Obsessive_Passion

Statstics released by the ABS yesterday revealed unemployment rose in the month of October to 4.3%. Not sure about the NAIRU; apart from the target set between 5 and 6%, does anyone have current stats on it? Well, a poor TOT is a CAD-related problem, no? Anyway, it's a constraint on economic growth potential. Well, bringing business into this, it affects Australia's credit ratings; decrease in foreign investors' confidence. Downgrading will make future borrowings more costly. Though I suppose the valuation effect as a result of the AUD's appreciation will counter-act that. Maybe. Also: forces government to implement contractionary eco policy. MP tightened 6 times, while FP continues to be loosened, hmm... Conflict here? Aside: what effect does a conflict in FP and MP have on the economy? It's just interesting that FP = loosened and MP = tightened; does it limit effectiveness? Gah. Too many essay questions. Unemployment? Hmm, ok. How about a wage-price inflationary spiral? Eep. Indeed, Morgan poll released today revealed two-point drop for the Coalition. Hm, yipee? :-s Right, on another note - so you're not of voting age, yet you're just as knowledgeable as me on economic issues. Are you doing your WACE this year?

Within Temptation - What Have You Done

Politics and economics intertwined. I'm definitely up for this. :D I'm voting for Kevin Rudd for the lower house. In the Senate, I'm going the Greens. This country needs a change of government. On a two-party-preferred basis, let's break this down. The Coalition boasts experience. What about when they first took over from Labor? Were they not inexperienced then? The Coalition boasts excellent economic management. In fact, the PM does little. It's the bureaucrats who make most of the decisions. Ok, 16 years of sustained economic growth. Sure. Thanks to who? The PM? No. The resources boom and China. Ok, strong economic growth. Unemployment is at its lowest. What about hidden unemployment - those who do not fit the ABS' definition of "unemployment", and therefore are not counted in the unemployment rate? And structural unemployment? Shortage of skilled labour? What about external stability, the problem of the current account deficit? Yes, I'm sure you've all heard problems with Australia's "CAD". It can affect international competitiveness and increase currency volatility. Environmental management? What about Australia's unequal distribution of income? Indeed, the only economic objectives the government seems to have successfully achieved are economic growth and price stability (i.e. low inflation). Now, onto the Coalition's smear and fear campaigns. I'm sick of them. 70% of ALP members were ex-union officials. It's officially embedded in my memory now. However... Surely some of the Coalition's party members were members in a union before? Surely? Onto Kevin Rudd's "me too-ism". I don't blame him. Let's look at the first week of the election campaign. Yes, big tax breaks by the Coalition on the first day. Tax breaks are one of the ways to win votes. What else could Labor have done? Increase tax rates? Tighten fiscal policy? Peter Garrett. And his little gaff. I blame Steve Price (2UE) for inflating the problem. Totally. Personally, the interest rate rise was necessary. Ok, yes, it proved the RBA operates independently from the government, which is good. It's operating as it should be. But it was necessary because inflation was getting out of hand. Sure, CPI Inflation is at 1.9%, which is well between the RBA's inflationary target of 2-3%. However, it's a false indicator. Underlying core inflation was well above that figure, nearing the borderline of 3% as a result of some one-off health care changes, I think? Ok, 6 interest rate rises since the last election. Howard promised to "keep interest rates low." He made a promise, and broke it. Now, one can argue that since the RBA acts independently from the government, party leaders should refrain from making such promises due to their limited influence on monetary policy. If so, why make the promise? Simply, to win votes. Most people don't understand the whole "interest rates" thing. Many think that a rise is bad. Sure, it is - theoretically, the AUD would appreciate, deterioration of Australia's terms of trade index, worsening of CAD, etc. However, what's worse? Paying more on your mortgage or seeing inflation raise all prices? Edited to add: I thought I'd put in a quick word on labour market reforms, since there was a frankly lame essay question on it in the HSC Economics paper on Tuesday. Put simply, the changes made to the Workplace Relations Act (i.e. essentially, "WorkChoices") can be deemed as anti-union. You've seen the ACTU's protests. You've heard the complaints from workers. Industrial conflict only during the enterprise bargaining period. Let's look at a business - Qantas. Look at the number of disputes they've had recently over their decision to move workers (and pilots) onto AWAs. Lots of lost productivity there, I should think.

