The Hillside Philosopher

The Hillside Philosopher is a fellow who likes to sit on a hillside and think cheery, slightly subversive thoughts. Is it un-Australian to not care at all about the property market? To be non-materialistic? To roll the stem of a freshly-plucked flower between your fingers whilst gazing at clouds?

A Couple of Quick Ones

Some super funds have lost 20% of their value lately. All bow to the mighty stock market. Now there's an emperor who truly has no clothes. Kind of funny how we never had a plan B, isn't it? Invest everyone's money in the stock market. Watch it grow. But what if there's a crash? Perhaps it was a scam to begin with... why let people decide what to do with their money when it can be pumped into the market?

Second cartoon.... speaks for itself.

Go On, Aussie, Go On (Off to China)

So, Pacific Brands, makers of Bonds, are sacking their workers and moving their clothing manufacturing to China.

So, is Chesty Bond out of a job? Poor Chesty belongs to another era, and will face a tough challenge re-skilling and finding work in today's economy (note: is "reskilling" a proper word?)

It's sad. All the PM can do is wring his hands as yet another company takes its manufacturing offshore. Of course, they work for less in China. Everyone knows that. But is it a good thing to lose your entire manufacturing base? Because we lose jobs and tax revenue along with it. Maybe it's time for a bit of good old-fashioned protectionism.

Banks, Non-Banks, Money, and the Government, and Stuff

The Australian government tried hard to revive public confidence in "non-bank lenders", but to no avail. The big banks are enjoying a bigger percentage of the lending market than before the economic troubles. The public are staying away from non-bank lenders in droves.

Why? Something to do with "mortgage backed securities" not being very popular these days.

Like many folk who lack degrees in finance, I struggle with some of the terms and phrases bandied about these days. But I think my cartoon pretty much sums up the situation.

Abu Ghraib Re-Opens for Business (and Optional Blow-Dry)

So the infamous Abu Ghraib prison is being reopened.

Now it features all sorts of up-to-date facilities for inmates, such as "a library, outdoor recreational areas, green houses and even a barber shop."

This brings to mind some very odd (and disturbing) scenarios. Abu Ghraib will forever be associated with darkly iconic images such as The Man in the Hood...

Costello's Critic

longtime treasurer and now do-nothing opposition backbencher Peter Costello was the target of a very unflattering opinion piece by ex-Liberal leader John Hewson. John's smouldering invective can be read here.

A Stimulating Package Revisited

Another cartoon mining the same vein as the preceding one. Somehow credit card companies as vacuum cleaners is both silly and sinister at the same time. To me. The fellow in the background is meant to be some sort of Australian "everyman." And he is. He really is.