Tag: 2022

Trump

Donald J. Trump, meanest of mean girls: He so doesn’t want to be our friend anymore | Salon.com

Former U.S. President Donald Trump gives the keynote address at the Faith & Freedom Coalition during their annual "Road To Majority Policy Conference" at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center June 17, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)

In case America forgets: Mary told you all the time who her uncle really was but you chose not to listen.

As we have learned from the committee hearings, Trump also understood that his Big Lie about election fraud presented him another opportunity for grift. He reportedly brought in some $250 million from his supporters for a nonexistent election defense fund (which was supposed to investigate nonexistent election fraud), emailing his small-dollar donors dozens of times a day.

Source: Donald J. Trump, meanest of mean girls: He so doesn’t want to be our friend anymore | Salon.com

LNP Economic Management

Lacking Energy? It’s Labor’s Fault Apparently… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Sometimes I wonder why something that I see as a simple idea isn’t being suggested by people in public office. You know, simple things like – given the shortage of workers in some industries – why don’t we double the amount that the unemployed could earn before they lose any of their benefits? It would…

 It’s starting to sound all socialist and full of red tape and we all know that privatisation is the way to go because, hey, hasn’t privatisation worked a treat with all the areas where governments have privatised.

I’m trying to think of a specific example here, but I guess my trouble must be that there are so many of them,

Ah, Qantas. Once it used to be government-owned but now that it’s in private hands, they find your lost luggage much more efficiently because they’ve had so much experience at it…

All right, the Commonwealth Bank… Um, public transport?

Anyway, we know that it much be better because why else would governments keep selling off public assets to their mates?

Source: Lacking Energy? It’s Labor’s Fault Apparently… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP Economic Management

Cost of living and superannuation gap leaves many migrants in Australia struggling to retire – ABC News

Suad Hirmiz's husband sist with his arm around her as they look at the camera smiling.

MORRISON & FRYDENBERG’S PROUD ECONOMIC MANAGEMEMT

At age 66, Suad Hirmiz found herself on the hunt for a new house to rent. 

With her only income being Centrelink disability payments and her husband’s age pension, she resorted to selling her gold jewellery and offered to pay four months’ rent up front.

“No real estate agents would accept our applications,” Ms Hirmiz told the ABC.

“So I sold my gold. I just went down to Sydney Road [in Melbourne] and sold it.”

The couple are on a housing commission waiting list, but in the meantime nearly half of their fortnightly government payments go towards rent.

With little or no superannuation, increasing costs of living and limited access to suitable care facilities, many Australians are struggling to retire.

Source: Cost of living and superannuation gap leaves many migrants in Australia struggling to retire – ABC News

Informed Comment

New Brooms, Old Stories: The Australian Labor Party and Julian Assange – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Opposition legal affairs spokesman George Brandis failed to identify any relevant law that might have been breached, either Australian or US. Liberty Victoria president Spencer Zifcak was “astonished” that a lawyer of presumed competence could have made such remarks. “There is no charge, there is no trial, there is no properly constituted court, and yet the Prime Minister deems it appropriate to say that Mr Assange has committed a criminal offence.”

Within less than a fortnight, the AFP, in concluding its investigation, informed Attorney-General Robert McClelland that “given the documents published to date are classified by the United States, the primary jurisdiction for any further investigation into the matter remains the United States.” After evaluating the material concerned, the federal police had failed to establish “the existence of any criminal offences where Australia would have jurisdiction.”

Source: New Brooms, Old Stories: The Australian Labor Party and Julian Assange – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

The economy is growing but workers are not getting the benefits – ABC News

A female mine worker walks past a mine dump truck at a coal mine in central Queensland.

This week’s National Accounts show the economy growing solidly. But the growth is mainly benefiting businesses, especially mining businesses, while workers’ wages fall further behind. The

Source: The economy is growing but workers are not getting the benefits – ABC News

Climate Science

Climate scientists warn of increased climate change events as carbon emissions fail to drop – ABC News

Source: Climate scientists warn of increased climate change events as carbon emissions fail to drop – ABC News

Rupert Murdoch

Albanese victory signals sunset on Murdoch era

Murdoch won’t change his whole global business model relies on competing for money due to the imbalance of the distribution of wealth in capitalist societies. They rely on supporting those governments that maintain the system of inequity. There might be some occasional criticism of personalities and strategies but when push comes to shove at election time the world knows who the Murdochs support. Their message is certainly not to inform the electorate or support any notion or ideal of a publicly owned media.

