"Today, thousands of volunteers are delivering Christmas hampers around Australia.

They are climbing the stairs to lonely bed-sits or stumbling along broken paths to overcrowded houses. The families they visit are living on the edge ..."

How could this possibly be in a Christian 'democracy' and 'rich country' such as ours?

"You’ve just been evicted because your rent has increased and now gobbles up over 40 per cent of your disposable income. You’ve just been told that your job no longer exists but that you can go on a contract. It’s 40 degrees, and the fridge has just died - you have no money, but you do have two hungry children. You’ve just been breached by Centrelink. These are the stories of the forgotten people, the blamed people. Over and over, though, we are told: “They have brought it on themselves.”

Evicted by whom? Ihncreased by Whom? Breached by Whom? Told by whom?

Why?

Who among us benefit or profit most from this appalling situation?

Why am I accused of being a 'communist' or worse by 'good people' in Vinnies and the many other burgeoning, instutionalised 'charities' when I question the pernicious system of such gross injustice and inequality (Capitalism) that marginalises and alienates so many decent Australians and millions worldwide?

Sowat asks : " Evicted by whom ?? Breached by whom "....It's no secret, sowat..

The current Government has a policy of " wiping out " the poor, disadvantaged and less strong. Every action of this Government is aimed at creating a massive wedge between haves and have-nots.There is no mercy given to anyone who cannot make the grade as subscribed to by Howard & Co. Anyone who falls short of the mark is to be vilified and earmarked for future eradication.

The fact that justice today is only available to those who can afford it is a general indication of the trend. Those with money can effectively derail justice by use of delays and tactics only available to those with the funds to do so. It's abhorrent; it's immoral, but it's perfectly alright if you have money.

I would love to be around in 50 -100 years time when oil and food are in short supply : let's see the rich ones eat their gold and million dollar paintings then.

It is good to see that those who are fighting everyday to help those in need, have to time to give hope and joy at christmas.

Also it is right that our pollies just remember who they are their to represent and it isnt the liberal/labor party's but the people.

So come on Australia it is time we sorted this buck passing and did something real.

Email:swulrich@bigpond.net.au
Australian Peoples Party

many times, especially at Christmas, I have been heartened by the efforts of the Vinnies, the Salvos, and all the other nameless ones who make a big effort to bring something to the needy. I have done it myself, and I know it did me more good than the good I did.

But the "system" is wrong that accumulates so much need and poverty.

Trouble is that other systems may well be wronger!

Whatever the polity we need kind hearts, sharers, people who find more joy in giving than receiving, to oil the works and lessen the burdens. But overall we to temper the self interest implicit in capitalism and human nature with the pleasure and security of community. Who are the "great", perhaps they are the ones who do good deeds quiety and unspokenly, rather than the often elected, or the ones who take lots of wickets, or sell a million records.

SOWAT... there is nothing wrong with questioning a system, but make sure your alternative actually works. You are only a commmunist if you follow Marx.

I strongly recommend you examine closely the social system of the ancient Israelites. (read the first 5 books of the Bible) you will find many strange things, including 'slavery' of an economic kind, but you will ALSO find something called a year of Jubilee, where all debts are cancelled. (each 7 yrs). You will also find that wealthy landowners were expected by divne decree NOT to harvest every skeric of grain, but were to leave some for the poor_and_alien_and_Fatherless to 'glean'.

I am a slave to the commonwealth bank in the same way many people were slaves in those days.. Most of what I do goes to pay the CBA for a mortgage. It takes 100% of my wifes pay and we try to live off mine.
Its not easy, but we are basically happy, even though living in our 7x9m shed with our 3 grown children.

Capitalism IS a flawed system. Responsible free enterprise is not.
Communism or even socialism is flawed because of the same problem faced by Capitalism 'Human Nature' and I have no apology for stating that it is because mankind is 'fallen' from Gods Grace that this is so.

To the extent that we allow the Christmas message to remind us that God DOES care, that He CAME in Jesus, and that his life ended tragically and painfully due TO that fallen nature we express each day, then to that extent we have a chance of social and personal renewal.

Christmas is a time of good will to all men yes, but it was not meant to be for a few days a year, rather for the whole of our lives.

Jesus said "I am the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep" He took a towel and washed his disciples feet, "As the father has sent me, SO I send you!" he said. Therein you will find the only answer to the problems you raise.

Boaz-David. You are obviously an okay, caring bloke. But, it is time for Christian theologies to let go of Christmas. I suspect that for most Australians Christmas is a time to think about giving as well as receiving, time to make a gesture or two in the direction of charity, and to rekindle a bit of hope for peace and reconciliation. I doubt very much that those annual reminders have much to do with the Christian message anymore. Once there were campaigns to put Christ back into Christmas and get rid of Santa Claus. I say, lets keep Father Christmas central to the festival and downplay all that stuff about virgin birth and incarnation of God. The true spirit of Christmas is Australian values.