These sorts of discussion often ignore economic facts.

The Commonwealth Government is sovereign in that it is the provider of all currency spendable within this country. As the economy expands, the necessary currency for the operation of the expanded economy can only be introduced by either the government itself buying things it needs on our behalf or by issuing the currency to other people who will spend what they are given.

Gradually all new funds created end up as savings and if the sovereign government runs a surplus the financial assets of the private sector will be reduced by exactly the amount of the surplus (as the private sector reduces its saving to pay tax) if the foreign (current) account is balanced. It is as simple as double entry accounting.

The government does not need to raise money through taxation before it spends it. While there are underutilise people and productive facilities available the government has an obligation to put those underutilised items to work to produce facilities and services our community needs.

Over the business cycle the deficit can grow at least as much, percentage wise, as the economy itself grows.

This is the 'Real' Penny Wong,

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3608049.htm

She could talk the leg off a cast-iron pot and probably has done so.

For all of her spin, and her spin never stops, Ms Wong is still a lightweight career politician with a law degree who has come straight from student politics, with a brief time as an industrial lawyer. She has no experience of life. She has never held a real job.

She and the now retired Natasha Stott-Despoja could be book-ends. They both ride the same bandwagon and bounce between the same narrow rails. They went to uni together. Both could talk underwater with a mouth full of marbles.

That is about it really. Imagine an eggshell. Yes Penny is that hollow and devoid of substance. Can talk though. Boy, can she talk. And talk, and talk and talk.... Get another iron pot someone!

onthebeach,

Yep...it's a "good thing" Penny doesn't have the same substance as the people who brought us this:

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/03/23/1226026/932862-abbott-new.jpg

I mean, check 'em out - the only substance and talent on show appears to be their ability to scrawl abuse on hastily constructed signs.

It's hard to go past the smug looks on the faces of Bronwyn and Sophie.

"The women of the right" - our alternative government, if you don't mind.

Great stuff!

Poirot,

No problems with that.

The OP was directed at Kevin Rudd's description of Ms Wong, which is where I directed my remarks.

If you want to broaden the net to include others in politics and in government generally who are 'informed by their feminism', and that is about all they bring to the table, fine I would agree with you.

True as well there are far too many career politicians about. Too many climbing into senior roles that their lives and experience haven't prepared them for and too many constantly reducing the debate to idiot level with mantras they have learend off by heart.

None of the parties are immune and it is not reassuring that some may at different times have fewer.

I think Penny Wong is a very brainy and intelligent lady that has been very very good for the Labour Party. She is very calm under pressure and shows her real talent in the Parliamentry floor when she speaks. She speaks just as good as Ms Gillard, and sounds very much calmer too, which is very appealing to most people listening to her. She has a very sharp mind too, and can easily outthink anyone in the Liberal party, particularily Abbott and his cronies (except Ms Julie Bishop who's very clever also) who always spoil for a fight without saying anything about there policies. Wait and see just how Ms Wong goes in the elections she'll be excellent just watch!

Rather than a Dr. No, Penny Wong [or is it Wrong] is more of a Dr. know nothing.

Has she ever got anything right?