Founder and publisher David Donovan explores the significance of the new Labor Government for Rupert Murdoch’s stranglehold over Australia’s media.

Source: Albanese victory signals sunset on Murdoch era

Uncategorized

“Any Republicans wanna speak out now?”: Alarm after Trump shares “civil war” post | Salon.com

Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally on April 02, 2022 near Washington, Michigan. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“Nothing to see here,” Conway wrote. “Just a former president of the United States sharing a social media post advocating or predicting civil war in the United States. No biggie.”  ( George Conway)

Source: “Any Republicans wanna speak out now?”: Alarm after Trump shares “civil war” post | Salon.com

Election

This election – you do have a say – » The Australian Independent Media Network

1-11 boxes all to be numbered with your order of preference. Place your choice FIRST and the ASSHOLES  LAST. It’s your VOTE AUSTRALIA make it WORTHWHILE!!!!

Government is about making decisions that impact the lives of Australians in a fair, equitable, transparent and compassionate manner. If you are over 18, voting is compulsory in Australia. So when you go to cast your vote this week, consider this: No political party controls your ‘preferences’, you do. Follow the instructions on the ballot papers you are given and you will cast a valid vote. If a Coalition Government is so bad why has Morrison been part of one for almost a decade and do we really want to have three more years of a Government that is more concerned with staying in power than demonstrating accountability and transparency? Maybe that’s one reason why many Australians have lost faith in the political system. What do you think?

Source: This election – you do have a say – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Election

Election preferences: do you need to think strategically before voting in the lower house? | Australian election 2022 | The Guardian

Posters for the independent candidate in Kooyong, Monique Ryan

With prominent independents creating unusual contests in some seats, voters may be confused about how to allocate preferences. But there is a simple solution

Vote RYAN 1, and the  LNP 11,  UAP 10.  The rest is yours to choose. Vote LNP 6 above the Line in the Senate

Source: Election preferences: do you need to think strategically before voting in the lower house? | Australian election 2022 | The Guardian

ALP

Labor tells a story without pictures: now that’s confidence – Michael West

Around this time in the 2019 campaign, the confidence that was bubbling throughout the Labor camp burst out into full hubristic glory.

One leading daily posed the ALP team in chiaroscuro, looking one part Sopranos cast, one part corporate raiders. Bristling with purpose, they looked. The new crew. The mean machine. The none-too subtle message: Bill Shorten’s team is ready, ready to rule.

Meanwhile Chris Bowen’s Facebook page featured himself and four sober-suited colleagues in an impersonation of a high-end law firm: himself, deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, a chin-stroking Shorten, Jim Chalmers and Penny Wong.

When the serious quintet’s big play went unstuck, one user commented: ”All dressed up and nowhere to go.”

Contrast all that with Campaign ’22. Yes, Albo has modeled some groovy threads to go with his trimmer physique. But the group photoshoot has gone the way of Shorten’s jibes about the big end of town. No more moody magnificence.

Labor candidates emphasise how rare it is for their party to win from opposition. The years it has happened since the war are cited like bingo numbers: 72, 83, 07. It’s the talk of the poker player holding a straight flush.

Source: Labor tells a story without pictures: now that’s confidence – Michael West

Election

Election 2022: Labor integrity commission’s retrospective powers to stretch to 15 years

Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said there was no time limit on what Labor’s proposed integrity commission could investigate.

Labor expects its proposed national integrity commission will examine alleged misconduct from as far back as 15 years, with both former and current politicians eligible to be investigated under a broad definition of corruption.

Unlike the Coalition, Labor has promised to create an integrity body with retrospective powers, meaning it could examine decisions taken before the commission came into being.

Source: Election 2022: Labor integrity commission’s retrospective powers to stretch to 15 years

Election

Undecided voters award Albanese victory in third and final leaders’ debate

Undecided voters in marginal seats have named Anthony Albanese the clear winner of the third and final leaders’ debate which was a more sedate affair than the previous ‘shouty’ match.

