ON DEMOCRACY AND MINORITIES

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I have read or heard it said (I can not remember which), you judge a democracy by the way it treats its minorities.

That is surely an important indication. A country that ignores its minorities and their aspirations is lacking in the fundamentals that go to make up a democracy: social equality.

If we leave our minorities on the wayside of mainstream Australia because we cannot tolerate their differences, then I believe we are heading for trouble. An intolerant society is a non-democratic society and a non-democratic society is a stimulus for radicalism and revolt.

That is not the sort of Australia I would like to see evolve over the coming years. Of course we need to be pragmatic and not open the flood gates to immigrants during periods of economic difficulties.

But we should not discard our sense of values and turn a blind eye to the plight of the rest of humanity. We should do our part and help if we can.

We have not done too badly so far but there is still a fairly large margin for improvement. It will take another few years for Australia to become a republic and, no doubt, it will be a few more years after that before we elect a non-indigenous president.

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ON DEMOCRACY AND MINORITIES (CONTINUED)

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In my previous post, instead of “a non-indigenous president” please read “an indigenous president”.

It was not my intention to suggest that the first president of the republic may be an indigenous Australian.

Sorry, it was just a lapsus.

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Dear Banjo Patterson,

I couldn't agree with you more. A country is judged by the way
it treats its minorities.

I've been reading all the posts on this thread and it's
evident there's a wide diversity of opinion. However, I still
feel that most Australians are willing to give others a 'fair go,'
and are more than willing to help those in need. Look at the
way everyone rallies in times of crisis.

Regarding Australia Day - let Australia decide. Let's have a vote
on it. Because ultimately that's going to happen anyway regarding
the question of the Republic (sometime down the road), include
Australia Day in that equation.

I personally don't have a problem with celebrating white settlement
of this country - it's part of our history. And as I said in my
previous post - Perhaps the day that we become a Republic could be
re-named to Australia Day. Anyway, one way or another - let the
country decide.

Foxy “The size of the Aboriginal population is given as 2.4%”

I used a number which came from a study by Monash University,
Either way and not bothering to split hairs… the difference between your number and mine is both “insignificant” and “immaterial”, a bit like the contribution to GDP of the aboriginal community.

“Our Indigenous population has never had equality in this country”

Oh I agree,

That is the problem, they are the beneficiaries of entitlements from the common purse far in excess of those available to other Australians.

Kirby had a vested interest in one “minority group”, which might well have skewed his perception.

“"In a country of the 'Fair Go All Round,' injustice and inequality among its citizens needs to be cured, promptly."

Like I said before “they are the beneficiaries of entitlements from the common purse far in excess of those available to other Australians”

Hardly “Fair” and definitely not “All Round”

(Doubtless Kirby would have disagreed with me but what should one expect from the name sake of a vacuum cleaner?)

Grim “Col Rouge, in my experience, blackfellas are at least as pragmatic as you are; probably more.”
Then they should understand why they should be treated the same as everyone else, ie without added benefits.

Banjo “social equality.”

Margaret Thatcher observed (now repeating more frequently than I would wish)

“"When all the objectives of government include the achievement of equality - other than equality before the law - that government poses a threat to liberty."”

indigenous president… let he or she stand on the strength of their own merit.

But when that day comes, I trust we will have all moved on from the point where he or she was elected because they were “indigenous”.

And how many generations of fore-bearers does one have to have born in Australia before one qualifies as “indigenous”?

I need to know so I can explain to my grandchildren why they are not entitled to some of the handouts being thrown at some minorities in the community, by the "Commonwealth".

Col Rouge, I feel even more sure now that you could easily be part of not only the Master Race, but better still, the Klu Klux Klan.

Keep on having fun, Col.

Not sorry I can't be with you, Cobber.

Cheers, BB, Buntine, WA.

PS. Still call Buntine my home town, but because it was mostly only a bush railway town, only pleasant romantic memories remain.

"That is the problem, they are the beneficiaries of entitlements from the common purse far in excess of those available to other Australians."

Oh?

Can you name at least 1?