We may be looking at large scale problems to be resolved, but the answer lies locally.

While husbands and wives seek divorce and family members wish others dead the problems of world peace will continue. It is a symptom of pride, prejudice and hatred. The private lives of people are in conflict, are not stable or content so the personal war even as the national conflicts will continue.

Acceptance, understanding, forgivness, reconciliation and peace are illusive without ones endeavour to live with divine vision. While families fight among themselves selfisness permiates society. We have established centers for family conflict but it has become an employment industry rather than an answer. lOVE IS THE ANSWER!

Perhaps I do tend to look at life
through rose-coloured glasses.
Although heaven knows I can blow a fuse
like the rest when the right buttons
are pushed. I still believe however that
most people are basically decent and good.
And that in this country, we really should
count our blessings because we're darn lucky!

I'm proud of this country, and of its achievmeents.
We've come a very long way... And we've still got
a long way to go.
Sure we've made mistakes - but that's life.
However, we're still thriving. I live in Melbourne,
and I love it. I love the people, the greenery,
the theatres, the parks, the botanical gardens,
the wide streets, the local communities, the
Dandenong Ranges, the Yarra Valley, and the list
goes on. Our regional libraries are among the
best in the country. Our hospitals are great.
What else can I say? I work, pay taxes, contribute
to the community, look after my two elderly mothers,
my family, and the future for me looks bright.

Perhaps I need a change of attitude, I don't know.
I only know that I wouldn't live any where else.
And if I make the rest of you want to puke, well
then I'm sorry. But that's just me!

I would like to think that my grandchildren will receive the same blessings from God that I have. I would like to think they could marvel and be thankful to their Creator for such a beautiful country, such an abundance of food and good friends. I would like to think my grandchildren will grow up with their parents willing to be faithful to each other in order to provide a stable home life. Ultimately I would hope and pray my grandchildren choose heaven rather than hell.

Dear Foxy,

I'm sick of all the politics as well. I used to have have quite an interest in government, but lately it all seems so much blah blah blah - all of a sudden I feel like my vote is worthless - disenchanted with Kev and Julia and wouldn't vote for Abbott as well - I can't remember feeling like this before. Maybe I'll vote informally and perhaps write a witty limerick for the occasion, who knows

Don't ever feel that you have to defend your basic values - you are one of the most balanced and reasonable people I have come across - more power to ya!

Most of the problems that we experience nowadays are caused by excessive expansion and growth. The whole planet is just becoming too crowded and I would gladly forgo so called "high living standards" for more space, more fresh air, a continued bio diversity, more water, more fish in the sea, and a slower pace because all these things and more are affecting our social cohesiveness, our health and our happiness. Politicians are only the mouthpieces of the electorate and pander to what they think they want to hear before the next election.

It seems that every country in the world is committed to expansion in the pursuit of more money and that new must-have gadget advertised on TV.
The whole world must stop sometime, yet we are continually being exhorted to get bigger and bigger. To what ends in this throw-away society ?

Dear Poirot,

Thanks for your kind words.
Friends of my mother went back to Lithuania
to live after the country got her independence
from the Soviet Union in the 1990s. Well guess
what, they lasted quite a few years but they're
returning back to OZ at the end of this month.
Why? Because they're now approaching pension
age and medicine and pharmaceuticals are so
expensive in Lithuania, and pensions are pathetic.

I don't think many people realize how lucky we
are with Medicare in this country. And the cost
of tablets are neligible compared to other
countries. Pensioners are especially well provided
for, certainly according to people who've lived
else where in the world.

Another thing that these people missed greatly
about Australia was the sense of potential and
openess that so many people enjoy on coming here.
They claim that they didn't quite appreciate what
they had, but now feel privileged that they are
able to return and make a home here once again.