The Final Showdown on Channel 7 on Wednesday night included a ‘pub test’ of 160 voters who scored Mr Albanese 50 per cent and Mr Morrison 34 per cent while 16 per cent remained undecided.

Meanwhile A YouGov poll of 19,000 voters commissioned by The Australian shows the Coalition heading for defeat, with Labor winning 80 seats and the Coalition reduced to 63. Seven seats would go to independents and one to the Greens.

Source: Undecided voters award Albanese victory in third and final leaders’ debate

Election

Frydenberg says Morrison government won’t state minimum wage figure By Angus Thompson

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and independent Kooyong candidate Monique Ryan handing out flyers at the Hawthorn pre-polling booth on Monday.

Frydenberg says Morrison government won’t state minimum wage figure

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has refused to say what his government believes the minimum wage should be, saying it “has not been our practice and that is not our policy”.

Frydenberg, who is in danger of losing his Melbourne seat of Kooyong next Saturday to “teal” independent Monique Ryan, told ABC radio this morning that the government’s strategy was to drive higher wages with a tighter labour market.

Source: Election 2022 LIVE updates: Anthony Albanese, Scott Morrison clash in final leaders’ debate; Australia minimum wage debate continues; Port of Darwin China sale worth $20m; Josh Frydenberg distances himself from Katherine Deves

Election

Women voters help Labor extend Newspoll lead to 54-46

Events have handed Scott Morrison a political gift.

Morrison is who he is, and he will be given the sack yet again. But remember, he believes he’s ” been chosen” so the unpredictable still lies ahead within the Liberal Rabble.

One thing is for certain the ALP will be handed a poison chalice, and a decade of mess to clean with the commercial media still barking and chasing the money it feeds off. They still be dancing to the tune of those who have the bulk of it. The ALP will only have a short time to prove themselves and must SAVE THE ABC, et up an integrity commission, and create secure jobs transitioning to clean energy. The must revitalize our global reputation not just their domestic one.

Labor has increased its lead over the Coalition in two new polls as early voting centres open across the country on Monday, two weeks before the federal election. The Australian‘s Newspoll released on Monday shows Labor rising one point to 54-46 per cent on a two-party preferred basis (compared to 53-47 per cent a week before). Support for Labor is at 39 per cent, with the Coalition slipping to 35 per cent.

Source: Women voters help Labor extend Newspoll lead to 54-46

Election

Cutting through the accusations and acrimony to get to the facts of the second leaders’ debate – ABC News

The exterior wall of Darwin Port with signage in red and white and a truck in the background.

The second leaders’ debate on the Nine Network last night was full of accusations and acrimony. Amidst the shouting and over-talking coming from both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, it was easy for the facts to get lost. You’re probably wondering how close some of the things that were said came to being correct. RMIT ABC Fact Check has you covered.

Source: Cutting through the accusations and acrimony to get to the facts of the second leaders’ debate – ABC News

Election

Scott Morrison confirms $500,000 payment was not for Alan Tudge’s abuse which means it had to be for the sexual assault complaint against Josh Frydenberg – Kangaroo Court of Australia

Scott  Corporal Schultz Morrison also said ” I don’t know anything about that”

Scott Morrison and Senator Anne Ruston, who is the Coalition campaign spokesperson, have both stated the $500,000 that will be paid to Rachelle Miller is a for a separate matter other than the ones that were the subject of the Thom Inquiry which means it has to be for the alleged sexual harassment / sexual assault by federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Source: Scott Morrison confirms $500,000 payment was not for Alan Tudge’s abuse which means it had to be for the sexual assault complaint against Josh Frydenberg – Kangaroo Court of Australia

Election

The Australian Federal Election Offers a Choice Between Disaster and Disappointment

Anthony Albanese has taken on the role of Biden in this Election 2022, allowing the Trumpish Rumplestiltskin  Morrison whose been electioneering for these last 3 years to reveal who he really is. Imagine if he was debating Tanya Plibersek or Penny Wong  the true Morrison would stand out in greater relief.

Scott Morrison is widely disliked, and his conservative government is divided, incompetent, and mired in corruption. Despite this, the Labor opposition’s platform is one of the most timid and conservative in memory.

