Nasho 23, you make many valid points, but I am afraid that the
reality of the gravy train of Australian welfare, is starting to
come to a screeching halt.

Last time I checked, there were around 8 million sucking on the
welfare teat in one way or another, which is as many as taxpayers.

Any young girl who feels like getting up the stick and popping out
a few kids, can do so, taxpayers pick up the bill. Eventually
the old cow is going to run out of milk, with ever more sucking
on those teats.

So people will have to start helping themselves. Move to the
country, where rents are much lower. Grow a few veggies, run a few
chooks. Do some babysitting for cash. The Govt coffers are
empty I am afraid.

YappY, I am starting to get the impression that there is more people here than just I that would consider that what you "think" is reality is actually delusion.

Re your 2nd last post, I fail to comprehend your meaning in your opening rant about bush turkey and cheney.

Re kids - I am a 40yr old kid who recently lost my granny and had previously done a lot of paperwork for on line marker purchases to make her $AU50 left over from her fortnightly budget go further. She was fortunate enough to have her own home though at one point though.

I was also a teenager who did a lot of lugging for my other grandparents on the farm from there to where the purple crowned lorries fly. Your comments re child abuse are silly and would perhaps better be directed towards the liberal party and those involved with locking up children in the desert without trial or charge, contrary to expert medical advice. The fact that howard still walks freely among us on outrageous benefits and special super concessions is where the money is really going.

Now, in my spare time, I track down cheap go fares for an ex vietnam vet and his mates and contribute to making sure that they do not fall afoul of the indo legal system in matters of marriage, immigration etc. This is done for free, for a mate who even though he imbibes too much of the amber fluid, would otherwise find balancing the books too tuff.

Back to online markets, I hope for better home grown versions to arise - but EBay is good. Why not buy something 2nd hand from a local? Then maybe adventure out to an interstate import. Read the customs site. Don't import prohibited goods. Have a look at the aust post site. & then have a go at an international packet. It's all very secure with EBay and their dispute resolution mechanisms are very good outside postage costs.

Once u've become adept at these things and the whole process has been de-mystified and put on a nice chronological linear line, maybe advertise for an nternational student to do some part time work and have them take you past the language barrier whilst web surfing to where the international local economy prices are to be had.

I used to visit one of the retirement villages regularly, and there are to be sure some very switched on oldies amongst them.

Enterprise is often born of necessity and I have a heart for those singles pensioners on $500+ per fortnight and no home of their own.

Consider voting for other than blue or red.

To confirm what I was saying about some Pensioners, of all types, finding things difficult due to rising costs being a real concern.
In our own case, we have just received our House and Contents Insurance policy renewal, for a Premium of $844.
Years 2007 and 2008 were $717 & $723, respectively. How can a Premium increase of $121 be justified. AAMI stated they have had a BAD Year for claims and we just have to suffer it.
Our Council Rates are about to increase by 4.5% also, and so it goes on.
Many people in the Community do not concern themselves with the plight of the Pensioners, because they are somewhat better off and have never been confronted with the problems faced by Pensioners, living from day to day and having to worry over how they are going to manage to buy food and pay the bills.
People, in general, should start to care more, because, due to circumstances beyond their control, these people may well find themselves in the same position.

Nasho, I don't think its that people don't care, but the whole
baby boomer generation is fully aware that as more people retire,
there simply won't be enough Govt money available due to the change
in demographics, so the best to help ourselves are always ourselves.

A lot of oldies draw a pension, but also live in houses that are
now worth a small fortune in the inner suburbs. Do some of those
kids really need to inherit million $ homes? IMHO pensioners
should look after themvelves and their own wellbeing, first and
foremost.

Now I am aware that many cannot help themselves, but an awfull lot
can and so they should.

My view is that it is not justified either *Nasho*

Some of these so called "Fat Cats," played a not insignificant role in bringing the financial system down and yet you listen to some of them and the likes of their supporters like *YabbY* and they feel that it is their right to keep their salaries and perks over the top and all the while their insurance companies or banks have been virtually bankrupted and some of them have been. Consequently, they put their hands out for everyone else, the pensioners and the workers to pay for their excessive life styles and over inflated opinions of themselves.

Truth is, business is not rocket science and business people are mostly not rocket scientists, for want of a better term.

However, the culture in this place is for them as a collective to bleed the average folk until there's nothing left to have.

In a civilised society, at least by my definition, food, water, shelter, medicine and law are a right and accordingly need to be regulated such that it is readily abundant for all.

I have no problem with the fat cats paying full price but the pensioners should also be afforded these things.

Thereafter, my interest is with innovation and technology, because manufacture of "new" things first for the home market and then for export is what will bring big international money streams into this country for the potential benefit of all. Thus, I would not invest in incapable business people with a bad track record in current times, but rather in people with the talent to create.

Look at lawyers. They contribute very little new to society and really are just glorified administrators. And to look at the update of new technology in the courts and you could easily conclude as I have that these people are operating in the "dark ages" with their grossly time and paper wasting practices.