Hmm, underage drinking. Here in Australia the legal drinking age is 18, but whether or not that reflects the maturity and responsibility of teenagers, I wouldn't know. As half of the students in my year are already 18, a representative from an organisation came to give a talk about underage drinking, drug consumption, etc. However, rather than lecturing us on why we shouldn't take drugs, alcohol, etc, he provided us with information that would enable us to make responsible and well-informed choices. Underage drinking is a problem because it is illegal, yes - that's a known fact; however, it is a social problem that cannot be entirely eradicated. Personally, I don't drink. Sure, the occasional glass of Moet Chandon or Dubonet is a nice treat on special occasions, but nothing in excess of a glass. I wouldn't exactly consider it a waste, but more as something unnecessary to daily life, for the moment. Besides, at this pinnacle point in our schooling life, I think most people are drinking in excess of 10 cups of coffee rather than consuming alchohol.

Ok, taking that into account and restraining myself from using the word 'believe' to prevent further potential wordplay: I don't think 'fate' is real. It is not a truth, it is not a fact. I don't think it exists. Justification? Probably mentioned in my above post. Aside: if we 'believe' in something, it doesn't necessarily imply that we find 'truth' in it, or that we consider it factual. We may choose to believe one ideology or philosophy over another simply because it seems the most logical and probable, but not necessarily the most truthful (and what about the 'process of elimination'? Idea A seems false, by process of elimination I'll choose to believe Idea B. But is it necessarily true? I shouldn't think so.) So essentially, even if people don't 'believe' in fate or perceive it to be real, there's still the chance that 'fate' exists? If that's the case, then what's the point of this discussion? If, regardless of what we think, fate is an underlying everpresent force, then why are we even contributing our opinions to this?

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When I was younger, I kept a daily journal where I'd keep track of daily events, and lend my emotions a voice. Nowadays, I'm stronger. I don't need a piece of pen and paper to help sort out my anguish. I guess I've adopted different methods of coping over the years. When I have time, I might take it up again. Unfortunately, the only free time I currently have is used for study or to catch up on lost sleep. Gah.

Animotion - Obsession. I'm having a sudden craving for 80s pop music.

Hmm, who'd have thought all those years of English study actually helps? Just completed a transformation module on Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead whereby we were required to focus on assumptions/themes/concepts, one of which examined fate, destiny, fortune. So, just some general thoughts: After being drummed on existentialist thought and absurdism, I honestly don't think it matters. Fate? What is fate? The only two certainties in life are: birth and death. Rather than worry about fate or question the powerlessness of individuals, or try to prevent our death, let's prepare ourselves for what is, in fact, inevitable. Let's adopt the mindset that we will all, eventually, die. Of course, context always shapes values; and this not only applies to texts, but society in general. Ok, my opinion: No, I don't believe in fate, however, I do acknowledge that others do believe in fate, destiny, fortune, etc. It is a belief: not a fact, nor theory, nor opinion. Hence, it is not a truth. Apologies, lost that train of thought. Free will? Ah, humanism. I like to think I have some degree of power and influence over my own life. And yet, simultaneously, we condemn ourselves with this free will, rendering us responsible for all actions we take. I think, to believe in fate is, well, not entirely to be ignorant of reality, but to shut it out, somewhat. It's easy to blame 'fate' or 'destiny' for everything wrong that happens. It requires someone with an increased capacity to cope to say: I could not have avoided it. I am responsible for my actions. I don't know. These thoughts seem jumbled up. Might edit later.

No, this never happens to me; never has as far as my memory can recollect. Nowadays when I go out shopping I wear my Year 12 jersey, so most people recognise instantly my age, status, etc. At my age, no, it isn't a problem. In my area, I think people are far too conservative to ask questions. We go to the cashier, pay, and walk out. No questions asked.

I find it easier to be pessimistic and view the glass as being half-empty rather than half-full. It helps me to cope with life more easily - if I anticipate the worst and actually achieve better than I originally expected, isn't that more satisfying? Especially in this world of freedom, endless opportunities and pathways, it's easy to feel disappointed. If we prepare ourselves for what could well be the inevitable, I guess it 'cushions' the discontent for when it does happen. Just a thought.

Gah, feels like ages since I last posted. Hmm, and suddenly we skip 1,000 posts. Right. 13,465

Compared to most of the tv shows broadcasted here, Heroes is one of the most compelling. True, at times the plot seems too complex: too many characters, too many coincidences (or perhaps, inevitabilities?). But the suspense and style of filming, editing, etc, seems to make up for it. It remains one of the few shows I still watch on free-to-air tv (while the series lasts).

I don't own a car yet, but I'm driving my dad's Honda Accord Euro Luxury. Great steering and interior finish, though space is somewhat lacking.

Wow, that would be awesome! I'm going through a period of loving British drama, comedy, etc, and recently got hooked onto Doctor Who after stumbling across David Tennant. Though here in Australia, we don't get much of it...