Paul, I am amazed at your ability to see what you want to see and nothing else. I don't doubt that you may be in a lower socioeconomic level than most Australians. For that I sympathise.
But what those of us who know the difference are saying is, that with all the riches and resources of this country, we should ALL be better off. We are not.
People like me have witnessed the corruption in govt. The dirty deals they do. Selling off utilities to their mates and then the bastards tell us we have some of the cheapest power in the world as if we should be greatful, and at the same time expecting us to take it and leave them alone without question.
You want proof of how slimy these pricks are? Last week they rushed a bill through while there was barely five or six senators sitting. This 'bill' gives the banks power to remove funds from depositors accounts. Yours and mine, should they choose. Why? Because the pigs I have been warning everyone about, the elite, run by the banks,and who owns the banks? Believe that the big four here in Australia, AKA, too big to fail banks, must not be allowed to fail.
The bill is one which the USA had installed back in the thirties and a later President reversed it, letting the banks speculate with our money.
The bill was known as 'Glass-Steagall'. Look it up. This concerns every Australian.
My words may sound like whinging and whining to you. If you knew better you would agree rather than mock.

"I don't doubt that you may be in a lower socioeconomic level than most Australians. For that I sympathise."

Yes I'm doing it tough my friend. Own a house in the inner burbs of Sydney, own a car, debt free, pay tax, tripping around Oz or O/S at least twice a year, work a little part time and have since the age of 55, my partner also works, money in the "bank". Never touched my supa, finance my kids. To give you an idea how tough I have done it, worked in the 90's as an engineer on a salary of around $50k pa. ran my own successful business for several years as well.
Yes I have to admit I'm a long way behind Happy Harry T, and Gina Rhinoceros. I'm sorry for you if you now find yourself in the gutter after tasting the fruits of the dizzy heights.

My problem is I've always had a social conscience, more concerned about those that have nothing, than those who have something and want more. What you say about banks and government and sleaze is true, but since I'm in the back end of my life, and doing what I want, I'm not loosing any sleep over it.

ALTRAV,

You can't have it both ways. If you're going to live and operate in a Capitalists society which is subjected to the economic volatility of the markets, then you have to be prepared to service that system when the demands are made. In our economy if the big four banks were failing then the Australian economy, and probably the world economy, would be so stuffed that even if you had all your dosh in your mattress it wouldn't be of much use.
When Capitalism fails, you don't think you are going to get off Scott free do you? Maybe you do think so.

I don't believe any of you good people here would deny we badly lack decent leadership. What do we have - A Prime Minster who claims he's a Liberal but in reality is a Labourite. And an Opposition Leader who dances exclusively to the tune of Union 'Pipers'.

For months we've allowed ourselves to be bogged down in matters of little consequence, to the effective running of our country. Whether it's dual citizenship, or a bit of 'hanky panky' whatever? Our politicians' sworn duty is to govern this country, to the best of their ability.

Many of you as do I, lament the days of old. Well they're gone, and never likely to return. We still undeniably live in the best Country on earth, devoid and (generally) insulated from wars, complete economic insolvency, widespread famine, and pandemic disease - how long this will last, who knows?

Everyone on this Site has stated the unequivocal truth of what ails this nation. Are we declining, indeed we are in many areas - is this decline stoppable - yes, but only at the ballot box, where we the electorate for once, possess all the power to encourage no, 'direct' our politicians to change the direction of this country altogether, or else!

Provided of course we have the will and gumption to do so. Somehow, I don't think so. As a consequence of the absolute adulteration of our culture, I suspect it won't happen, as many of our traditional core values have diametrically shifted from that, which we've always held dear. Of course again orchestrated by our political leaders.

Sure, we live in the best country on earth, but we won't for much longer if we don't get better politicians, and fewer people coming here to muck it up. Mass immigration was appropriate in the 20th. Century, just after WW2. It is totally inappropriate now.

And you're spot on TTBN when you complain of mass immigration; essentially from the wrong areas. It's been many of these refugees/immigrants that's dislocated our culture. By importing and introducing, customs and ways that hitherto would be considered an anathema in our times, and in this country. Just seek out any copper of my era, and ask?