Choose not to be conned

The divide between rich and poor has never been greater but John Howard’s Liberal Coalition continues to practice failed policies. The recipe is familiar - cut social spending, free up corporations and capital while civil liberties and union rights are eroded, sell off valuable public assets and make people pay and pay.

Howard’s policies have squandered resources needed in education, health, employment, the environment and overseas aid. Funds have instead been channelled into corporate welfare and defence, in blind support of US aggression, adding misery and insecurity at home and to an already tense globe. A case could be made for a charge of crimes against humanity against the Howard Government for attacking Iraq.

To enact socially-damaging policies in parliamentary democracies like Australia governments have to scheme and lie to get consent.The sorriest index to the damage is the fact that for some age, ethnic and geographic groups, unemployment is about 50% while for indigenous people it’s more than 75%. The political and economic lie sometimes used to hide this truth is that "technically" we have full employment.

The whistleblowing, about Howard Government lies, by former high ranking defence personnel and bureaucrats is a warning bell about a shift to a propaganda-based government.

But, no amount of lying can hide the fact that Howard has relentlessly chosen in favour of the wealthy and powerful minority.

In the coming elections we invite people to refuse to be conned and not to choose Howard’s Government.