudulent lies and political cover that serves to shield, this is still grand larceny

good post johncee1945,

The private equity takeover of the already privatised QANTAS is nothing more than an attempt to steal the livelihoods of thousands more of QANTAS's workforce, by exporting thier jobs to low wage economies. What little, if any, benefit that consumers may get back will be inconsequential compared to the devastation that this will cause to the lives of QANTAS's workforce and, indirectly, to the broader community.

In any case, is an economy viable, if all of its workers, whose jpobs ae not exported, are on third word wages? That is where we are headed if this trend is not stopped.

Hi Dagget, yes you make good points. Firstly the governments globally, defend the profit system, turning everything into dollars oblivious to the ramifications on workers jobs and crucial air safety. What at first seems weird and illogical, is only the politicians method of profiteering being worked out. This takes the form of undermining the most vital and life threatening safety procedures and maintenance. After all, it is difficult to think of something that has more physical stresses placed on them than planes. And surely, after a couple of decades of constant cuts to vital maintenance this must be a potent if not deciding factor in many of the aircraft accidents that have taken place around the globe? Their standard response to accidents is to have an enquiry designed to whitewash and exonerate, a cover up that clouds the underlying causes.Qantas had an excellent safety record, on par with the best in the world, over a very long period. Chiefly, it was through the sacrifice of workers mostly through strike action that buttressed that record over the constant government attempts to put profits and cost cutting before safety - both Labor and Liberal. For instance, brazenly in 1988 the Hawke Labor government put the wrecking hammer into the Department of Civil Aviation that had regulated air safety for decades, replaced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with its thrust towards making a profit and market oriented. What is left of Qantas after it has been asset stripped is being hived off here and overseas.

Throughout the public service both governments have destroyed thousands of jobs – one job in every three. The big picture with these governments in wrecking the social infrastructure such as hospitals and Medicare, is to reduce not only the quality and richness of life, but life itself.

Yeah, but Johncee, I've always been of the view that you need to look at motive for these kinds of things. It's all well and good to say that privatisation is leading our economy in the wrong direction (I heartily agree with you) but the question then becomes, why are these politicians intent on doing it?

You speak of the profit motivation - yes, that drives everyone, but most politicians don't personally gain from their vote to privatise a company. Cynics can speak of bribery and campaign contribution shenannigans all they want (and these things do occur) but ultimately we are dealing with an ideology here, where those in favour of privatisation do genuinely believe it will lead to an improvement in services and is the better option.

I for one, believe that you need to confront the issue on these grounds - the case has to be made, that growth does necessarily hinge on deregulation. This is the mantra that drives this system - the trickle down effect of the rich economy.

Fred Argy recently wrote a brilliant OLO piece, and while the topic was income equity v economic performace, the issues are intertwined.

Mr. right then left turn you are providing a political cover for the politicians.
We are still dealing with a grasping layer of politicians who have an almost pathological hatred towards the social conditions in society. Mostly the politicians do things for gain, directly and indirectly, but not always, sometimes they laugh and cheer about closing down public facilities. They have a myriad advisors and they understand that there are consequences to what they are doing, such as, closing down wards or hospitals. And in the schools, the corosive attacks that have taken place in education by starving schools of funding. Look at two instances being childcare and primary. A significant layer of children in their ealiest years of development will be handicapped and left behind, not only in knowledge but elementary skills and problem solving. The politicians new before the invasion of Iraq that the weapons of mass destruction were lies, used to justify an invasion - they were briefed.

I do believe they have connections to agencies of world domination.One person to watch in our present gov. is turnbull with his smooth approach. Just follow the money trail.This is probably seen as a simplified view,but hey why look so deeply when it is shown on the surface? We should be able to tell our government "take back all the services where people depend on,like water etc." Privatisation is a BIG mistake! Whoever owns the water and food, owns the people.

It is all about ideology. Politicians will create the climate in which they think chances of re election and retaining power is highest. Liberal philosophy is about minimal government interference and belief that capitalism brings the greater good for a society.

Socialist thinking on the other hand, where there is a belief in government control of varying degrees for the greater good of a society, has neatly been portrayed as evil.

I think capitalism in the form driven by the economic behemoth the USA is as dangerous to the well-being of a society as is communism. In Australia we are well on this way. This is the greatest threat to 'Australian Values'. Don't worry about non Anglo non Christian immigrants.

Recently the UNICEF brought out a paper on the well being of children.
In this it shows that the well being of children is not dependent on the economic power of the nation, but dependent on good social policies. The children of the richest nation on this Earth are at the bottom of the heap.

