Union Mythology and Misconception in Australia

I was appalled recently to see unionist thuggery employed to enforce a picket line in the Baiada Poultry dispute. The picket line was ruled illegal by Order of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Even more disturbing was the shameful stance adopted by the Victoria Police and their Command, in deciding not to enforce the law and stand idly by. Whatever happened to that long established principle of equal treatment before the law for all citizens?

Why is it, that the public understands the term “monopoly” and recognises its negative consequences when applied to businessmen, and yet a union monopoly on the supply of labour is not treated so, but regarded as acceptable.  Unions are just as much a protection racket as businessmen who collude to fleece the public. In the case of the Unions, the unemployed are the victims.

I recently discovered this very enlightening article by Rafe Champion at Quadrant. It provides a historical perspective and helps to explain why the union movement in Australia continues to enjoy protected status above the law that applies to the rest of society.

Mark Steyne on Freedom of Speech

I was recently pleased to attend an IPA function in defence of Andrew Bolt and Freedom of Speech. One of the most entertaining speakers was Mark Styne. Even though Mark is well known overseas, his intellect and wit is seldom heard by Australia audiences. His cogent and well-grounded thoughts and ideas are anathema to the dominant illiberal left leaning media in this country. Here is some of his finest work. Federal Court judge Mordy Bromberg could learn something from this.


Mark Steyn on Free Speech at the IPA from Institute of Public Affairs on Vimeo.

Wise Men Go Unheard by The Masses

Here are a couple of quotes that explain a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world today.
This one seems especially pertinent to Greece today with possibly Italy to follow.

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years.”
Possibly, Alexander Tytler (circa late 1700′s)

This one speaks to me about Australia. I fear we are transitioning from complacency to apathy.

“Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage.” Henning Webb Prentis, Jr., President of the Armstrong Cork Company 1943

Thorium Reactors

Very Interesting! As they say, "If something is too good to be true then it usually is". So I searched high and low on the Internet to find the serious downside to this much touted energy source. I could not find any strong arguments against its development other than the usual anti-nuclear-warrior knee jerk concerns. It seems this truly might be an energy game changer if we (the west) could get our act together. China is leading the world in this research.

Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two

Amazing! An artist film maker that actually understands economics.  Did you miss the first one in the series?  See it here.

What Chance of Sucess in Afghanistan?

Professor Christopher Coyne of George Mason University gives an economist's perspective on post-conflict reconstruction and how to promote peace. This man really knows his subject. After watching this video I have had to re-assess my position on Australia's, and the US's involvement in Afghanistan. I am no longer convinced about our bi-partisan policy of "stay the course" war in Afghanistan. It is a long video (1hr:25min) but well worth it. The speaker puts forward some very powerful arguments rarely heard in this debate.

Andrew Bolt Destroys Tim Flannery

Or rather, Tim Flannery destroys the governments case for a carbon dioxide tax with his own words. This is hysterical, listen to the podcast here.