Don’t address the concern, shoot the critic

08-March-2011

It’s a strategy that President Obama’s spin team employed when he was neck-deep in political hot water over an incredibly unpopular health care policy – demonise the critics.

Instead of addressing valid criticisms, damn the people making them.

Witness the way the groundswell “Tea Party” movement was wrongly characterised by most of the mainstream media in the US and here as well. There’s a derisory edge, almost a snigger, whenever the media discuss this significant political movement. 

The fact is, the media, mostly enamored with Obama or at least supportive of his health policy, swallowed and perpetuated the line that critics were on “the radical fringe” and thereby easy to dismiss.  They proved to be neither.

But when the protests grew louder and more passionate, the diversionary tactic then employed was to raise a white herring debate about “civility in political exchange”.  Once again, instead of discussing the criticisms, it was time to “tut, tut” and lament the tone of the debate. 

Let’s talk instead about the nasty people who are being so horribly “negative”.
Stung by the fierce public opposition to Gillard’s sudden announcement that Australia was to be saddled with a massive carbon tax, just months after she promised it wouldn’t happen under her leadership, Labor strategists are grasping to employ the Obama tactics.

Witness the way legitimate and copious talkback calls from everyday Australians expressing concern about the carbon tax have been dismissed as a “fear campaign whipped up by shock jocks”.

Witness the confected outrage and beat-up concern about the tone of the debate in reaction to the use of a simile by myself and other Opposition MPs that would normally be considered part of the cut and thrust of political debate.

Labor Governments get suddenly sensitive when they have an unpopular, complex and difficult-to-sell policy.  And the media become reticent to ask tough questions when it’s a policy they support.

Of course, the reason the carbon tax is hard to sell is because it’s a dud.  Like a dodgy used car salesman, Gillard is trying to foist a lemon on the Australian public.  And early reaction shows they simply aren’t buying.

In fact, consumer confidence has taken a nose-dive since the announcement and industry groups and businesses are increasingly demanding concessions and compensation. 

There are so many legitimate questions about Labor’s massive carbon tax. Will petrol be included? We don’t know for sure but the Greens want it to be, so it’s highly likely.  How much will it add to the cost of living? What we do know is that increased energy costs will feed into the price everything.

But the biggest question of all is – what exactly will Labor’s massive new tax actually achieve?

We will be exporting our production to countries with less stringent environmental regulations.  In one foul swoop not only will we have exported jobs but also exported production to countries who will emit more carbon to make the things we used to.
In fact, it will be a huge incentive for big polluters like China and India to ramp up production to maximize their competitive advantage while it lasts.

Wayne Swan talks in vague terms about our economy being “left behind”. This is tricky doublespeak when in fact the carbon tax will add to costs for local industry and make imports more competitive.

Instead of explaining their carbon tax, Labor will demonise those Australians who have legitimate concerns.  They’ll reduce the discussion to one about the “tone” of the debate and take offence at any slightly colourful criticisms.  It diverts attention and gets them off the hook.

The fact is, the real “purpose” of this tax is to ensure Julia Gillard and Labor cling to power at all costs.  It can be the only reason to adopt a policy that she categorically rejected just a few months ago.  Labor needs the Greens to smile favourably on them to retain power.
Julia Gillard can stick to her promise to the Australian people to not introduce a carbon tax.  She has a choice.  She can refuse to introduce the tax and risk the ire of the Greens.  But that could mean they withdraw support for the Government. 

So Gillard’s clear choice is between her commitment to the Australian people and their jobs or keeping her own job.

A delusional leader desperately clinging to power at all cost … well, you draw your own comparisons if you dare!