On Thu, 6 Nov 2014, Michael Scott <luv@inoz.net> wrote:
Interesting that YOUR opinion is that of "the majority", Russell. I think you'll probably find that about 50% of the population probably think that government debt is "large".
I don't claim that my opinion is that of the majority. I merely think that if you show a set of numbers to a random person they won't look at the second smallest number and call it large.
The left-wing echo chamber is strangely similar to the right-wing in what they repeat, Russell.
Not at all. People on the progressive side of politics often search for and cite references for their claims, as Lev is doing in this discussion. But if you don't have evidence then I guess you need an echo-chamber.
Now we're getting into right v. left politics? Interesting that the left want the centrelink economy supported while the right want the people who create the wealth (you know, the employers) to be encouraged to increase their wealth by employing people.
You could read any of the research about a Basic Income. Every time it's tested it gives economic benefits while every test of the "trickle down" theory shows that it doesn't work. When I ran an Internet Cafe some of my customers were on social security. Some of them legitimately had problems finding work and it was quite reasonable for dole payments to go towards Internet use (which even then was almost required to get a job). Some of the customers of my cafe seemed to have no interest in ever being employed, but it was still OK to give them dole payments - it kept them out of crime and the money they spent at my cafe (and other businesses in the area) allowed us to employ people. Michael and Slav, have you ever started a business of your own? It's easy to spout right-wing talking points when you are employed at a major bank that won't be allowed to fail even if it's badly run. It's a very different experience to start your own business and to work for other small businesses.
We can go on and on with the left-right argument, Russell.... I lean both ways depending on the policy.
Please give examples of when you lean to the left. You only get involved in political discussions here to defend the extreme right-wing. -- My Main Blog http://etbe.coker.com.au/ My Documents Blog http://doc.coker.com.au/