From to a “Fair Gone”Is the Age of Entitlement Really Over?
Joffre BalceDelivered at Humanist House,
Sydney21 May 2014
We have a problem & it’s THIS BIG!!!
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0fe00f6e-97b1-11e3-b104-00144feab7de.html#axzz31ySBiKa0
But We Got a PLAN!!!
Here’s the Plan!
I honestly cannot I honestly cannot understand understand
when & why they when & why they cut & splurgecut & splurge
http://www.afr.com/p/national/hockey_to_raise_debt_ceiling_aQmYFEr1XBGVjDX8lAVagN
To Make this
Budget Sustainabl
e
Look at the Look at the Biggest ItemBiggest Item
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/
BriefingBook44p/AustInPic
WHICH IS …The Commonwealth budget is
about A$375 billion a year. About 30% of that, or $111
billion, is spent via the welfare system – the single biggest
expenditure category
They want to call it “HARD LOVE”
You Gotta You Gotta Earn What Earn What You NeedYou Need
When the Ranks of the Welfare Class Is Growing …
Have you asked your experts?
If , Technically, the Problem Is …If , Technically, the Problem Is …
Matching Sources with Uses of Funds
Georgist SolutionsGeorgist Solutions
120 ++ Taxes AND even more Loopholes
• Land Values: A$6.0 trillion
• A$5.0 trillion (residential)
• A$0.7 trillion (commercial)
• A$0.3 trillion (agricultural)
• GNP: A$ 1.6 trillion
• Income
• Consumption
Menu of Fiscal/Monetary Mix Policies & Budget Strategies
Georgist Wishful ThinkingGeorgist Wishful Thinking
Raise a Budget• Single Land Value Tax (LVT)*:
6.6-7% annualized flat rate
• Asian Dragon Mix:15% flat income tax rate +2.7% LVT*
• Monetary + Tax Hybrid:Infrastructure & civil works via money creation +Lower LVT* (6% as a single tax or 1.9% mixed) +/-15% income tax rates
Budgeting a Common Wealth
• Human Right Priority: A Universal Citizen’s Dividend/ Basic Income to assure everyone of the right to a dignified human existence
• Zero unemployment/Competitive workforce: people will work at where they have a mastery at, a sense of contribution & self-direction/ determination
• Minimalist government: As little government as possible when people do things themselves but as much as necessary to fulfill its basic function
* lower, if commercial real estate were honestly valued
Henry George Agenda
• The great work of the present for every man, and every organization of men, who would improve social conditions, is the work of education — the propagation of ideas. It is only as it aids this that anything else can avail. And in this work every one who can think may aid — first by forming clear ideas himself, and then by endeavoring to arouse the thought of those with whom he comes in contact. (Progress and Poverty)
What happens when we lose a “common
enemy” as we treat our causes in isolation?
Aussies as a people have no common strategic vision of Australia like the
corporatocracy does.
The Agenda Is Discernible when you
question the inconsistencies!
• Calling a crisis a situation for which the rest of the OECD/First World envies Australia for
• Forcing people to work when there isn’t enough jobs created
• Cost Cutting Yet Spending … for what, why & for whom?
Leaners vs. Lifters?Leaners vs. Lifters?
Their Votes Are Counting Less Their Contributions Are Rising
1.68% 1.75% 2.15% 2.91% 3.58% 3.97%
Share of GNP
And It Will Help to Demonise the Poor
It is easier to blame welfare to the bottom 22% than the tax breaks & subsidies to the top 2% when government shifts
the burden of taxes to the middle 76%
$20 B Medical Research Fund$20 B Medical Research Fund
Will the Government Raise It “with” & for Them?
Where Is the Logic of Privatising TAFE
TAFE StudentTaxes
Subsidises
Pays Low
Faculty
Pays Decently
Where Is the Logic of Privatising TAFE
Private StudentTaxes
Lends
Pays High
Faculty
Pays “Competitively”
While the world goes this strategic direction …
The Australian government goes the opposite way
http://theconversation.com/billions-axed-in-clean-energy-renewable-target-is-next-26578
Applying “User Applying “User Pays” Dogma: Pays” Dogma:
“Mining Does Not “Mining Does Not Use Roads”Use Roads”
This Government
plans to spend more to keep it
this way …
Not Aid!Not Aid!
But Trade!But Trade!
