Comments on: Sandpit squabbling while economy crashes http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2009/02/03/sandpit-squabbling-while-economy-crashes/ The world of politics, policy and public life Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:09:14 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Thomas Paine http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2009/02/03/sandpit-squabbling-while-economy-crashes/#comment-441 Thomas Paine Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:15:35 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=309#comment-441 It is a sad reality that for a government to put in policies it has to remain in power for long enough to make a difference. Inevitably it has to 'position' itself politically on most policy. No point in the Rudd government avoiding the political games and implementing policy to have it removed at the next election. Labor governments have to continually battle a pro liberal media in getting its message and facts/truth across, no wonder they develop political positions with which to combat the opposition and media so as to talk to the people. If it plays the game well enough it is able to implement more of its plans. If it has to do what it has to do anyway (such as a stimulus package) then there is no problem with the politics, especially if it is trying to win the support of the people to such important things. It is a sad reality that for a government to put in policies it has to remain in power for long enough to make a difference. Inevitably it has to ‘position’ itself politically on most policy. No point in the Rudd government avoiding the political games and implementing policy to have it removed at the next election.

Labor governments have to continually battle a pro liberal media in getting its message and facts/truth across, no wonder they develop political positions with which to combat the opposition and media so as to talk to the people.

If it plays the game well enough it is able to implement more of its plans. If it has to do what it has to do anyway (such as a stimulus package) then there is no problem with the politics, especially if it is trying to win the support of the people to such important things.

]]> By: Spam Box http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2009/02/03/sandpit-squabbling-while-economy-crashes/#comment-440 Spam Box Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:37:32 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=309#comment-440 Well it's true that Rudds essay was a bit of a wank, but you can't say that the Gov's not actively in the business of assisting the community. They seem to be doing both,(positioning/assisting) and going about in a way I think is quite effective on both fronts. I certainly applaud the measures taken so far in trying to minimise the impact of GFC and have no problem with Rudd also keeping a tight grip on power as long as it's not done in an evil way. Well it’s true that Rudds essay was a bit of a wank, but you can’t say that the Gov’s not actively in the business of assisting the community. They seem to be doing both,(positioning/assisting) and going about in a way I think is quite effective on both fronts. I certainly applaud the measures taken so far in trying to minimise the impact of GFC and have no problem with Rudd also keeping a tight grip on power as long as it’s not done in an evil way.

]]> By: gavan http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2009/02/03/sandpit-squabbling-while-economy-crashes/#comment-439 gavan Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:22:07 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=309#comment-439 "But all the nonsensical rhetoric does create a sinking feeling that both major parties are more focused on how to get the best political positioning out of the looming recession, rather than how best to assist the community." Not sure that follows or even makes sense. Are you saying that the govt is doing nothing to deal with the problem? Or are only doing things that will make the Oppn look bad? Or that the changes in fiscal and monetary policy are wrong or are only designed to win political points? Wouldn't minimising the effects the current economic problems be the best way to win political points? Are you saying they aren't trying to do that? In short, I don't understand what you mean in suggesting the govt (or oppn) aren't interested in assisting the community. “But all the nonsensical rhetoric does create a sinking feeling that both major parties are more focused on how to get the best political positioning out of the looming recession, rather than how best to assist the community.”

Not sure that follows or even makes sense. Are you saying that the govt is doing nothing to deal with the problem? Or are only doing things that will make the Oppn look bad? Or that the changes in fiscal and monetary policy are wrong or are only designed to win political points? Wouldn’t minimising the effects the current economic problems be the best way to win political points? Are you saying they aren’t trying to do that?

In short, I don’t understand what you mean in suggesting the govt (or oppn) aren’t interested in assisting the community.

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