Source: The Australian Federal Election Offers a Choice Between Disaster and Disappointment

Election

Only two weeks to go – » The Australian Independent Media Network

When did our Elections become so Presidential, so American. Who turned it into a leadership and media battle?

It is time to ask yourself who you want to wake up with, again. Three years ago, we faced this decision with the disastrous reigns of Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull still fresh in our memories. While our elections are about individual members in individual electorates, the system has gradually become more presidential. The result may be that people vote for the local candidate if they like the leader of his or her party.

As for Labor, there is a powerful team. The likes of Penny Wong, Jim Chalmers, Kristina Keneally, Tanya Plibersek, and the find of the election, Jason Clare are all showing what they can do. It appears impressive.

 

Source: Only two weeks to go – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

The Truth about America’s Second Civil War | The Smirking Chimp

Where will all this end? Not with two separate nations. What America is going through is less like a civil war and more like Brexit – a lumbering, mutual decision to go separate ways on most things but remain connected on a few big things (such as national defense, monetary policy, and civil and political rights). We’ll still be America. But we’re becoming two versions of America. The open question is analogous to the one faced by every couple that separates — how will we find ways to be civil toward each other?

Source: The Truth about America’s Second Civil War | The Smirking Chimp

Election

Where’s Tanya Plibersek? More like where’s Alan Tudge | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

Albanese then stepped in with a very pointed question of his own. “I’ve got my education spokesperson [Plibersek] here. Who is Scott Morrison’s education spokesman?” Advertisement Ad It is a good question no one can quite seem to answer.

Source: Where’s Tanya Plibersek? More like where’s Alan Tudge | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

Election

Election 2022: Higgins MP Katie Allen sends how-to-vote cards preferencing anti-vax, pro-Putin UAP candidate

Ingram SpencerKatie Allen in her Tesla, specially branded for the campaign.

Higgins MP and potential future frontbencher Katie Allen has been forced to execute a monumental backflip after issuing how-to-vote cards preferencing a United Australia Party candidate who has since gone bad. Very bad.

After last week’s ballot draw, Allen’s office reported UAP candidate Ingram Spencer to the federal police for allegedly acting aggressively towards people and “scaring everyone”. Days later, he was arrested for allegedly using a carriage service to harass someone and placed behind bars ahead of a first court hearing later this week.

So imagine the surprise among Higgins’ Liberal members and broader constituents when tens of thousands of them received Liberal how-to-vote cards instructing them to preference Spencer, a QAnon-following Vladimir Putin admirer, ahead of Labor and the Greens.

Source: Election 2022: Higgins MP Katie Allen sends how-to-vote cards preferencing anti-vax, pro-Putin UAP candidate

Election

The Dirty Election: how the cards are stacked in favour of Scott Morrison – Michael West

Albanese and Morrison

To get to the point, Labor may be streets ahead in the polls but Scott Morrison is now in his element. His government is a shambles but, with the three major media houses backing him, and the ABC and others truckling to their daily news agendas, Anthony Albanese will have to win this thing, not wait for Morrison to lose it. The propagandists of News Corp will run hard for Morrison. Already, according to their questionable Newspoll, the gap has narrowed sharply. Sure, they want a contest, it sells their propaganda sheets, but given all the subsidies and favours which Rupert Murdoch, Nine Entertainment and Seven have wrung out of the Coalition they will be surely be barracking for the Coalition and bagging Labor till the cows come home.

Source: The Dirty Election: how the cards are stacked in favour of Scott Morrison – Michael West

Election

More lying, rorting, taunting Coalition capers with Josh, Bridget and Sussan

Vote 1 Monique Ryan and Vote Frydenberg LAST! or Vote 1 ALPs Peter Lynch 2 Monique Ryan and Frydenberg LAST. In the Senate  VOTE 1 ALP and  LNP LAST

1. WOULD-BE PM JOSH FRYDENBERG First, the polls indicated the would-be PM will likely lose his seat — to an Independent, no less!

Source: More lying, rorting, taunting Coalition capers with Josh, Bridget and Sussan

Election

Election 2022: Coalition promises voters $833m a day as it outspends Labor during the campaign

In just four weeks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised more than $23.3 billion worth of projects, including funding for the Wanneroo BMX club.

