'Public schools are not that different to many private schools in terms of facilities'? Vanna, which country do you live in? I 'do' both public and private schools every week, and they are worlds apart. Public School teachers do not have any say where purchases are made - their Department of Education will have preferred suppliers, who don't seem to be selected on price or quality, so perhaps the contracts just go to Government mates. The private schools are huge offenders in purchasing imports - from swank uniforms made in third world countries by children the same age as their students to the high end European cars provided to their principals.

Candide,
There are public schools with air-conditioning in every room, landscaped gardens between each class block, sport ovals with fully automated irrigation systems, and even student operated cafes.

I know of a public school where a grade 5 student has their normal teacher, as well as a music teacher, a sports teacher, a LOTE teacher, a spelling teacher, and now the school want a specialised science teacher as well (and what the normal teacher will do I have no idea).

As mentioned, I have never heard of any teacher, either from a private or public school every talk of the need to purchase items from Australia, but every teacher I have known has spoken of their desire to get more pay and more taxpayer funding.

I cannot remember any teacher speak of the need to reduce our trade deficit, and I have only occasionally heard of teachers speak of the high levels of illiteracy and innumeracy now plaguing Australia.

Both of those issues can readily drive our country into third world status, and if you believe it can't, watch what happens if coal exports suddenly decrease.

Ritchie10 <" But in the sophisticated west we mock christ and reinforce the curse upon our nation. It does not matter whether you believe in the curse or not you only have to go to any cancer clinic to see part of the curse in operation."

Are you for real? Correct me if I am wrong, but are you saying that cancer is sent to the people in the 'West' because we 'mock christ'?

According to you <" In third world countries people receive the good news that Jesus has redemed them from the curse"
So...people in the third world don't get cancer? Yeah right!

How sad that you still live with the very ancient view that disease is 'sent to us by God' as punishment for our sins.

How then can you possibly reconcile with the diseases and illnesses that tiny babies, who can't possibly have 'sinned', succumb to?

Dear Susie,
When Adam chose to disobey God He put every one of us under the curse and part of that curse is sickness. God warned of the consequences but Adam CHOSE to disobey, Eve was deceived and as such she was innocent but Adam CHOSE. Cursed is the earth because of Adams choice. Jesus became the curse to take the curse off man but unless you bother to take the time to seak out your inheritence in Christ you will never inherit good health. Man has free will and that is why Jesus taught us to pray "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".{So you can surrender your will to Jesus.}
The good news is that in Gods Kingdom the curse put on the devil back in the beginning does not operate . God cursed the devil and Adam chose to believe the devil rather then heed Gods warning. In third world country's that good news is received with joy. Here in Australia the good news is received with discust and the barer of good news is mocked as we have been programed to listen to the glamorous, the sensational, and the bad news stories.
The devil hasn't changed he still wants to userp mans dominion on planet earth and he still uses the same old line"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God". I am sure that Gods word is truth for all mankind die then the judgment.
Misinformation abounds every where. The truth is found in Gods Word. John 1-14 tells us that the word became flesh (Jesus). I hope this gives you a better understanding. Man is still trying to make a way to live for ever young. Impossible for man but all things are possible with God. God didn't put the curse on man, He put it on satin and Adam chose to believe satin.

Ok Ritchie10 (sigh), I give up!
Have a blessed, happy life.

Cheers, Suze.

<<< God didn't put the curse on man, He put it on satin and Adam chose to believe satin. >>>

Um, does this mean I should toss out my satin bedsheets?

Just askin'.