Dear Yabby,

I can see that it's no use discussing this
with you any further. We totally see things
differently. I don't want you to agree with
me - and I don't agree with you. And that's
what forms politics - and parties.

Yours is the concept of money and power-
which Peter Costello and his Party promoted.
It's the ideology of greed, which leaves
no room for social equity, compassion or the
idea of an egalitarian society.

Peter Costello believed (like you) that people either
sink or swim, and if they sink, well that's too bad.
Because as you tried to point out in your previous
post welfare is not good for business.

You quoted Jeff Kennett - he totally destroyed the
hospital system, sold schools to developers for profit,
destroyed the country railway links (it's costing millions
for the current Government to replace the more important
links), changed planning
laws to irrational development, destroyed the green-belt
system, introduced the "Grand Prix,' that to this day is
an ever increasing drain on the State finances, sold off State
run Services - resulting in an increase cost to property
owners, and was a general disaster for the State of Victoria.
And, recently tried to screw-up the Hawthorn football Club.

Thanks for you contribution to this thread - see you
on the next one.

PS: If we stopped giving our politicians such huge payouts
on their retirement from Parliament - and let them live on
more equitable pensions like the rest of society - then
perhaps that may solve the problem of equity.

*It's the ideology of greed, which leaves
no room for social equity, compassion or the
idea of an egalitarian society.*

Rubbish. Social equity is about equality of
opportunity. Some grab that opportunity,
some don't. We are responsible for our
actions.

Anyone in Australia can choose to educate themselves.
People are provided health care, nobody starves,
anyone can borrow money, start a business and follow
their dreams.

But not everyone has the same goals in life. Foxy
wanted to be a mother and a wife. Steve Jobs, who
founded Apple, was in fact an orphan, adopted by working
class parents. He nearly landed up in jail! He fiddled
with electronic gear in his bedroom and built his first
computer. Apple was born. Next came the Mac, then the Ipod,
then the Iphone. Steve Jobs was paid 1$ a year by Apple.

Do you really think he did it for greed or passion?

The list goes on.

An equitable and egalitarian society is a fair society,
not one which all are rewarded the same, no matter
the difference in effort. For that is certainly
not equitable.

I am for an equitable society, where people are
responsible for their actions and choices.

Greed has nothing to do with it.

Dear Yabby,

What is being suggested is that a
humane society takes care of the ones who are
unable to take care of themselves. Not one
that only allows benefits for the rich. We don't
all have the same opportunities - it isn't a level
playing field out there - as you well know - because
I think that you're an intelligent man - and
what you're doing now - is simply stirring. I know
that you fully understand the points that I'm
trying to make - so I'm not going to bother
producing any further explanations. For me this
thread has run its course.

But before I leave - your reference to Foxy as
a wife and mother - is somewhat narrow. Foxy
also has a profession that she absolutely loves,
and in which she has worked full time - for most of
her adult life. She's managed (as have many women)
to combine a full time career with a marriage and
family.

Again, Thanks for your contributions to this thread -
But I'm - "Off like a Flash!
(as the nightlight said to the nightdress)."

*and
what you're doing now - is simply stirring. I know
that you fully understand the points that I'm
trying to make*

I certainly do know and I think that your ideology
is flawed, that is all.

Firstly I don't suffer from envy. If others are
richer then I am, so what? I don't need huge
wealth to be happy and content in life. Some measure
their success by it, that is their thing, not my thing.

Secondly, you are not going to enrichen the poor,
by dragging down the rich. For a start, look at the
statistics. There are in fact very few seriously rich
people in Australia. They already pay huge amounts
of tax, employ heaps of people. Try to screw them too
much, they will simply leave, or rearange their tax affairs.
We need them more then they need us. Do not kid yourself.
The rich have a sense of justice too. Try and screw them
and they have other options. It has never worked anywhere
and never will.

In Australia today, young people have far more opportunities
then ever before. Far more then we ever had at that age.
Their biggest disadvantage is their parents, many of whom
brought them up to expect life on a plate. The best person
to provide for oneself is oneself.

If you really want to help the poor, so shut down the pokies.
For it is the poor who can't help themselves and throw
billions of $ down those machines, then complain when they
have no money.

Steve Jobs had less opportunities then you did in life.
He didn't even have parents. The man has all sorts of
character problems, yet he made the best of what he did
have. You could learn something from that and so could
others, who expect life on a plate.

It was really rough adversity in my life which taught
me so much, not easy times. But I survived, learnt how
to cope with these things, learnt from those experiences
and moved on to fullfill my dreams. Its character building.

Dear Yabby,

Thank You for sharing so much with me.
I didn't have life on a plate either.
I worked for everything I have - and
life has also thrown me some pretty
tough curve balls at times. But I coped.
And, as you point out - it's character
building ( you sound like my mum here).
At least that's what they keep telling me.
Although at times - I wouldn't have
minded having a bit less 'character.'

Yabster, you've always been more than fair
in your dealings with me - and if I haven't
said it earlier - I'll say it now -
Thank You.

Take care.