Morrison’s Circus is banging the freebie drum and playing Grasshopper in an effort to attract a swarm of camp followers to help create an increasing plague. The ALP have in the meantime been planning and beavering away putting together a plan to save SS Australia from sinking from rising debt, inflation, insufficient wages, and robber barons. Oddly enough but unlike Trump and Morrison, they do want Australia to be Great Again.

The Coalition has promised $833 million a day to electorates around the country since the week of the March 29 federal budget as it goes on a spending spree to hold on to power at next month’s election. From large-scale dams that have yet to be judged against a business case, to BMX courses and footpaths in must-win seats, the Coalition has announced $23.3 billion in projects in the four weeks since the budget at an average of eight election sweeteners a day.

Source: Election 2022: Coalition promises voters $833m a day as it outspends Labor during the campaign

Informed Comment

Different year, same campaign – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Did you hear the LNP telling us that China was building a military base in Vanuatu? Or was that Norfolk Island?

Oh wait, that was 2018 when the headline read China eyes Vanuatu military base in plan with global ramifications.

Despite racking up huge debts and a structural deficit that will continue for years, the Coalition are still laying claim to being better economic managers, a claim that is debunked by Alan Austin in his article Worst debt blow-out in the developed world refutes Coalition claims of economic competence Having lost the battle to stop marriage equality, persecution of the rainbow community has moved to expelling gay students and stopping trans kids from playing sport. Different target, same bigotry. Oh, and death taxes….again. You have to wonder what the point is of this travelling circus since we’ve seen and heard it all before.

Source: Different year, same campaign – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Uncategorized

Election 2022: Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese make their pitch to Australia’s 4.6 million uncommitted voters

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have made their pitches to uncommitted voters.The Ant and the Grasshopper (+ Free Downloadable Ebook) | by Sir John Hargrave | Medium

Morrison and Aesop’s Fable

It’s a case of the tent preacher leading a ragged bunch of camp followers into town banging his drum promising “miracles” having left disaster behind in his wake. It’s the huckster promising the last 3 years didn’t happen and weren’t his fault that it was the opposition that made him do it. Yes, It’s Morrison the grasshopper leaving our cupboard bare and a bill to pay, and the ant wanting, he, and his team to rebuild it.  It’s the hare prancing about like the energizer bunny doing little or nothing while the tortoise has been purposefully moving forward knowing what the race really means It’s not about blind faith or optimism or blind trust but focused rational attention to work changing direction and everyone doing it together for their kids kids.

In a pair of opinion pieces commissioned by The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age four weeks out from polling day on May 21, both men have laid out their visions for Australia’s future – while emphasising the risks presented by their opponents.

Source: Election 2022: Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese make their pitch to Australia’s 4.6 million uncommitted voters

Australia's Shame

Morrison’s arrogance toward South Pacific fuels China tensions

The Coalition’s fumbling of foreign policy has resulted in a dangerous display of bravado as tensions escalate over the China/Solomon Islands security agreement, writes Bruce Haigh.

Source: Morrison’s arrogance toward South Pacific fuels China tensions

Budget

From Back in Black to a Trillion in Debt – » The Australian Independent Media Network

 

Last night we saw an out of touch and desperate Federal Government trying to buy your votes just before an election – an election which the polls suggest the Morrison Government will be heavily defeated in – by delivering a terrible budget which has no long-term plans for this country’s future. The only plan regarding this budget is an attempt to re-elect Mr Morrison as Prime Minister, a man whom in the words of Senator Fierravanti-Wells is an “autocrat and bully who has no moral compass” (Pauline Hanson is also alleging today she too has experienced Mr Morrison’s bullying). We deserve better than this, Australia.

Source: From Back in Black to a Trillion in Debt – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Donald Trump

Trump heads to Georgia in high-stakes bid to shape Republican primaries | Donald Trump | The Guardian

trump stands behind podium as hice speaks

Testing the Waters for himself not the state?

“He will not be a help to Trump-endorsed candidates when he comes on Saturday,” the conservative commentator Martha Zoller told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week. “He will be negative and backward looking – and that’s not what voters want.” Some Republican pollsters said that while Trump’s endorsement was coveted, he had diluted his influence by reaching far down the ballot or supporting late-entry candidates with little public recognition or campaign apparatus.

