The problem starts with the parents, Individual. They mindlessly
pop out kids and then think that society will take care of them.

If they cared about their kids, they would see to it that they
received a proper education or skill that they can use for the rest
of their lives.

My mom once heard a mother advising her kids that they should just
go on the dole, like she and their father was.

Indy yabby and you have a point, but while some are over spending the problem in fact, if we have one is too many, are not spending.
The GFC wakened many,they bank and pay bills,not spending.
But it is true, and we need to focus on it, today skills are needed to get jobs that never existed in our youth.
We all have story's of our youth,carrying bags of spuds on our back or walking up ladders made of bagged flour to put our bag on top.
Today those jobs are done on pallets by machines.
Kids we once sent out in hob nailed boots now work behind a PC keyboard or answering phones.
We are not flooded with unemployment.
We are not in crisis, we may well be ,soon but not yet.
The economy is not dependent on Rechtub leaving the butcher shops.
Even that, long ago as I ran in and out of half the shops in Sydney to get the bones and fat.
No one saw future shops would be selling meat as it is today ready to cook and being told just how to do it.
Change is a positive more than not.

Yes, the tasks are now different way beyond our imagination just ten years ago. Thas why I am so strongly advocating a two-year non military national service program fro every 18 year old. Menial tasks are what's falling by the wayside & not because they're disappearing in this technological age. No, it's because the silly education policies are hammering education for education's sake & of course furthering the teachers interests. No matter how un-glamorous menial work is it is becoming increasingly important because no-one wants to do it. That's why the pay for such work is steadily rising.
I see it in our organisations where we have the admin staff outnumbering the hands-on trades by literally 10 to 1. Half the computers & fax machines & printers are just gathering dust, nothing is produced & bureaucratic protocol is reigning supreme. In all, it's a huge unnecessary expense for no value.
We need to take a good hard look at the road ahead & admit to ourselves that we're talking the wrong turn. The right turn is there for all to take but it's a steeper climb with less pay & people don't like that. I'm afraid the time has come where we simply don't have a choice.

No surprises in that response belly.

Yabby, skills are a huge problem, trouble is, young ones just can't see the Forrest for the trees.

If they can earn upwards of $50K without skills, simply by working what is considered, out of hours shifts, even though we demand a seven day society, why would they bother gaining skills, as it also means low wages while they train and, given many of their mates, who have chosen that path have lost their jobs, through no fault of their own, a low skilled, higher paying job is a bit like the old bird in the hand.

Wobbles, what about banking, manufacturing etc, are you suggesting they to have to change their ways.

So indi two years service.

So who pays to keep them, us!

We already have a situation of 12 piglets and only 10 tits to feed them.

Are you suggesting yet more welfare.

If it's not essential, people are not buying. A shock-wave went through the community, when America and Europe collapsed. And there may never be a recovery, consumer confidence went through the floor.
A medium to large shift in retail is predicted, as business repositions for the new economy, leaner, online, strip shopping has been on the edge for years, as people prefer the large malls, where you only have to park the car once.
Australian's want good wages, but don't want to buy local. So something has got to give.
Restructuring is taking place and will be for the better.

Shrill?

I dunno butcher you seem to actually be delighted. You have been desperate for the economy to tank for years as far as I can see. It's all part of the 'doin' the country a favour' 'small business is the backbone of the country' mentality you've got going there.

You feel nobody is grateful enough that you hire workers. Nothing in it for you I take it.

Oh they're killing small business! Why aren't they grateful for my altruistic employment of the plebs!

Meh. Leaves me cold.

It's the equivalent of an ageing rocker who is 'doin' it for the fans'.

Doom, gloom, I told you so, you should have appreciated me, you ingrates shoulda worked for peanuts, you'll be sorry I took my bat and ball and went home.

Seeya!

Tax dodging aspirationals will always try to be tax dodging aspirationals.

Nothing to fear.