STEVE GIBSON

The union in many cases is reduced to the level of a facilitator, an agent or a "party" in negotiations. As such, how can it be seen by its members to be an organized and dedicated instrument relentlessly pursuing their aspirations and resolutely protecting their wages, conditions and standards?

Although the Australian landowners [of the late 1800s] wailed and bleated about the eventual resort to direct taxes, it was becoming increasingly clear that many had virtually stolen the land in the first place….We learn from the lessons of history that the wealthy in this country have always used each and every means at their disposal to block any and all measures designed to ensure that they pay any, let alone their "fair share", of the taxes necessary to pay for commonly used infrastructure and services, just as they do today.

Although the Australian landowners [of the late 1800s] wailed and bleated about the eventual resort to direct taxes, it was becoming increasingly clear that many had virtually stolen the land in the first place….We learn from the lessons of history that the wealthy in this country have always used each and every means at their disposal to block any and all measures designed to ensure that they pay any, let alone their "fair share", of the taxes necessary to pay for commonly used infrastructure and services, just as they do today.

The union in many cases is reduced to the level of a facilitator, an agent or a "party" in negotiations. As such, how can it be seen by its members to be an organized and dedicated instrument relentlessly pursuing their aspirations and resolutely protecting their wages, conditions and standards?