Ok Foxy & Belly,
So what do you think about the massive debt incurred under Labor ? Do I assume that's alright in your books for you've made no reference to it in your reply. Exactly what funding has been cut to hospitals under the coalition ? Ambulance ? Isn't that a subscription setup ? What cuts have been made to ambulance services ? A litany of cut backs ? How many cutbacks & where ?
We know the home insulation scheme & the school debacle has cost us more than all other stuff ups by the coalition & that's a fact.
Foxy so fars as your condescending "oh Dear" goes I can only repeat myself by saying "those with no retort resort to ridicule" . Not flattering I know but neither is Oh Dear. Belly you've finally confirmed my long standing suspicion that you were a Public Servant. That explains everything.

Dear Individual,

Many a man thinks himself extremely sensitive
simply because he's easily put out.

There, is that any better than my saying,
"Oh Dear?"

I seriously meant it only as an expression - not
as a form of ridicule. Perhaps the problem may be
within you?
(Just a thought).

Anyway, you should realise that whilst a government
has been accumulating a surplus, it's been doing it
at somebody's expense -
federal infrastructure has been neglected.
But don't take my word for it - do your own research -
especially on Tony Abbott as health minister. It's
there on record.

As for Labor spending the surplus?
We're lucky their quick action saved this country from
going down the gurgler - you may recall the global
financial crisis?

Anyway, don't feel bad - you'll have a chance in three
years time to vote again.

Until then, give the current government a chance to do
their job. After all Howard was given four three year
terms. It's only fair.

I do not take either meal breaks or coffee breaks over 18 years working Rechtub, although see your point about people taking a break around the time of an emergency not adequately staffed.

Interesting topic this one.

Approximately 15 years ago a public servant could have found a couple of spare minutes to make themselves a coffee or chat for a couple of minutes. Similarly, people working in private enterprise.

Not today.

Most people I work with and around have never had the luxury to sip a coffee during their work day, let alone take a half hour break to put a sandwich in their mouths.

Yet, the half hour is subtracted from our wages as part of either certified agreements or by agencies and the law.

With the '.30mins and/or .60mins' break I am forced to state or have subtracted from my wages/income; these amounts would add up to a tidy sum annually. One day I may just submit a claim for all the months worked not able to take a break of .30mins in which I am never paid.

Given deadlines and always doing another person's job on top of my own, breaks are always out of the question.

How lovely would it be to walk out into the sunshine at 'lunch time'!

Rechtub, I wish to add that I work in both public service environments and private enterprise environments.

I do not see people taking breaks that they are entitled by law to take and the half hour and one hour 'break' is deducted from their wages.

A few in each place may take the odd break; not many trust me.

Indy you are aware I am not talking politics here, at least for a while.
You know,I have asked you, I do not want this thread diverted.
This morning I noted a mild flaming change had seen a post ,part of it diverted.
I read that post before it was deleted, it flamed me my party my whole lifetime of thinking.
A great number of us, me too are letting politics make us forget civility and of more importance honesty.
You have never not ever debated me, you thrust a silly question like that,a bait meant only to provoke, you know my answer you know the international monetary fund agrees we avoided a recession by Labors spending.
We are better placed than any country in the western world for having done it.
Both past Labor and Liberal governments put us on this firm footing, Labor as you are ALWAYS only too willing to remind me,got a great deal wrong in the past 2 years.
Continued.

Tony Abbott with great help from the gang of 4 special note to Kevin Rudd , honors to Gillard for outstanding effort in self promotion, has done very well.
His policy,the single one, is confrontation and fear, it worked.
20% of this country's voters are uninformed but like to stampede.
Here,can I be honest? in OLO I truly think Abbott and Pyne post.
I see the stampede theory again and again the my side or nothing policy's destruction.
You mate do not want open debate you want to wreck.
Some truths.
ETS Gillard ,never trust her,killed it BUT you understand things have changed if today your mob was in the chair you would be talking to the greens and independents.
To try to pretend you would not have your arm up your back as Labor has is a lie.
And say I am wrong,tell me again how we did not win the 2 party preffered.
more Australians voted for Labor that way than your mob.
I see interviewers who ask questions that can only be answered In a way that feeds confrontation , not truth.
Labor remember got those ex NATS BECAUSE the nats have NEVER said our votes help the Bush or we leave ,those two ex nats insisted we debate climate change hate me if you wish.
But unmask, I have tell us who you are why you use slander tell me why the free flowing diatribe against Labor is ruining this site why not one of you are concerned with anything your side is doing? weak that is my view of those who fail to take up my challenge.
continued