Jolanda, I have just read your "ourdemocracy" blog. I share, in some ways, some of your experiences and concerns re: the stonewalling that you have received. It is so frustrating to go through all the channels that politicians, governments and well-meaning people advise - only to come up against stonewalling and tactics of avoidance. Our family all suffered adverse physical and mental trauma because of the bullying by the local private-school community - that treatment was then compounded, even multiplied, by having our complaints ignored or dealt with as if our evidence, situation and arguments don't warrant attention because of that culture of "we have the power therefore we know all you know nothing" - "we have infinite resources at our disposal - you have a mortgage - you'll just have to put up with things". It seems to me from your experience and my less traumatic but similar ones that their is something endemic in large institutions - they seem to be trying to protect their status as infalliable organisations. The annoying thing about this treatment is it sort of denies your reality and can make you feel like you are worthless - especially when you are treated like dog doo on a wedding shoe.
While I don't agree with a lot of your views, I do want you and your children to be treated fairly and with respect - and I believe that you have the right to have access to an education system that treats you and your children, and all children and their parents so. And I think that your complaints need to be addressed.
Mine never were - Catholic hierarchy in my area simply refused to speak with us on relevant issues. Certain Catholics would rather spend their energy defaming, misleading and i think trying to force us out of our home. Police action has hopefully ended their physical abuse. Nevertheless, my experiences have been a blessing, the insight I have gained is priceless. I don't think I would have believed people like you or given a toss five years ago. Best wishes.

Rancid. I am so sorry that you family has had to suffer being treated so unfairly and unjustly. You deserve better. It isn’t right or fair.

I too believe that what has happened to us has opened our eyes and given us insight. I feel sad for the children. Being treated so poorly and as though they are insignificant does make them feel worthless and as though they are not valued. It messes with their mind at the most vulnerable times of their development.

It certainly does help to have an avenue to tell our side of the story and I really do appreciate your kind words and your belief that we are justified in seeking a proper and fair investigation.

The Department is not going to hear the end of this one until they do the right thing. The amount of times the Department has sat back and permitted my children to be treated so unfairly and unjustly is in my opinion more unforgivable than the acts themselves. My children are prepared to protest as many times as it takes and I have informed the Department that if I have to I will go on a hunger strike outside the Department with all the documents until such time as my family is afforded our human right to be heard and our human right to be treated fairly. They will try to turn it on me and make me appear a unreasonable parent and a rebel.

The system relies on nobody caring. I am hopeful that the internet will make it harder for the system to discredit and to defame and that the Public will not allow them to ignore us as our complaints are justified and warrant a proper and fair investigation. It should be our human right to be treated fairly

Jolanda…
Yes, sometimes people are looking for handouts (that’s the way we’ve educated them in this country – welfare state after all!) but there are many times when they just aren’t able to defeat entrenched corruption and nepotism. It truly does exist. I’ve seen/experienced it first hand. I agree that in Australia, as in the world at large (generally anyway), if one wants to succeed, then one can. However, the future of the ‘democracy’ is looking bleak and this expectation is fading.

You stated “The problem is that people from disadvantaged backgrounds need to find ways to be successful despite the system, they need to support each other.” Well, that’s the point isn’t it? How does one ‘be successful, despite the system’ when that is the systems job? No matter the effort, if your adversary has a distinct advantage, then it takes a level lower than theirs to defeat them. And I would hope that you would agree that ethics and morals are just as important as success? How does one defeat an unethical foe and maintain their own?

But fear not Jolanda. I agree that hard work, a thick skin and smarts can win - in time. I do however see the need to build conscience and ethics into our children, so the ‘system’ can be changed to produce a more ethical, honest and fair society. If you consider our society fair right now, then I will have to disagree on that point. Moreover, having read your Democracy site, I think (hope?) you just might agree?

Finally, yes problems and pressures are not limited to the poor. In addition, those problems are not all about money, assets, comfort. However, it is easier to deal with a problem when warm and fed.

Peace, honesty and compassion…
JustDan

JustDan. I totally agree that morals are more important than success. I also agree that those in power like to keep those below them in their place and that the majority of those in positions of power are corrupt or corruptable and they really dont care.

I don’t consider society fair, not one little bit!. The only way that the system can be changed is to expose the corruption and push for change.

You are right that having a warm home and food on the table certainly makes it easier to keep strong and not to succumb to mental illness or to turn to the dark side (as my young son calls it).

Jolanda one last blog re: the troubles you are having with the various authorities. (I became a little worried that I had thrown petrol on a fire). Please forgive if this sounds patronising. Please for you and your family's sake be careful not to give too much of yourself over to this problem. Children are fairly resilient, especially, if their mum and dad are there for them. Make sure you teach your children coping strategies. Bullying is a terrible abuse and does harm people.
I am not saying turn away from your endeavours - just be kind to yourself and keep a balance.
As Shakespeare put it:
"Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot,
That it do singe yourself

I have seen many people burn themselves out. Life is a very precious gift not to be wasted. You can martyr yourself in the name of justice or you can make sure you have your priorities in place and do your little bit. I like the idea of karma which says that every good deed no matter how insignificant raises the overall goodness in the world. (Doesn't mean i agree with you on certain things).
And if the outcome you achieve is not the best result - remember that it is not you who has failed - you can only control so much of the process - outcomes are often beyond our control, especially in a system that is not adhering to the principles of democracy and fairness.
One more thing: one of the problems of our society is that we seldom think of what we have but always what we lack (see Schopenhauer). As the old saying goes: " I got a ticket in Tatts, window shopping and back lane full of chance - what more could a boy want?" We have two education systems, parliamentary democracy and the possibilty to make things better for all of us. Take care. The one I love needs feeding.

If I wanted to minimise poverty and I was forced to choose between:-

a) St Vincent de Paul Society
b) Capitalism

then the latter would win without any doubt.

Of course they are not yet mutually exclusive