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AUSTRALIA

Economic correctness gone mad

  • 13 November 2019

 

It's time we called out Economic Correctness. It's gone too far. The minute you voice even the smallest doubt about the Current Way of Things (neoliberal capitalism) you get hammered. If, for example, you ask why large multinationals should profit from aged care, the guardians of Economic Correctness look at you funny. Either they don't quite get what you mean or they do get it and cast you as an enemy of democracy.

We don't talk about Economic Correctness. But seriously, it's gone mad. I mean, the Prime Minister wants to outlaw boycotts against the powers that run the Current Way of Things — the ones we are meant to be grateful to because they sometimes pay taxes into the public coffers. But in the Creation Myth of the Current Way they're not even really public coffers. Since they are supposedly filled by the current powers (may they be blessed!) they are decidedly private. And private is good, private is best. It means you get what you put in, that those who have a go get a go.

The Creation Myth teaches that they created the wealth and that we must thank them because they share a little of this through jobs and taxes. They let some of the wealth trickle down. But it is theirs to do with as they wish. They built this country, through hard work, risk, and a level of ingenuity that you and I can only dream of. Most of all, they make the economy strong. And we must all make sacrifices for the economy. If we don't it is our children who will suffer.

We also need to adapt to change by giving up some of our rights. How can the economy stay strong if we adhere to this nonsense of collectively bargaining for better wages and conditions? We are paid too much as it is. And all this penalty rates nonsense, and being treated to sweets like annual leave and sick leave, how is the economy going to stay competitive if we behave like naughty children?

As for unions they belong in the bin. Better for the economy if we each cut our own deals with our employers. They need the flexibility to be able to pay us when they need us and leave us waiting when they don't. Better for the economy, better for everyone (for the economy is everyone) if we are kept on our toes