(in the short term) is not the end of the world; sometimes it's entirely appropriate, such as in times of fiscal crisis when the private sector withdraws expenditure and there is a need to stimulate demand. The alternative is to do nothing and endure the resultant unemployment and social dislocation that results. While the government could have done a better job in directing the expenditure, time was also a factor, as injecting liquidity into the economy quickly was necessary to avoid the aforementioned economic and social impacts. The nose : 03 May 2012 1:41:32pm The hatred of Gillard is bordering on hysteria. The ignorant masses have lost all rational reasoning, whipped up by Abbott and the Murdoch media, Hitler used the same brainwashing rhetoric, simple three word slogans, repeated over and over again at every opportunity. Till the masses become hypnotised. just saying : 03 May 2012 1:37:04pm Yeah well Tim, maybe to all that. But nothing will change so long as we all are stupid enough to be distracted by the petty politics of division peddled by our media owners. The ruling class doing what they do - looking after their own interests. Blueboy : 03 May 2012 1:35:06pm I love to read the garbage Labor supporters like Tin Dunlop keep writing on the Drum. Yeah Tim keep believing the problem is that it is 1. A Labor Govt. Hang on, did not a majority of Australians vote for a Labor Govt and vote Howard out a couple of