Second stimulus package discussion

[Julia]

Today is supposedly D-day for the so called stimulus package. The Senators who hold the balance of power after much posturing will fold rather than risk the wrath of the recipients of the handouts. Fielding will the assured that the unemployed he is concerned about will get their share closer to the election along with the pensioners, and the Greens will be happy with a few soothing words.

Only Nick Xenophon is on firm ground. He has a true concern for the rights of the SA people who put him there and believe me, the future of the Murray-Darling basin is a huge concern for the people of that state. If he can keep the blowtorch on Rudd on this one the whole country will be better off.

Agree about Nick Xenophon. Fielding was sounding pretty determined to get his way yesterday but he has folded before so you may be right.

 

[Prospector]

I heard on the radio today that maybe K Rudd has stopped negotiating with Xenophon because just maybe, with ratings at an all time high, he might just go with a double dissolution?

And yes, while some despise Nick he is a man on a mission. To save the River Murray which people like WRong, seem to have completely forgotten. If I see her just one more time blaming Climate change for the water crisis I might just shoot the TV!

Fielding? He is a joke. What a twit!

 

[MrBurns]

I heard on the radio today that maybe K Rudd has stopped negotiating with Xenophon because just maybe, with ratings at an all time high, he might just go with a double dissolution?

Geez I hope so, awww you're just teasing ?

 

[Beej]

Geez I hope so, awww you're just teasing ?

Be careful what you wish for Mr Burns - regardless of ones own personal political leaning, if we had a double dissolution election right now I reckon the government would be returned with an equal or even greater majority AND they would almost certainly gain control of the senate (as a double dissolution election means a FULL instead of only the usual half senate election).

Cheers,

Beej

 

[moXJO]

Be careful what you wish for Mr Burns - regardless of ones own personal political leaning, if we had a double dissolution election right now I reckon the government would be returned with an equal or even greater majority AND they would almost certainly gain control of the senate (as a double dissolution election means a FULL instead of only the usual half senate election).

Cheers,

Beej

I'm not so sure about that

 

[MrBurns]

I'm not so sure about that

Yep now that we're in the poo voters might prefer the Libs, but then again while Rudd is sqandering cash, as Labor does, he might get back.

 

[Beej]

I'm not so sure about that

Yep now that we're in the poo voters might prefer the Libs, but then again while Rudd is sqandering cash, as Labor does, he might get back.

I am pretty sure - just look at the polls - government is WAY ahead. The punters are all happy - fuel heaps cheaper, interest rates mega low, and not many have yet had to deal with unexpected unemployment. The reasons they turfed Howard out are still fresh in their minds. In addition to this they feel that they are being looked after - cash bonus here, cash bonus there.....The mood here at ASF is not a good sample of the mood out in the electorates (read marginal seats) where our elections are primarily won and lost.

The downturn is not yet bad enough to effect the governments chances of re-election. They (and their advisers) know this - so do the Libs. If you think about this a little bit it explains all the current political posturing from both sides right now. It is also why the senate independents will cave in, as they stand a very real risk of being turfed out after less than a year via a double dissolution election - instead of keeping their snouts in the trough for the full 6 years they are expecting....

Beej

 

[Julia]

I am pretty sure - just look at the polls - government is WAY ahead. The punters are all happy - fuel heaps cheaper, interest rates mega low, and not many have yet had to deal with unexpected unemployment. The reasons they turfed Howard out are still fresh in their minds. In addition to this they feel that they are being looked after - cash bonus here, cash bonus there.....The mood here at ASF is not a good sample of the mood out in the electorates (read marginal seats) where our elections are primarily won and lost.

The downturn is not yet bad enough to effect the governments chances of re-election. They (and their advisers) know this - so do the Libs. If you think about this a little bit it explains all the current political posturing from both sides right now. It is also why the senate independents will cave in, as they stand a very real risk of being turfed out after less than a year via a double dissolution election - instead of keeping their snouts in the trough for the full 6 years they are expecting....

Beej

I agree entirely (sadly).
The average voter out there is pretty damn happy with Rudd & Co.

 

[MrBurns]

I agree entirely (sadly).
The average voter out there is pretty damn happy with Rudd & Co.

Ditto but it would be interesting non the less.

 

[pacestick]

The greens have done a deal reducing payments by $50.00 and using the resultant money to create jobs

 

[Calliope]

The greens have done a deal reducing payments by $50.00 and using the resultant money to create jobs

$40 million to build bike paths and create 700 jobs, and they call that building infrastructure. Wasn't the first stimulus package supposed to create jobs? Is anyone keeping the score on jobs created?

 

[Prospector]

Rudd would win an election hands down. Jobs? What was that about job creation? I thought it was all about plasmas.

 

[prawn_86]

Vote failed, with Xenephon opposing it:

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,25043894-462,00.html

Gunna try again for another vote next week i guess

 

[Prospector]

Vote failed, with Xenephon opposing it:

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,25043894-462,00.html

Gunna try again for another vote next week i guess

Wow! He really did it! For once I didnt waste a vote!

 

[Beej]

Wow! He really did it! For once I didnt waste a vote!

Let's see if he is prepared to risk all and do it twice.....

Beej

 

[prawn_86]

Let's see if he is prepared to risk all and do it twice.....

Beej

This is where i dnt understand politics and all the stupid posturing that goes along with it? How is he, or anyone, risking things (and what is he risking?) by voting no to something he doesnt like/agree with?

 

[Calliope]

In a double dissolution Rudd would win in a canter. In the old days of American Tammany Hall politics the politicians would hand out wads of money to bribe the voters on election day.

Now they start earlier. And don't forget the pensioners and carers will get another boost before the election in case they get jumpy.

 

[tcoates]

It raises the prospect of a double dissolution BUT (read the following blog article first)...

http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2009/02/an-early-federa.html

... somewhat unlikely?!?

Tim

 

[Prospector]

This is where i dnt understand politics and all the stupid posturing that goes along with it? How is he, or anyone, risking things (and what is he risking?) by voting no to something he doesnt like/agree with?

He is also in the Senate, that guarantees him a very long sentence, er, term!

 

[juw177]

I am glad it didn't pass, but from what I read, it was all because of the politics rather than the economy. I am now convinced that neither side has any idea what is going on.