Christian socialism?(Letter to the editor)

SIR: Chris Lewis's assessment (April 2007) of how different a Labor government might be in its approach to economic and workplace policies provides much food for thought, but I think the prognosis for the country under Labor is worse than he would have us believe.

There are strong indicators that at least initially Kevin Rudd may adopt a more pragmatic, centralist stance than those on the far Left might be comfortable with. He cleverly judges Australian voters to be a pragmatic, reasonable bunch who mistrust ideologues and cranks. Like his counterpart and fellow smiling "Christian Socialist" Tony Blair, Kevin Rudd recognises the power of appearing charming, affable, moderate and reasonable while simultaneously paving the way for increased state monopoly and squeezing the middle-class taxpayer for an ever-increasing burden of social initiatives and public service spending.

Whilst in opposition, Rudd has the luxury of toeing the Howard line where it is expedient for him to do so (such as support for the USA) and he can at least pretend to shape industrial relations policy without the imprimatur of the Trades Hall. I suspect that once secure in power and the shackles of mainstream public opinion are undone, the dormant ideas of confiscation, re-distribution and statism will again find fertile ground and a different Kevin Rudd will emerge. The taxpayer should not underestimate the power of ideology. The revolution is a perpetual one and there are plenty of funds in the kitty.

Anyone doubting the consequences of ...