Wobbles “I suspect 2009 will be just another 12 months of opportunity for many to reinforce their prejudices and hatreds. Not willing to be part of a solution, they will simply remain part of the problem.”

Maybe wobbles has forgotten, we are still free to choose our prejudices

Some of us sincerely believe the product of too much government meddling is what crisis we now face

Some of us believe the ‘problem’ would not exist if governments stopped trying to direct the will of the electorate, who it is supposed to represent amd the solution is less government and more freedom of choice for the individual.

Things like first-time buyers bonus, grandstanding handouts to selected segments of the nation are examples of government largesse through extortion taxes.

If individuals were left with the money in their pocket to spend as they wished, the result would be more disposable income and more people working in real jobs generated by the electorate, rather than jobs for privileged car union members at the expense of the choices of the motoring public.

But as for opportunity… some see it and benefit, others are just blind.

I guess wobbles has told us he needs a white cane

Dear Cuphandle,

I hope that you're wrong in your rather
gloomy predictions.

This is just the beginning of the New Year,
give it a chance to develop.

I believe in our current Government, and in
their ability to govern for the country's good.
So, I'm more optimistic about our future.

I also have faith in the newly elected
American President. Things can only improve there.

As for the current military conflicts - hopefully,
these too will slowly be resolved by diplomatic
means, under the guidance of the more pragmatic
world leadership, such as Australia and the US.

Romany is to be Congratulated for her marvellous response.
And I fully agree, we need more positive thinking in
this world.

Now more than ever, at the beginning of this New Year 2009.

Romany:

I apologize if my statement of "Prediction" was contrary to your views, but unfortunately for us all I have based my predictions on past history on this planet, and I cannot envisage that we are likely to see even an infinitismal improvement in the current situation!

Yes!.....we should ALL be celebrating the birth of a New Year, but not for the reasons of joy and happiness, but for the simple fact that this planet has somehow miraculously managed to survive another year without totally destroying itself!

I have followed very carefully political history and the financial repercussions resulting from historical political events, and arrived at my predictions due to the fact that invariably any change that may occur, or be implemented across the planet generally, is in the long term and in the light of day a change for the worse!....Have a good look what we are doing to each other, look at what we are doing to the animals and our environment and then consider the fact that all over this planet men, women and children are being murdered, raped and tortured, then tell me that we have to accept this all with a smile on our face and pretend that "all is well!"....SORRY!

Col:

You asked me to explain how they can tax a person who is unemployed?....the answer is simple: Little Johnnie`s GST.

Stand by for another of my predictions,....that they will increase the rate of GST at the next Budget by up to 20%!

Cuphandle… “You asked me to explain how they can tax a person who is unemployed?....the answer is simple: Little Johnnie`s GST.”

Yes I realized after I had asked :- )

and also council rates, property taxes yep we have many taxes not based on income.

I was in favour of VAT when it was introduced into UK and so too GST. GST spreads the burden of tax across the consuming population, those who get only government handouts are taxed less from their limited means than those who earn their income from productive activity, which seems fair to me.

“Stand by for another of my predictions,....that they will increase the rate of GST at the next Budget by up to 20%!”

I doubt that, despite OEDC requests and if it did, income tax would be scrapped.

However, under the rules I believe and correct me if I am wrong, it requires the unanimous support of all the states and whilst West Australia is a non-socialist state, hopefully to be adjoined by other centers of sanity in the near future, the rate will remain 10% - although who knows what model the KRudd & Co will choose for their carbon trading tax,

I always remember Margaret Thatcher’s opinion to taxation and government meddling…

“The larger the slice taken by government, the smaller the cake available for everyone."

She was spot on the money there.
Who really “appreciates” the “largesse” of government, when no one understands the nature of bureaucrats and the powerful manipulations which go on behind closed doors, compared to spending those extorted tax monies on whatever we wished and needed?

I also disagreed with a few more of your predictions Cuphandle, hopefully we can debate those points to

Cuphandle – I see no reason for you to apologise to me. And I take no issue with your predictions.

You are entirely correct in pointing out that this year is going to be tough and I’m sure that your analysis is sound. This was, in fact, the very reason I posted as I did.

Many people are facing this year in trepidation that it will contain a downward spiral – for those balanced on the cusp this could prove disastrous. They are scared.

For some this will provide great opportunities – so for them my posts are meaningless Pollyanna-babble. Of course I realize this.

However, some people are going to have to do more than simply tighten their belts – they’re going to lose them. Some who hit rock bottom dash themselves to pieces on those rocks and never recover. Even a small drop defeats others.

Many people live in a milieu where social standing is of great importance: what they have defines who they are. This is a societal truism whether one agrees with it or not. So for many people facing 2009 the fear is not just that they will face a drop in living standards, but their entire identity and standing in the community will change. That can be terrifying.

Another frightening aspect of impending downward change is that people do not respect those who are poor. Another social truism and one that many hesitate to voice. Lack of societal respect leads to lack of self-respect and it is at this point that you hear of people jumping out of windows or biting bullets.

Anticipation is the worst: stage fright, battle fright, exam nerves. So my post was merely intended as a boost to the human spirit which, amazingly, is so much more resilient than we realize.

I am a pragmatist who clearly sees what we have made of our world. It is precisely for this reason I rejoice that we have made it through thus far and been granted the dawn of another year

Romany
Excellent post.