Fred, you may say it's unfair that people can end up in disadvantaged situations through no fault of their own, and I absolutely agree with you, but how is it any fairer to take OTHERS for granted by laying the responsibility on them?

Enhancing "Social Relationships". Vern Hughes made this point with his comment on the article "Politic's and a Greener Future", also current on this forum. Please Read It.

In this context I believe we might consider the argument to be both political and economic whereby building "social relationships" could help bring focus back to; "Employment as a pathway to to Health" as in "Employment as a pathway to a Nations Sustainable Future".

Creating better culturally diverse pathways to employment I believe is key to building a successful nation of people - for now and the future. It may mean that we totally need to rethink the "idea" of work?

I feel Australia at present wastes much of its greatest and most innovative talent through cultural ignorance, by not making better use of its citizens, by negating the importance of intergating social, economic, political, cultural and ecological sustainable development policies that would help to engage people pro-actively in ground level activities of "capacity building".

We need to put a "human face" back into the commercial market equation. Capitalise on the "social capital" areas that help to glue people to networks through employment strategies based on micro-enterprise making, which target industry and trade through better community engagement, by localising the human resource priorities.

Good article Fred - I'll come back to this - it over the weekend.

Thank-You

Scout “I am concerned, Col, that you seem to blame people simply for being less successful than you. Why is that? You must have needed a shoulder to cry on at some point in your life.”

Concern yourself not, Scout.

I “blame” no one for anything. Why should I, there is no benefit to be gained for anyone from it.

That said, I neither accept that people who do little to maintain, let alone improve their lot in life, should be allowed to hold back those of us who have thought, planned and pursued, at out own expense (of time as much as money), to improve our circumstances because we see a work ethic as the “natural” way of being.

As for shoulders to cry on, there has been plenty of need for that at times but, ultimately, I prefer to provide the shoulder than use one (I suspect a bit of a “white knight” syndrome).

As for work to live. I am very uncompromising I work to live but I also expect to give back to what I do because it has been good to me, so my “work” is an integral part of who I am, rather than simply a separate source of money which funds my lifestyle. That said, like you I find consulting / contracting the more satisfying employment platform, rather than tie myself to the bronco bucking ride on the back of a monolithic management organisation.

Finally “Assertive and powerful” – thank you, such is available to all, we simply become how we expect to be treated.

Col

Thanks for your enlightening response. I wonder if you realize just how much you have revealed about your nature.

1. "I prefer to provide the shoulder than use one (I suspect a bit of a “white knight” syndrome)."

One thing that comes through very clearly in all your posts is you need to be in control. Now this can be in control of yourself, however the above statement reveals that you prefer to be in a position of power. One can be a 'white knight' because of circumstances or one can choose this position. Ayn Rand had some very interesting things to say about people who offer assistance to others. I know that she meant her observations to apply to the welfare workers but it applies to you also.

2."I neither accept that people who do little to maintain, let alone improve their lot in life, should be allowed to hold back those of us who have thought, planned and pursued,"

The people who do very little in life to improve their lot are in the minority. And just how do these bludgers hold us back anyway? They are small fry - I know this as I have worked in the welfare sector for over 20 years. The vast majority of people want autonomy and work towards that. However, bad luck, despite the best made plans can happen. Surely one of the reasons we have government is to ensure that those who do fall on bad times get a helping hand. I have had to use Centrelink payments and I am still struggling.

The reason I think you blame people for their misfortunes is when you state things like "faux compassion which oozes from every line of this leftie diatribe which would promote mediocrity in place of personal responsibility."

This is extremely judgemental. Definitely evidence of blame here.

To be continued....

Cont'd

3. "we simply become how we expect to be treated"

Or conversely we become how we are treated - as in give a dog a bad name....

Congratulations that you can live your life exactly how you want. Not everyone can. People make mistakes. People make mistakes or have circumstances that fulfill their own worst expectations. This is where doctors, psychologists - the healing professions are needed and (shock horror) welfare payments. Would you deny support to people like Stephen Hawking - he is very high maintenance but contributes a lot.

I just wish you could understand that what works for you doesn't necessarily work for others. As a woman, if I am merely assertive I am often (not always) taken for being either aggressive or even angry - and not just by men other women have very rigid ideas on how women 'should' behave - it is to their advantage if there are less women to compete with. That is just one example.

Interesting that from a self declared individualist you apply a one size fits all approach to humanity. We are social creatures, there are the individuals who forge ahead and create, there are those who like to follow and then there are those who believe in collaboration. The majority are just as deserving of respect as leaders and mavericks. And we need them - there is not enough room at the top for everyone, simple maths.

Finally, a lot is made of the cost of welfare. I would like to see some stats about the total $ spent in corporate subsidies (business welfare), the cost of corporate fraud and an analysis of the actual worth of CEO's to their companies. The CEO of the MacQuarie Bank earns $80,000 per day! If the bank can afford this then surely a liveable income for all low level employees should be well within a company's profit margins to pay.

I would be interested in your response Col

Cheers