Hey, it's Friday!
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but on Friday I lose it a bit… but not in a bad way.
I use the day to write, rant and rave about stuff… not the normal stuff, stuff that matters to me as a freedom fighter and a wealth seeker… Stuff that doesn’t often get spoken or written about… stuff that needs to change… stuff that need to be discussed and stuff that pisses me off.
I never know which direction I will go… so be warned in advance… I take no prisoners.
So lets begin.
The biggest threat to the Australian economy is the ‘enemy within the gates.’ Ex—politicians (on a government pension mind you!) are selling influence and helping companies suck the life out of the country.
People often ask me what I think the biggest threat to the economy is.
‘Is it a slow-down in China?’
No.
‘Is it the end of Quantitative Easing?’
No.
‘The end of the mining boom?’
Nope.
‘Then what?’
Zombies.
The biggest danger facing the global economy is zombies. The only thing that could truly wreck the capitalist miracle and plunge us back into some sort of Dark Age is a zombie attack.
Now I’m not talking about the kind of living dead you see on movies. That’s not much to worry about. If you have a shot-gun, a pitchfork and a pretty girl to help you, you’re fine.
What I’m talking about is the brain, soul and resource sucking parasites that are latching themselves on to governments around the world.
And I’ve got news for you. The zombies are taking over Canberra.
In the modern economy there are two legal ways to make money. The first is to produce something that people want and sell it to them, or invest capital in successful projects. This is great. Fabulous. It increases the wealth of everybody and makes everybody better off.
But the other way is to latch yourself on to the government. Get the government to rig the game in your favour – create barriers to entry and limit competition, get on a teet of cheap credit, or leverage off your contacts to secure government contracts and other privileges.
This doesn’t add any value to the world. Nothing’s created, nothing’s made. It just redistributes money from those who do the work, to those who are happy to be zombies.
I think we’ve always had zombies. As long as there’s been government, there have been zombies. But it seems like it’s getting worse.
And like always, the US seems to be leading the race to the bottom. Counties in and around Washington have become among the richest counties in the country. They’re teeming lawyers, lobbyists, contractors and other zombies who make they’re money by influencing politicians.
In fact, between 2000 and 2012, incomes in suburbs around the capital rose astonishing 23.3%, according to the US Census Bureau. That was at a time when national incomes FELL 6.6%!
Nice work if you can get it!
And the highest earners tend to be ex-Congressmen or ex-political staffers who have switched into lobbying and started milking their connections.
But this isn’t some ‘only in America’ type thing.
Last week, the Sydney Morning Herald was running a piece on the jobs boom the Abbott government’s created… in lobbyists!
According to the SMH,
The torrent of activity in the increasingly partisan lobbying industry has sparked a mini jobs boom for former Howard government ministers, retired Coalition MPs and Liberal operatives.
Nick Minchin, the Howard-era finance minister, has joined Alexander Downer at Bespoke Approach whose client list includes Wesfarmers, coal seam gas miner Santos and Chinese-owned coal miner Yancoal.
Former treasurer Peter Costello co-owns Melbourne-based ECG Advisory Solutions with his one time political adviser David Gazard. ECG has Westpac, Transurban and detention centre operators Serco on its books.
Big business knows how important (and profitable!) it is to have the ear of the government, and they’re willing to pay big bucks for it.
But this isn’t a new Coalition ‘open legs for business’ thing. Back in the Labor years, the dominant lobbying firm was the Labor-aligned ‘Hawker Britton’.
But with a change of government, 80% of their clients have jumped ship to the conservative ‘Barton Deakin’ firm.
Hey. Whatever it takes…
But get this. Both Hawker Britton and Barton Deakin are owned by the same company! STW Group!
So no matter who’s in government, these zombies are making a motza selling political influence!
But the more of the economy that’s tied up in a zombie apocalypse, the worse off we are. They’re sucking the life out of the economy, redirecting resources away from useful, productivity activity, and helping companies game the system in their own interest.
And before anyone peddles that garbage that they’re just helping the government make better policy, think about it for a second. Why would they spend that much money on it if there wasn’t the prospect of making a serious return on that investment?
It’d be fiduciary misconduct to waste all that share-holder money on ‘ideals’.
It’s like donations to political parties. They’ll tell us (and with a straight face!) that they’re just helping the democratic process.
Rubbish. If they were interested in democratic process, why are they giving different amounts to different parties?
And I’ve never heard of anyone giving money to the AEC to help them buy nicer ballot boxes!
