That's your argument?

I frequently wonder how certain people who on the surface appear simpletons make it to the top of the political ladder. To positions of serious consenquence, responsible for spending billions of dollars and overseeing tens to hundreds of thousands of employees. In making decisions that have significant consequence.

People who in another environment would struggle to pay their mortgage.

It’s not just that politics is show business for ugly people. Politics seems increasingly the pathway to prosperity for medicrats.

Just look at wealth accumulated by people whose entire careers have been in the service of the people. In addition to their gold lapel pins.

Which brings me to former NSW Treasurer and Liberal Party moover and shaker Matt Kean.

Writing in the AFR, Kean is making his case for climate action and carbon abatement. You know what I am talking about.

Trying the jujitsu move of using his opponents strength against them, he addresses head on the question many people in Australia are asking in the context of the large economic burden they are expected to bear for the globally insignificant benefit.

So what does Kean have to say. He acknowledges the issue:

Australia is more than an observer of these global developments. Our domestic carbon emissions may be about 1per cent of the global total

But to show how politically and economically savvy he his, he adds:

but our role as one of the world’s biggest exporters of coal and gas swells that impact five-fold.

Yes. Australia is not just 1% of direct global emissions. But because of our coal and gas exports, we are really 5% of emissions. And for this, Australians must SUFFFA.

Seemining unmoved by the reality that global emissions are rising and will continue to rise, Kean feels that Australians have not suffered enough. More economic pain is warranted.

He argues that the pain is worth it becuase there will be fewed significant weather events which will mean more affordable insurance. Don’t think so mate. But how much of your government financed superannuation and personal wealth are you prepared to put against this bet?

None? Oh that’s right. Politics is no longer about outcomes. It’s about performance and self reward.