We’re yet to see whether the Federal Coalition succumb to hubris about being a permanent governing party in the wake of their Senate majority post July 1. However, all the signs are that they will – leadership wars, contempt for the principles of Federalism, and a fractured and dysfunctional policy process driven overwhelmingly by politics. The latest temptation for the Liberals is the claim by the likes of the 7.30 Report’s Michael Brissenden that Labor is stuffed at the next election because of the Budget handouts, a claim that could not be more premature (and which has now spread to the blogosphere. The ALP in fact has a number of lines of attack against the budget which could be quite effective, and it’s really far too early in the electoral cycle to pronounce Beazley Labor dead in the water.
The American Democrats are demonstrating how it’s possible to fight back even from a poor legislative and political position. The Republicans should beware of their current course. The beginning of the end for FDR in domestic policy influence was the 1937 Court-packing plan. It wasn’t only the coalescence of a “Conservative Coalition” of Republicans and Southern Democrats that diminished his influence in Congress, but also the final alienation of several progressive Democratic Senators who’d previously been strong supporters. Given the doubts that some Republicans have about Dr Frist’s “nuclear option”, it might repay him – and the President – to read a little political history.
I don’t think the analogy to Australian politics is faithful at all. The US Dems are having some successes because the rules of the US senate give some degrees of power to the minority. The Australian senate has nothing like Rule XXII and a government decision to amend the rules of the Senate would lead only to deep and profound boredom. Opposition parties, especially minor opposition parties, need different tactics in Oz.
I don’t think the analogy to Australian politics is faithful at all. The US Dems are having some successes because the rules of the US senate give some degrees of power to the minority. The Australian senate has nothing like Rule XXII and a government decision to amend the rules of the Senate would lead only to deep and profound boredom. Opposition parties, especially minor opposition parties, need different tactics in Oz.
Does BIS Shrapnel still forecast a recession for 2007?
I recall them coming out and saying that two weeks after the election whilst saying their study had been completed two or three weeks before the election.
Does BIS Shrapnel still forecast a recession for 2007?
I recall them coming out and saying that two weeks after the election whilst saying their study had been completed two or three weeks before the election.
I don’t know, Vee.
Alan – the point is how the Demos are exploiting the Republicans’ hubris, exemplified by the rule fight not that identical tactics would work in our Senate.
I don’t know, Vee.
Alan – the point is how the Demos are exploiting the Republicans’ hubris, exemplified by the rule fight not that identical tactics would work in our Senate.
A week is a lont time in politics so three years is an eternity.
This budget is predicated on the Commodity prices boom continuing.
It won’t and remember SuperMac has said that a speed limit of the economy from now on is 2+!!!!!
History buffs should remember what previous governments here and overseas did when they started talking about no government debt.
As the US shows the budgetary situation can change quite quickly the other way.
I will wait until tonight to see if bomber is a goose or a genius
A week is a lont time in politics so three years is an eternity.
This budget is predicated on the Commodity prices boom continuing.
It won’t and remember SuperMac has said that a speed limit of the economy from now on is 2+!!!!!
History buffs should remember what previous governments here and overseas did when they started talking about no government debt.
As the US shows the budgetary situation can change quite quickly the other way.
I will wait until tonight to see if bomber is a goose or a genius