Source: Trump heads to Georgia in high-stakes bid to shape Republican primaries | Donald Trump | The Guardian

Germany

No to Blackmail: Germany to be free from Russian oil, coal by end of 2022, Gas by 2024 – Econ Minister

Less than a final solution given the Saudi- Qattar conflict. The final solution for Independence must be renewable energy and Germany is a tech leader.

Germany is making considerable progress in weaning itself off fossil fuel imports from Russia and could become virtually independent of the country’s coal and oil by the end of this year, said economy and climate minister Robert Habeck in Berlin. Natural gas supply poses the biggest challenge and it will likely take until mid-2024 for Germany to be able to forgo deliveries from Russia, said the minister. Significant expansion of renewables, reduction of consumption in all sectors, diversification and the ramp-up of hydrogen are needed for this.

Source: No to Blackmail: Germany to be free from Russian oil, coal by end of 2022, Gas by 2024 – Econ Minister

ALP

Anthony Albanese to embrace Labor luminary Bob Hawke’s consensus style if ALP wins election | Anthony Albanese | The Guardian

Labor leader Anthony Albanese

Here is what the L-NP haven’t been doing for over 9 years even among themselves. Theirs is CHAOS STYLE!!

Anthony Albanese will bemoan a lost decade of division and policy inertia under the Coalition, declaring he will take his lead from Bob Hawke, lifting productivity, boosting growth and using “cheap, renewable energy to transform our economy” if Labor wins the coming election.

Source: Anthony Albanese to embrace Labor luminary Bob Hawke’s consensus style if ALP wins election | Anthony Albanese | The Guardian

Asylum Seekers

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the West’s Double Standards on Refugees

John Howard Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison didn’t have any sympathy let alone empathy for refugees and all used and politicized their difference from us. Scott Morrison was always know to be enthusiastic about the tactic of using Middle Easterners as political tools after the Cronulla riots. He still does holding innocent people for over 9 years “using them” as a deterrant rather than accepting the tragedy of their circumstance.

There are no benefits or advantages in war — any war — because it is always the poor, the innocent and the weak who pay the biggest price. However, war gives us the opportunity to study history, current affairs and future possibilities. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has, in just a few days, taught us some important lessons about how the West really views Arabs, Muslims and other Middle Easterners, including Arab Christians. It should also have taught us that it is necessary to sympathise with the victims, regardless of their race, gender or religion, while not forgetting our own victims, whether the guardians of the “universal values” myth like it or not.

Source: The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the West’s Double Standards on Refugees

Election

Federal election 2022: Will wage growth play into the polls?

Scott Morrison campaigning in Tasmania this week. He attacked unions over the shutdown of Sydney’s network even as it was clear the state government had shut out its workforce.

This is what is meant by the expression ” Wagging the Dog”. A totally manufactured and produced hi-viz photo shot accompanied by a totally fabricated fact, a lie about the NSW train strike on TV and in the media. Solely designed to turn Morrison’s dwindling chances of an election win around. Morrison and his team must have watched the 1997 movie “Wag the Dog” starring Di Niro and Dustin Hoffman who showed them how to come back from the dead.  It was about a failing President’s (PM) election chances needing to be  turned around in 11 days by the application of Fake News. Morrison has been mirroring the same tactics to a tee. Should anyone of Morrison’s media production team reveal the truth they too might go the way of Dustin Hoffman in the end.

Scott Morrison campaigning in Tasmania this week. He attacked unions over the shutdown of Sydney’s network even as it was clear the state government had shut out its workforce.

Source: Federal election 2022: Will wage growth play into the polls?

Democracy 2.0, Democracy Now, Privatising Democracy

Restore trust by letting the voters see who is paying the piper, in real time – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Morrison’s Miracle Maker: Scotty’s God is back to tip Democracy on its head again and Scott is bringing politics to church. However not like the Latin American church once brought Religion to politics.

In 2019 a billionaire spent $83.6 million to influence a federal election. Why in 2022 is our democracy still for sale? States and territories have introduced caps on political donations and campaign expenditure to prevent such tilting of the electoral playing field. But Clive Palmer is doing it again and the federal government has done nothing to prevent it.