Learn Or Earn (Before Learn Or Earn (Before Privatisation)Privatisation)
Government
TAFE Students
Faculty
Pay Decently
Pay Low
Subsidise
Learn Or Earn But Pay the Learn Or Earn But Pay the “Market” Price“Market” Price
Government
TAFE Students
Faculty
Pay Decently
Competitively
Pay Low
Competitively
Private Providers
Lend Lend but but
Repaid Repaid SoonSoon
Subsidise
Weightlifters or Weightgainers?Weightlifters or Weightgainers?
1.68% 1.75% 2.15% 2.91% 3.58% 3.97%
Lifters or Weight Gainers?Lifters or Weight Gainers?
Wages’ Share of Total Factor Incomes
Profits’ Share of Total Factor Incomes
If we are nation of
“lifters” …
Is profitability what raises the nation?
The most profitable
are not the largest job generators.
So why are they So why are they
most most “protected?”“protected?”
A Closer Look at a “Lifter”
http://www.yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node?page=15
How Real Estate Is Held
4 Ransom: Fuel Asset
Acquisition, Not
ProductionLook at what
“negative gearing” does
for the budget!!!
Kusher, Cameron. “Negative Gearing and Its Impact on the Housing Market.” 13 December 2012 in Economics, Housing Affordability, National Markets, Rents, Research. http://blog.rpdata.com/2012/12/negative-gearing-and-its-impact-on-the-housing-market/
Commercial Banking Has Never
Had It So Good!
Despite the falling rates of
the RBA
Corporations will “share the burden” when & if they “lose” their tax breaks …
And their corporate tax rates are cut like in the
rest of the world.
Walsh, Katie and Greber, Jacob with Smith, Michael.”Company Tax Cuts Dead on Arrival.” Financial Review. 14 August 2012. http://www.afr.com/p/national/company_tax_cuts_dead_on_arrival_6ITy18jzR7ZN5a0Z4htnqM
“… higher wages, lower government deficits, and weaker foreign
trade could conspire to put stress on corporate
profits in 2014.”Which is why they want government to (1) tax wages/fixed incomes, not
profits;reduce welfare & aid
(2) preserve corporate welfare &/or cut corporate tax rates
(3) pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership to bolster corporate interests
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/corporate-profit-margins-2014-2013-12
(4) By the way, they also want to privatize
profitable government corporations
The Real Strategic The Real Strategic Agenda Is This!Agenda Is This!
Weapons of Mass Distraction: Weapons of Mass Distraction: IdeologyIdeology
• Trickle Down
• Users Pay
• Corporations Do It Better
• Lazy Bums/Dole Bludgers!
• Victims/Bleeding Hearts
• Left/Right Political Thinking
If a Leader Has Big Ears, He If a Leader Has Big Ears, He Should Listen …Should Listen …
Brennan, Frank. “Advancing Human Rights in Australia.” 16 October 2012. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=33687#.U3dICih2p-s
Well Being
Security of DignityDignity of OthersEnvironment
Access & Movement
Social Justice
FIGHT THE STEREOTYPES!FIGHT THE STEREOTYPES!
Calling the Rich Sinister & Corrupt Is as Bad as Calling the Poor Lazy & Dishonest
And Take the Beam Out of Our And Take the Beam Out of Our Own EyesOwn Eyes
The Biggest Welfare Bludgers & the Corrupt Have No Class
Money Politics is Corruption: The abuse of authority to defend vested interests
contrary to the common good
Survey: 96% of Americans believe it's important
to reduce the role of money in politics, but 91% feel it would never happen …
Is this true in Australia?
“Larry Lessig completes 185-mile walk across New Hampshire, spreading the word that the U.S. electoral system can be fixed.” TedBlog. Posted by Kate Torgovnik May on 24 January 2014. http://blog.ted.com/2014/01/24/larry-lessig-completes-185-mile-walk-across-new-hampshire/
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/media-unions-political-parties-corrupt-20121105-28u3w.html
Speaking as a Student of Speaking as a Student of GeorgismGeorgism
• As robbers unite to plunder and divide the spoils, the trunk lines of railroads unite to raise rates and pool their earnings. The public is then forced to pay the cost of the whole maneuver, as the vanquished are forced to pay the cost of their own enslavement by a conquering army. (Progress and Poverty)
• I care nothing for creeds. I am not concerned with any one's religious belief. But I would have men think for themselves. If we do not, we can only abandon one superstition to take up another, and it may be a worse one. It is as bad for a man to think that he can know nothing as to think he knows all. (A Perplexed Philosopher)
Coming from the Third World where I witnessed the policy direction first hand, I’ve seen the future
& it sucks!
The Rest Is Really Up to Us …The Rest Is Really Up to Us …