Johncee... I can't help but feel you're a little divorced from reality... I suggest you go and talk to your local member about your concerns. Believe it or not, politicians are people just like the rest of us.
Yvonne is right in that they'll alter conditions to suit their chances of being re-elected - though they're doing what they're doing for ideological reasons.

Your notion that politicians are all evil, and need to be stopped is kind of flawed. Who would you replace them with? Sooner or later you're going to end up with the same system again.

I heartily agree that privatisation is wrong - I don't like it, and I certainly don't support it. But ultimately: Politicians are just people - you can disagree with them sure but they're not some kind of evil empire specifically out to get you.

Turn right then left. Careful you are not turning to the right again.
"Politicians are just people - but they're not some kind of evil empire specifically out to get you."

I have never subscribed to moralising about politicians that 'they are evil'or extreme subjectivism such as 'just out to get me.' Clearly, it is their criminal politics that determine their criminal actions. ' And what are their politics that they actively fight for day in, day out. To shovel all the wealth into the top 1 or 2 percent in society, such as banks, petrol/oil cartels, big landlords, media barons such as Murdoch etc., irrespective, of how much wealth they have, and of course plenty for the polliticians. 'Capitalism at all costs.' As well, 'workers have no rights and management has every right.' 'You voted for us and we are going to make you pay for it.' Let us not forget their use of racism to scapegoat immigrants.

They get into Parliament fraudulently through deceit and treachery and it doesn't stop there. Through lies and treachery, took this country to an illegal war in Iraq with 655,000 deaths and an estimated 3 to 4 million casualties. This was a country that had lost three quarters of a million people through US sanctions placed on medicine, so that disease would spread. Those most affected were the aged and children. What sort of criminals place sanctions on medicine? This week in Sydney the government have closed down a surgery ward in St. Vincents hospital despite long waiting lists for surgery. Closing down hospital wards or hospitals is not exactly unknown in this country. It was not that long ago the government closed down the Childrens hospital in Sydney that over the decades had built up a very experienced and specialised staff. Let us not forget the mental homes the governments closed down, throwing the patients out on the street. You do not seem overly concerned,almost indifferent and rationalizing or appologising for their actions.

The difference is Johncee - rather than just rail about how bad everything is, I try to take an approach that looks at solutions.

You're not putting forward any solutions. You can say how bad the politicians are, but then what? get rid of them? What then? Is your new government going to be any different?

On a practical level, we're living in a blessed country - though I fear it won't be if we continue down a free market path that is being embraced. I'd rather oppose it from a practical standpoint than an extremist one. No offence, but if you approach the political system using the language you are now, you will get absolutely nowhere.

And yes, I believe the system isn't quite as bad as you paint. The problem is with the policies embraced by major political parties - but those parties are predicated on votes, and votes are determined by perception. The business community has done a fine job of convincing the public that their best interests are also the best interests of the public. There's where your main problem is.

Well, if you consider a public utility like Telstra which used to belong to 'the people', being taken off the people and then being sold back to some of them at a price which later dropped - it looks more like a triple-whammy extortion-scam rather than simple theft.

Is anybody else's post 'preview' function not working?

Rob513264, Yes, and as well, restricting, undermining, or closing the services that did not bring in the big buck. Country services and low income services will see further cuts. Country services which at best are unreliable, disgraceful or even non-existent in some areas.
Telstra did have or professed a charter or guide as a public service; a public asset or treasure that was not for sale nor lend itself to jacking up and price gouging all the service charges to very high levels. Shown up making billions it would be easier to sell off. As well, 1000's of jobs were slated for axing, and in the place of many, a smaller workforce offered re-employment with less pay and minimum conditions.
Why couldn't the internet and phones have much cheaper services? After all, Telstra is a public service and no matter how they weasel and twist the politicians are paid to creatively defend and expand these services. Next, they will exclaim they do not have responsibilities. The politicians actively interve to degrade and debase society.

Australia must be the only developed nation still pursuing this gratuitous privatization agenda. Commonwealth net worth has plummeted since Howard came to office. Most of our formerly state-owned assets are now in foreign hands, worsening our current account deficit as overseas dividend payments swell with greater levels of foreign ownership. The sycophantic pissants in the National Party continue to back the Government's neo-liberal free-for-all agenda despite the fact the Nationals' constituents are suffering the most as the guts are ripped out of regional and rural communities in the name of efficiency.

Why not just sell the parliament building in Canberra to foreigners aswell and be done with it? After all, everything else has gone.