Blogs

Dear Professor Chomsky,

I have recently had the opportunity to read the correspondence between yourself and Dr. Fred Foldvary concerning the the political and economic theory of Henry George. Professor Folvary asked whether you were familiar with Mr. George's works to which you responded: "I did read Henry George years ago, when I was a college student. Whatever the merits of his proposal might have been at the time, they don't seem to me particularly meaningful now, given the sources of wealth and power."

Derived from the presentation at the Hume Global Learning Centre, June 28, 2006

Introduction

Tonight I am representing Prosper Australia, an organisation which has, in various guises, been a part of Victoria for over one hundred years. One key objective of the organisation is the reduction, as much as possible of taxes on labour and capital, and for public finances to be derived instead from site rental. Because when it comes down to it, there are only two sources for public revenue; the goods and services which are produced or the resources that are used.

Presentation to Prosper Australia’s 115th Commemoration Dinner at the John Curtin Hotel, September 1st 2005

It is a great honour to be the speak for this, the 115th annual commemoration dinner for Prosper Australia.

Being attacked by Andrew Landeryou brings credibility to two sayings.

Presentation to the 11th Shed A Tier Congress, Gippsland, Victoria, 9-10 July 2005

Presentation to Deakin University's "East Timor Studies Symposium", June 2005

Speech delivered at the March 18, Stop The War: Troops out Now Rally on March 18th, 2005 Melbourne. Due to time constraints parts of this were not presented or were abridged at the actual rally.

Published in Bad Subjects: Political Education for Everyday Life, Issue 72

Australia the Secular and Irreverent

Introduction

Recent articles, particularly from The Age newspaper [1], would suggest that land tax is causing a loss of investment and jobs in Victoria. Dramatic increases, due to the sharply progressive nature of the tax, has caused great concern among sections of the community. The Liberal opposition has responded with promises of land tax relief to small businesses.

The choice to engage in political activism has parallels with other forms of activity. Some people join the armed forces, the police or clergy with a similar objective of good intentions. Invariably the end-story of such choices are starkly similar. Either the individuals are 'eaten' by the system and become indistinguishable from the very people they sort to replace, or they become bitterly disillusioned about the prospects of reforming such systems and institutions.