Source: Restore trust by letting the voters see who is paying the piper, in real time – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Polls

Newspoll has Labor’s biggest lead since Turnbull’s ousting as Coalition damaged by COVID

In the first Newspoll of 2022, Labor led by 56-44, a three-point gain since the previous Newspoll in early December. Primary votes were 41% Labor (up three), 34% Coalition (down two), 11% Greens (up one), 3% One Nation (steady) and 11% for all Others (down two). This is Labor’s biggest lead in Newspoll since the aftermath of the August 2018 ousting of Malcolm Turnbull in favour of Scott Morrison as prime minister. But the Coalition recovered to win the May 2019 election, with the final polls inaccurate. So the Coalition is not out of contention for the upcoming election yet. 39% were satisfied with Morrison’s performance (down five), and 58% were dissatisfied (up six), for a net approval of -19, down 11 points. Analyst Kevin Bonham said this was Morrison’s worst net approval since the 2019-20 bushfires (-22 then).

Source: Newspoll has Labor’s biggest lead since Turnbull’s ousting as Coalition damaged by COVID

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Looking back we thought Abbott was a turd. He was just a political punk.But Morrison has damaged Australia and dragged us to our lowest point in history.

Fighting Fake News with REAL; 27/1/22; Russia or China the West’s dilemma; This picture tells a story; 2022 Election and the Morrison do-nothing LNP;

Trump

Trump’s new legal troubles mount — even as Russia probe officially runs out of steam | Salon.com

Donald Trump; Robert Mueller (Getty/Chris Kleponis/Andrew Burton)

If last week was considered Joe Biden’s no-good, very bad week, there’s a case to be made that this week was Donald Trump’s no-good, even worse week.

Source: Trump’s new legal troubles mount — even as Russia probe officially runs out of steam | Salon.com

Informed Comment

Olde Pascoe’s Almanacke reveals pirate prefers plank to politics in 2022

2022 coming to get you

If you think you know the sound of horror, try the unmistakable thump of a bloody pirate demon’s wooden leg coming down the stairs accompanied by the scratch of a hook hand gouging the railing for balance. Yes, it really is worse than fingernails on a blackboard.

Source: Olde Pascoe’s Almanacke reveals pirate prefers plank to politics in 2022

Electricity

Good News in 2022: Top 5 Reasons to be Happy about Electric Vehicles in US in Coming Year

The Biden administration’s Infrastructure and Jobs Act, passed in October, and the new fuel standards set by the EPA will have a positive impact on electric vehicles in the United States in the coming year. Let’s review this good news.

Source: Good News in 2022: Top 5 Reasons to be Happy about Electric Vehicles in US in Coming Year

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Paul Bongiorno: PM’s only hope is budget numbers saving him

budget

The Scam and fix is in. The budget tanked like a bungee during the pandemic now it’s about to rebound as rapidly as one, but just like a bungee that recovery won’t be the same as it was pre-pandemic, and it wasn’t crash hot back then either as they’d destroyed our relationship with China and the EU.

Nevertheless, you won’t hear that from Morrison or Frydenberg who will tell you our recovery will have been the best in all possible worlds. As a consequence, we will be able to afford the best of all possible bribes, tax cuts. Never mind that the top 10% of the nation has already received their bonus expanding the wealth gap like never before seen (over 25%). Never mind, that in the past 30 years the LNP has been the highest taxing of all governments. Never mind, that the LNP has been the harshest on Social Welfare, Universal Health, Education, wage growth, and the casualization of the workforce. During their tenure have Dropped us down the ladder from best to worst in the OECD and increased the level of corruption. Never mind this government has been the most secretive and least supportive of communications making us 60th globally in broadband speed and the accelerated destruction of the ABC and restriction of Independent Media. Never mind that we have fallen on every comparable social metric and our global reputation has been shredded under this the worst PM and government this country has ever seen. We are nevertheless about to be given tax cuts of 1-2 %. WTF!!

The word out of the federal government is a desperate Scott Morrison will use improved numbers in the budget to attempt a huge tax cut to buy his way back into government.

