under both Labor and Liberal.
Antiseptic,
Yes, neither has the gonads to change the insidious tax system. Can anyone explain that it isn't the tax that is the main stifling tool in Australia's economy ?

It's more that Trotskyite feminism acts as a pawl on a rachet: any change to policy that results in either more handouts for low-paid women or more power for elite women becomes locked in and no politically palatable way can be found to remove the more egregious examples.

Moreover, thanks to the fact that women comprise nearly 51% of the voting population and they tend to vote specifically on "women's issues" or "family issues" ("family issues" is code for welfare handouts to mothers, while "women's issues" is code for more power to political and business women).

Very few people can resist being told they're "special" and as a result they will get special treatment. The whole feminist agenda has been about giving women choices that have to be paid for by men's work, but where it was once a personal interaction between a man and a woman, now it's mandated and mediated by the State. Smart capital has naturally exploited that, while women like Lexi try to convince themselves it's what they want.

Once the rent-seeking mining money runs out we'll be just as deep in the poo as Greece and the US. Possibly deeper, since none of our Govrnments seems to have the courage to put aside more than a tiny portion of national income against future need. Howard tried and now Gillard is raiding his creation. Keating tried to make individuals responsible for doing so with super, rather than making the tough decision to do it by reducing government spending.

The crunch is going to be very tough when it comes.

Dear Antiseptic,

Just letting you know that I've been made a grandmother
again -
as of 4am this morning. My daughter-in-law gave birth
to a baby boy. It's their second child. And they haven't
had a need to ask for any welfare payments or government
support.

Your continuing rants about feminism, et cetera - to me
are just that - rants. So I'll leave you to it. Frankly
you live in a different world to me.

Congratulations to you and your family, Lexi. I'm sure you're a wonderful grandmother.

Lexi:"they haven't
had a need to ask for any welfare payments or government
support. "

No Family Tax Benefit? No paid maternal leave? No child care subsidy?

I don't think you're thinking about things too clearly. Which might explain why you "live in a different world".

I do resent your use of the term "rants", as well. I always base my posts on logical reasoning and try to present some supporting argument or data. You rarely respond with anything but personal anecdote and avoid engaging with the broader topic.

I should also point out that I somehow managed to truncate my second paragraph above. Such is life.

Dear Antiseptic,

As far as I know they did not ask for nor get
any payments from the government. As for paid
maternity leave. No. she's an architect - and
she took a leave of absence - it's a small
company.

As for my not engaging in the broader topic
with you - frankly I tend to do that when I
actually don't see the point in broadening
the discussion.
You may not realise it - but often your
remarks when dealing with females - come across
as put-downs and that immediately makes me lose
interest. I notice that you seem to respect the
opinions of the guys far more. That's why I tend to
give you anecdotal stuff- I suppose to try to win you over
with - "I'm not like that." A weakness, I know.
I am trying to
understand why you've got such a strong negative
view of women.

Anyway, Thanks for your congratulations. I love
being a glam mum, sorry, gran mum.
Now off to make lunch.

Lexi, the PPL scheme is paid for by the govt

http://www.familyassist.gov.au/payments/family-assistance-payments/paid-parental-leave-scheme/

So, presuming she doesn't earn more than $150,000 a year, she's going to be likely to claim. She'll also get Family Tax Benefit, and she'll be eligible for a significant childcare subsidy.

None of those things were required when women weren't required to work if they didn't want to.

Lexi:"you've got such a strong negative
view of women. "

I'm not going to repeat the whole disclaimer business. If you think that, go right ahead and think it. It doesn't make it true, of course. Speaking for myself, I'm more interestedint the defensiveness you exhibit at the suggestion that feminism is basically an enabling technology for corporatism, rather than the fluffy, fuzzy vision that you prefer to see