Lexi,

Of course he feels that Australia should tear up any agreements it's signed. That would be in keeping with our generally insular, fearful and thoroughly cosseted mindset.

Isn't it funny, we don't have enough to care for our own, yet you lot would happily open our doors to these people, without limitations.

rehctub,

You can stop the crocodile tears..."care for our own"....you're the one who consistently rails against government money going to those who might require some "care".

("The more tax one pays throughout their working life, the higher the pension they should receive.")

Dear Poirot,

As I wrote on the "un-Australian" thread.
It's often been said that the great obstacle in the
way of changing things in this country is the
conservatism of the Australian people. That may be
partly true however, I feel strongly that rather it's
been the politicians who, through their conduct and
language, have tended to politicise reforms so that
voters are unable to make balanced assessments of the
issues. The issue of asylum seekers as we know has been
politicised well and truly (as has carbon pricing et
cetera). We need a major shift in values and a belief
in our ability to take big steps.

Dear rehctub,

I agree with Poirot. You've always advocated that
"welfare is bad for business." Your view has always
been, people either sink or swim. And if they sink,
well that's too bad. Therefore your sudden concern
for social equity, compassion and the idea of an
egalitarian society - comes as a pleasant surprise.
Perhaps you're having a re-think on other issues as
well. One can only hope.

Dear rehctub,

What do you recommend Australia do with the asylum seekers? Starve them or shoot them?

What do you recommend Australia do with the international agreements that it's signed? Ignore them?

You are painting detention centres as places of luxury. They aren't. Apparently some inmates have even become mentally ill as a result of being locked up in one. Neither Canada nor the United States feels it necessary to put undocumented aliens in detention centres, and the US has millions. The government and opposition have succeeded in creating paranoia about the boat people.

Meanwhile we are destroying the environment making the land unfit by fracking, getting rid of jobs by turning workers into casuals with the insecurity that status brings, not taking adequate care of old people and not having adequate public schools. We have real problems which we can try to solve.

Meanwhile, you apparently are upset because the government feeds people and provides them with beds in the detention centres. How terrible!