Source: Paul Bongiorno: PM’s only hope is budget numbers saving him

Australian Politics

‘Attacking democracy’: Independent MPs hit back at Coalition

Image

 No complaints were heard when Clive Palmer spent $$$

Escalating Coalition criticism of the ‘Voices Of’ independent movement is “attacking democracy”, one of the drive’s key supporters has claimed, as yet more senior ministers complain about its growing traction.

Despite the Coalition claiming the movement is a “front” for Labor or the Greens, most of the independent candidates say they’ve never been a member of any political party, and some have links to the Liberals. Ms Daniel, a former ABC journalist and former TND columnist, said she had voted for her opponent, Mr Wilson, in 2016. Allegra Spender, taking on Dave Sharma in Wentworth, is the daughter of former Liberal MP John Spender. Mr Holmes a Court said he was unsurprised the Voices campaigns largely came from Coalition seats. “They’re growing out of frustration at the representation they’re getting. I’m not surprised people in non-government seats aren’t energised enough to start a campaign,” he said. “This is a movement from the centre. It’s spot fires of people who are pi–ed off. If Labor was in power, I’m sure this movement would be targeting Labor seats. They’re pushing against people they think are doing a bad job. “[Mr Morrison] should be asking, ‘Why did these groups start up and why are people disaffected in heartland Liberal seats?’” Mr Holmes a Court said Climate 200 would look to support between 12 and 20 independent candidates, and hoped three to five would win

Source: ‘Attacking democracy’: Independent MPs hit back at Coalition

Election

Michael Pascoe: Beware the promises in next election budget

Given current polling and the vaccination schmozzle, the odds are favouring the government hanging on to the benefits of incumbency as long as possible, hoping the vaccine bungles will fade, the shots work, peace breaks out over our internal borders, and the promises of opening up start to look more credible. That would mean a repeat of the 2019 timetable – an April budget ahead of a May election. Given the government’s denial, dissembling and deflection over blatant and systemic corruption last time, fasten your seat belts for even more rorting of the public purse for political purposes.

Source: Michael Pascoe: Beware the promises in next election budget

Scott Morrison

COVID Australia: Morrison government buys Pfizer boosters, ATAGI says just get jabbed

People wait for their allocated time slot earlier this month at the NSW vaccination hub in Homebush.

Sixty million of the Pfizer doses will be delivered in 2022 and another 25 million in 2023, in addition to the 40 million already due to arrive in Australia this year.

Source: COVID Australia: Morrison government buys Pfizer boosters, ATAGI says just get jabbed

GOP

How Far Will the GOP Go To Steal the 2022 Election? | The Smirking Chimp

Legal or not, moral or not, consistent with American values or not, honestly or blatantly dishonest, they’ll do whatever it takes to seize and hold power. The For The People Act will clean up a lot of this, but not the GOP’s resetting how election systems work in the states so GOP officials can simply throw out votes from precincts or areas they simply “believe” (but cannot demonstrate or prove) have “fraud” (also known as “Black voters”). That’s going to require additional federal legislation.

Source: How Far Will the GOP Go To Steal the 2022 Election? | The Smirking Chimp

America, American Politics

America on the knife’s edge: Will the next year determine the fate of democracy? | Salon.com

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There are so many paradoxes to America’s current state of political dysfunction that no one could possibly list them all. The party that has embraced the task of trying to save democracy at the last moment, however awkwardly and incompletely — and however poisoned by its own internal contradictions — won, but very nearly lost. The party that has gone about 94 percent of the way into white nationalism and primitive fascism lost, primarily because of its contaminated figurehead — but could not possibly have come so close to winning without him. As for the massive question of whether liberal democracy can be saved, let’s put a pin in that one, as we say these days. As Pankaj Mishra points out repeatedly in his recent collection of essays, “Bland Fanatics,” Western-style liberalism had a perhaps-fatal flaw built into it from the beginning: Its expansion of human rights and representative democracy and the “free market” and whatever other noble and purportedly universal principles were always dependent on exploiting less powerful nations elsewhere in the world, first to extract raw materials and human capital, and then to serve as captive export markets.

Source: America on the knife’s edge: Will the next year determine the fate of democracy? | Salon.com