For god's sake 579, workers, employers, mums, dads, kids & terrorists are entitled to nothing. Sweet Fanny Adams is what everyone is "entitled" to. I might make an exception, & say they are entitled to oxygen, but after that it is all at cost

This is why so many lefties hate Howard. He, the miserable bastard, started talking about responsibilities, rather than entitlements, & that really worries them.

No one is "entitled to anything they don't at least try to earn for themselves.

You'd really be in trouble in the islands. In PNG for example, not only is there no welfare, everyone has to pay a head tax. Every man woman & kid in any bush village owes their head tax. I have no idea of the punishment if they don't pay. I've never heard of it happening, so it must be pretty dire.

If villagers want their kids educated, they have to first build a teachers house, & a school house. Then, & only then can they expect to be allocated a teacher.

I can only employ anyone if their labour, along with my capital & expertise can earn more per hour than I pay them. Much more in fact, as the present on costs are running at about 60% on top of wages paid.

You seemingly think it is OK for businesses to fail, as long as the workers get a living. Doesn't sound too equitable to me.

Thank you, Hasbeen, for showing this "entitlement" thing its right place.

We are all in for a big shake up in coming years.
With decreasing tax revenues and falling GDP governments will be
cutting back on those "entitlements".
Generally, governments/states/councils will be providing less & less.
Just look at what is happening in the USA. They are further down that
track than Europe or us.
Just on the BBC a couple of nights ago was an item about infrastructure
in the US. The interstate highways are falling apart and even bridges
are falling down and many are unsafe.
Truck drivers are complaining that the state of the highways is
damaging their trucks.
A friend recently came back from the US and complained of the
roughness of the highways, so it is not just politics.
Some towns and districts are disbanding their police forces.
California has been tottering on the verge of bankruptcy for a couple
of years.

Now is definitely not the time to be asking for more.

Rechtub, have you considered, even once?
You may be wrong?
Even if Europe enters a bad depression.
Even if we are dragged in to it, even if our unemployment grows to ten percent.
Your picture of doom and gloom will never happen.
Is not happening now.
And want a laugh?
If Tony Abbott took over as PM tonight, and changed not a thing.
You would be prancing about.
Singing his praises!

Belly, it is not going to matter much who wins the next election.
Neither of them have a clue at what is going on.
I don't think the one politician who seems to understand the financial
system, Barnaby Joyce, is really aware of what lies behind it all.

They won't act until it hits them between the eyes.

There's that livable wage thing again 579. Just what is a livable wage?

You just don't get it, do you! Wages, like all expenses, MUST come from profits.

My wife and I spent the day (Sunday) at south bank. Three out of four flash restaurants closed. Why! Double time and a half wages, that's why.

Retail is only time and a half on Sunday, double time, or a day in lue for Monday, public holiday. That's crazy, why do they get a break and restaurants don't.

Belly, you can hold your head in the sand as long as you like, you can even share Mr Swans denial if you wish.

We are plummeting, jobs will go, confidence will be slashed yet again.

Advisors are saying, don't buy, don't invest.

As for 579 and his joy for Internet shopping, that to will come at a huge cost.

Governments are only ever reactive, not pro active, and that's the problem.

It's not really their fault, after all, we choose our leaders from the ones that the corporate world turned down, and that's a worry.

I now cut timber for a living and can make more than any Polly in less than 40 hrs per week.

579, all workers should be great full for their bosses willingness to take risks, not have your attitude of, it's my given right.

Believe me, we, the risk takers are having second thoughts, and that's something you shoukd all be very, very, worried about, because without us, you will have nothing.

Be warned.