John Passant

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March 2012
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Canberra: Left Unity Public Forum
Left Unity: A Forum with Socialist Alternative and Socialist Alliance on Left Unity 6 pm Thursday 16 May Room G 52 Haydon-Allen Building ANU Socialist Alternative and Socialist Alliance are in talks about unity, and as part of that process we will hold a joint forum here in Canberra on left unity in Australia. If you are interested in this exciting development and want to learn more or be involved, come along to this public forum and hear the discussion and debate. https://www.facebook.com/events/452603648150763/ (0)

Labor's super back down: a party rotten to the core
Me on superannuation and the death rattle of the ALP in The  Conversation. (0)

Marxism 2013 Conference
“Marxism is one of the best forums for debate in Australia” John Pilger gives a glowing review of the Marxism Conference. He will be returning to speak at Marxism 2013. Buy your tickets online today at www.marxismconference.org The talk on Saturday at 4 pm about taxing the rich looks interesting too.  Wonder who is giving that one? (0)

Marx and taxing economic rent in Australia
A very amateurish first draft by me on Marx and taxing economic rent, with too much explanation of basic ideas and then off on tangents and misunderstood ideas. http://docs.business.auckland.ac.nz/Doc/51-John-Passant.pdf

(0)

An article of mine on superannuation tax rorts in the Canberra Times
This is an article of mine in the Canberra Times on Tuesday 12 February. I argue that the benefits of the superannuation tax concessions go disproportionately and overwhelmingly to the rich and that it’s time to end the super tax rorts. (3)

Me in the media recently on tax
‘Mining Tax shortfall: the experts respond’ The Conversation 8 February 2013 ‘Current super concessions favour the wealthy – so why aren’t we supporting reform?” The Conversation 8 February 2013 (0)

Tax the rich
I am speaking at Marxism 2013 on taxing the rich. I will be talking on Sunday 31 March at 11.30. The Conference is the biggest left wing event of the year, over Easter at Melbourne University. Others speakers among the 70 or more include John Pilger, Gary Foley, Billy X Jennings, Brian Jones, Bob Carnegie, Jeff Sparrow, Antony Loewenstein, Toufic Haddad, and speakers from parties from Indonesia, The Philippines, Pakistan, New Zealand, the US and many many more….Check out the link here. (2)

The 99 Passant
I am about half through compiling the first volume of my most read (readers’ view) or most interesting (my view) articles from this blog.  Keep an eye out for Volume I of the 99 Passant when it is published later this year. I’ll keep you updated. (0)

More threats
As some of you may know I have been censoring the posts of a serial pest who makes anti-Muslim and racist comments and has in the past threatened me. He has posted again saying that the next time he is in my area – he names my street – he’ll ‘drop in to say g’day’. Clearly this is an attempt to further intimidate me. If anything happens to me or my family here are his details to provide to police.  jack 58.96.105.106  He has a druid name email at txc. (0)

Doctors and other bruises
I am having various tests and analysis done with a range of doctors over the coming weeks so may not be as communicative as normal on this blog. Bear with me. Hopefully I will be back in the New Year fighting fit. (4)

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Archive for March, 2012

Saturday’s socialist speak out

The task as I see it is to build Socialist Alternative so the left has a strong voice in Australia and a commitment to socialism from below and can help build the fight back against the attacks of the bosses and their Labor lackeys in Parliament, against job losses, against war and for better wages and conditions.

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Marxism 2012: Revolution in the air – Mebourne from 5 April

MALALAI JOYA will be speaking at Marxism 2012 Opening Night session in Melbourne! With her on stage this coming Thursday night 5 April from 6.30 pm at Melbourne Uni will be numerous other international speakers.

Stop Labor and its budget cuts

Industrial action to defend jobs and increase wages and protect vital programs is the way to beat the slashers and burners. We workers have been too quiet for too long and Labor and the Liberals have been able to ride roughshod over us and distribute more of our wealth to Gina and Twiggy and Clive. The time has come to say enough is enough. Make the bosses pay.

Capitalism and the environment

If we want to stop environmental destruction and live in a truly sustainable society, we have to abolish capitalism. The choice, to put it bluntly, is between capitalism and a habitable planet.

Labor, Labor, why don’t you give me a call?

Develop and implement polices that redistribute wealth from the super rich to working people and the poor. Increase real wages, fix the gender pay gap immediately, tax the rich till their pips squeak, employ more teachers and nurses, invest in public transport, renewable energy and a universal Dental health care scheme …

And while we are suggesting a left turn, withdraw from Afghanistan, welcome (not imprison) refugees, end the Northern Territory intervention, recognise equal love…

Take on the bosses, not crawl to them.

Where did Kony come from?

People who wish to express solidary with ordinary Africans should do the opposite of what “Kony 2012″ asks us to do. We need to reverse U.S. imperial policies of looting and repression, whether carried out firsthand or by local proxy forces. “Kony 2012″ asks us to provide a humanitarian cover for intensifying these crimes.

Bligh Bligh Labor?

Without a fight of any sort by unions the LNP in Queensland will rule the roost and ride roughshod over wages, conditions and jobs. But with a fight the cocky bastards could be sent back to their lair, licking their wounds and giving workers some breathing space.

Saturday’s socialist speak out

The funeral of Margaret Whitlam and the pantheon of ageing and current Labor leaders who attended marks a symbolic burying of social democracy in Australia, although in reality the death happened long ago under Hawke and Keating. Zombie Social Democracy has continued more recently under Rudd and Gillard.

Why God never received a PhD

From ‘a deeply embittered’ non-Ph D person.

Is Clive Palmer mining nuts now?

When the Sun kings of profit get challenged the ideology of their empires is threatened and the nudity of their worth stands for all ordinary working people to see. So having not lived in the real world of work, of labour, they do what they always do – invent a self serving story.

If the economy worsens or the Greens actually begin to exercise some power instead of being Democrats in waiting, what Palmer said about them will be a small taste of much worse to come as the rich maggots squirm and worm to protect their rotting patches.