The elephant outside the room

Love's Labours Lost

After a short time in office and their hard work to get re-elected, it's all a bit of a mess for the government.

It was probably not the economy which concerned the public , nor Mr Abbott indeed,  while campaigning, but more likely the debacle with the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd game of musical chairs.
In their first few months the coalition seemed to rush in like bulls in a china shop believing they had an absolute mandate to do what they liked. It would appear that the recent election results in Queensland  has dented that belief  Desperate to see himself as a  good guy, the Prime Minister is clutching at any straw that blows his way.
Can he recover? That is sixty-four thousand dollar question. In politics it is a question of knowing when to be patient and when not.

Needs must

"If sir doesn't like it, we have something else on the menu"

The latest mantra,  which the party faithful trot out at every interview possible , concentrates on the "mess inherited" from the previous Labor government.
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With regard to the government's  attempts to implement draconian budget proposals, Mr Abbott insists they "hear what people are saying". To demonstrate his good faith, the PM argues that should any new, or old,  proposed budget measures not work, he will endeavour to serve up different options.Sounds like a deal? Probably more a question of mutton dressed up as lamb.

The miserable science's Christmas

Sometimes  the right thing is done but for no reason it backfires dramatically. It's also a question that pricks the conscience of religious disciples; whether they have done the right thing for the wrong reason. It's a guaranteed method of self torture.People pray for many reasons and try to butter up the authority on high by including all the poor and oppressed in their orisons so as to give the impression that their own requests are pure and sincere. 

Strict observers of the self-help school become vexed when seeing money being given to those in need. They consider a trade agreement with inner Mongolia a better option ; that way the one-armed, deformed beggar would benefit in the longer term more so than money which would be spent on food or some such temporary need.

One thing is for certain.The government is cutting back on foreign aid, education and welfare in general because , economically, 'tis the right thing to do. No guilty consciences there.

The right thing....

....backfiring.