Give me a break. Businesses spend a lot of money buying political influence because it works. You get in the pocket of the politicians and they rig the game in your favour.
You make a truckload of cash and the needs of the Australian people can go to hell.
And what worries me is that it’s just getting worse, and that the world is following America’s lead into economic abyss of crony capitalism.
And the mining industry’s take down of the MRRT (and the Gillard government at the same time, just to let us know who’s boss), and Clive Palmer’s purchase of a bunch of parliamentary seats shows us just how much sway big-money now has in Australia.
And before you accuse me of ‘class warfare’ let me state, in case there was any doubt, that I’m all about people making money. Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Warren Buffett… these guys are heroes of mine.
They took risks, backed products and services that people wanted and that made people’s lives better, and made a lot of money in the process.
All power to them.
But these zombies, who are sucking the life out of Australian economy and making a mockery of the political process, I’ve got no time for them.
Babe, get my shotgun and a pitchfork.
Great Post. Capitalism is about the free market providing a mechanism for exchange, it’s not about centralised agencies mandating price levels and manipulating regulatory environments. Goods and services in exchange for goods and services with no external interference.
Have you read any of the work of Fred Hayek? Genious, and right in line with what you are talking about here.
I have spears, a bow and arrow and an angry rooster… Lol! I wonder how these dregs of society can get away with it. Isn’t it some form of conflict of interest on their part? Thank you for an honest view of this situation. Many people think it but not enough people care; say anything; are to scared to speak out or are to distracted by the fake glitz and glamour of life to act on their deep views (or even form some to begin with).
So which Tool song will the anti zombie folk march to, ‘Stinkfist’ or ‘Aenema’. or both….
Never a truer word written, should be front page on every paper. Keep up these super posts.
Thanks for the post John. My belief is that these zombies have value systems that are based on greed and not for the greater good of all. That being said, history has shown that those whose values are based on greed come to no good…..they get their come-uppins, look at Napoleon. The guestion is though, how many do they take down with them at their Waterloo?. My other question is; What can we do when those who should have the best interests of the country ie the pollies are actually in bed with those who would be prepared to rape our economy for their own self interests? There must be a way….or do the silent majority even give a damn? Not tonight Josephine.
How do we as ‘little ones’ get it onto the front pages. What happens if we do?
More polly speak to refute it.
So how can us peasants overthrow these zombies other than a pitchfork, etc
I’m so jaded by anything the govt does or is associated with that tuning out is my answer, though it doesn’t help either way – tuning in or tuning out.
And the saying – if you ignore something long enough it goes away? Mmmm
How do you boycott all interest toward govt and ex govt that has power in the gesture and will make meaningful impact? National rallies chanting remove all scum!
Let’s do it Australia
Totally agree!
Bravo, Jon !
Outstanding reveal on the Oz political chicanery scene. As a prescient friend said to me, way back in the previous millennium – “Thank G-d we’re a couple of years back from the Yanks position !
John looks like it’s time you joined the dark side and infiltrate them from the inside. Time for you to stand up and become a polie. Ever given it any thought? You’d get my vote!!
The big fish eat the little fish. The secret is to survive long enough to become a big fish
Jon, you have really outdone yourself this time! Have to admit in the past there have been quite a few times that I have simply dismissed your ravings as just that, ravings! But today you have really hit pay dirt for me….and looking at the immediate and supportive responses you are getting it would seem others agree. You are clearly a great communicator as the article is beautifully crafted to my mind. Seriously, this is an important issue and can only recommend that you find a way to submit it to a wider audience ASAP, maybe through AAPT or any other media contacts you have cultivated over the years. The article is also a lot more appealing because it refrains from being strictly party political…….you just kick them all.
Congratulations and hope you take up the suggestion to try and reach a wider audience.
Garry-Melbourne
“Come the revolution first we kill all the ‘lawyers, lobbyists, contractors and other zombies who make they’re (sic) money by influencing politicians’ “
“But get this. Both Hawker Britton and Barton Deakin are owned by the same company! STW Group!”
What a situation – much like if Coles and Woolworths were both owned by Westfarmers. .
Probably time for all “True Blue” Aussies to make a stand while there is still a glimmer of hope for Australia and all of us Aussies!
For starters: I suggest that we look at all the unreasonable laws being passed by our Gov that rip us all off big time, eg: The totally grotesque traffic fines that line gov coffers each and every day, with part of the money collected being used to police us all the more, thus forcing us into compliance with unjust laws…
Just don’t pay full stop! What can they do if EVERYONE just said: “enough’s enough” and refused to be bullied into paying? They would become powerless ’cause they couldn’t round us all up… Don’t let the zombies in society act for us all!
Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin led a small rabble group of American Patriots to victory against a formidable foe… Unfortunately today the very freedom they fought for has been and is being systematically eroded with the cancer spreading to the likes of us too… And we don’t even have a Bill Of Rights built into our monarchist Constitution.. However, neither did those American rebels!
Totally agree with you Dian. Im all for not paying ridiculous fines. Not Happy about Gas Going up from 60 to 90 cents a litre in one month. Who is getting all that profit?
Hi John .
Thanks for having the guts to say what you really think about our politicians, you are so damm right they are not there for you and I or the voters of this country they are there for big business,and as you said by the amount of donations they want something for it.This is not just happening here it is happening all over the world.It is very strange you know we have just had a change of govt, and guess what there advisers have recommended selling Australia Post and Medibank Private,there is not much else to sell, they have sold every thing else. Why on earth did the govt sell the Commonwealth Bank, and Peter Costello sold most of our gold and when there is a world currency Reset, and they the IMF will be deciding on going back to the gold standard to stop governments printing money and just continue reckless deficit spending.Maybe then the world will be a better place to live in.
I once saw a cartoon about recruiting and being careful about stereotypes. The cartoon was of conservative looking men, same age, tie, jacket recruiting, agreeing that the same looking type guy would fit the organisation. Our governments seem to be doing the same, employing people who look and talk the same, giving the advice they want to hear. (And paying more than handsomely for It) What concerns me more is that if they employ someone different they are torn apart. Remember past pollies who are no longer here because the are compassionate, not lawyers , plain speaking? It seems we are going for clones and zombies, but there is not much choice!!!
I agree and its sickening. The best we can do is make a positive income so we can help ourselves and then help others in need.
Do not panic!
It always been like this. The question is how can we stop greedy bastards?
I know two way only – passive and active. Passive is to write comments, articles in newspaper and angry talk in a smoking room at our work place.
Active – is to spend your own time in preparation posters, meetings and demonstrations with clear requests from the public. This is the one of our rights – freely express our opinions.
Let have a one Saturday meeting, exchange information and plan activities.
Wake up Australia. There is a massive scheme being played out around the world.This has been going on for decades, particularly in the US. It is called “social engineering”. Nothing happens by accident.
Each and every machination and nuance is planned. Please do some research on the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations by John Coleman.
If that doesn’t scare the crap out of you, nothing will.
We the peasants should be REVOLTING, as every year more and more of these second rate elitist twerps and wannabes are sucking off the government teat, we need a whole lot less of them and they need to be turned over on a regular basis so they can’t become ensconsed in their little cliques protecting their cloiseterd rort at our expense.
Both sides are guilty of it but the libs are the pits especially super twerps like Downer.
It’s probably our fault at the grass roots level we should be making sure they are regularly turned over and turned out because they are absolute leaches, that we end up paying for their super privileged perks.
Put them in the Stocks I say, now where’s me eggs and tomatoes, go get ém Jon.
This is spot on Jon. A fully grown bull is huge powerful animal that can be taken down by a tick. There are far to many blood sucking ticks latched onto our government, the same government we have had for thirty plus years, sucking the life blood out of our great country.
To all who have said how do we stop it, it’s called a ‘vote’ and it will be stopped when enough people stop putting 1 in the box for ‘ALP’ or ‘LNP'(same dog).
Just a thought.
If you want change you have to be it.
Australian’s let us all rejoice for what we have no choice
with golden soil and wealth for toil
it is sad to see our government and their department’s are not so loyal
with snares and traps
there is a catch with loose loops that that they breed
our land abound by greed
our children are in need
our land abound in natures gifts
take all the trees to make all your shifts
but beauty is rich and unfair
in history’s page there is an outrage
advanced Australia is no were
in history’s page there is an outrage
advanced Australian’s do you care???????
THE PEOPLE’S POET FOR JUSTICE 1996
HONESTY is such a lonely word
why are our government’s so untrue
HONESTY is hardly ever heard
mostly what we need from you
we can pick a government
we can pick an MP
but it does not mean that their promise is how it is going to be
any one can comfort us with promises
why do we pick government’s and department’s that mislead
when all we want is some one to believe!
We all have a heart, we all have a brain
so many people going through terrible pain
should not matter if we are black or white
we are all humans
and should all have rights
we are no longer treated like human beings
we are just money making machines
poetry written by the peoples poet for justice 1996