Thanks, Stephen, for a sensible, thought-provoking article. You evoke the importance of taking responsibility for ourselves while retaining the capacity to put ourselves in the shoes of those facing difficulties and reaching out to them as and when we can, be they family, friend or stranger.

Stephen,
In your previous article you spoke about parential responsibility and i agreed with that. In this article you speak about financial responsibility and i agree again.

When things get tight, the first things we should give up is the luxeries. I used to smoke and now I cannot imagine how much that would cost me a week. I drink but brew my own beer at a cost of 40c a large bottle or longneck. Gave up going to the pub as well as I live out of town and the loss of licence would be too much.

People need to be more responsibile for their actions. The problem with common sense is that it is not as common as it should be.

Oh, and I do not see any reason that a person with indigenous hertitage should not comment on items common to all. Dispite a post seemingly critisizing you in the previous article.

This was a refreshing article Stephen. It must have taken a little courage to help the lady out and I am sure she appreciated it. More of that from all people will certainly break down barriers. I have seen first hand how a life of gambling can keep even good wage earners on the breadline and constantly in debt. It amazing how much cash we can free up when we break free of some of these addictions. It amazes me that even in recessions people have money for grog and cigs but not food for kids.

Yes a good interesting article.

Stephen might explore some more how our differences are in reality more social or economic.

Race is mostly an excuse presented to avoid addressing the basis of social and economic differences.

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