The next time you hear about Kevin Rudd putting yet another 'half baked' proposals, especially on the international front, you can say , "Ruddy Rudding It! (again!)".
While in Japan, he announced setting up an international commission to oversee nuclear proliferation. Just last week he proposed setting up an Asian Union that resembles the EU. Those proposals are noble but there are many good ideas being dished up every week albeit going unnoticed. Even the Malaysian Prime Minister last week tabled a proposal to ban oil speculation to prevent massive fuel hike.
The question is, of course, how practical can the proposals be realised. Kevin's Asian Union idea is too idealistic to be workable in our lifetime. There is too much diversity, political, cultural, ethnic and religious blockades in the region for an EU-type union to work.
I am pretty surprised that Kevin, being a China-expert, can dish out such a proposal as he would very well understand in North-East Asia already there are barriers for China, the Koreas and Japan to come and work together as one. There is too much conflict of interests. Even the idea of getting these countries together to form a Confucian Union, based on their similar cultural values, won't be able to see much light for the next half a century.
With the benefit of doubt, perhaps he is suggesting a framework to work towards that goal for the benefit of the future generation. And if that is the case, I say aye. What Kevin really needs to do and focus now is the economy. Yes, it is the economy and so please rudd your way back home to battle any possible economic downturns. Asian Union or nuclear disarmament won't protect the worth of the dollar we have now.
While in Japan, he announced setting up an international commission to oversee nuclear proliferation. Just last week he proposed setting up an Asian Union that resembles the EU. Those proposals are noble but there are many good ideas being dished up every week albeit going unnoticed. Even the Malaysian Prime Minister last week tabled a proposal to ban oil speculation to prevent massive fuel hike.
The question is, of course, how practical can the proposals be realised. Kevin's Asian Union idea is too idealistic to be workable in our lifetime. There is too much diversity, political, cultural, ethnic and religious blockades in the region for an EU-type union to work.
I am pretty surprised that Kevin, being a China-expert, can dish out such a proposal as he would very well understand in North-East Asia already there are barriers for China, the Koreas and Japan to come and work together as one. There is too much conflict of interests. Even the idea of getting these countries together to form a Confucian Union, based on their similar cultural values, won't be able to see much light for the next half a century.
With the benefit of doubt, perhaps he is suggesting a framework to work towards that goal for the benefit of the future generation. And if that is the case, I say aye. What Kevin really needs to do and focus now is the economy. Yes, it is the economy and so please rudd your way back home to battle any possible economic downturns. Asian Union or nuclear disarmament won't protect the worth of the dollar we have now.
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