Thread: What is the point

Originally Posted by derpomz

I started something and now will respond.

I came here from the old dart in 1970, having been born in 1948.

This is NOT meant to be against race. religion or sexuality. The reason i left the UK was because other religions were starting to influence the political landscape and i will go no further on this subject, but i think you know what i mean.
When we arrived we thought this place was paradise. The jobs ads in the papers were about 2 inches thick. Crime and drugs were not such an issues. i should kown as i am retired Policeman after 32 years service.

The changes i have seen shock me to the core. Gone are the days when Polies listened and also the courts. There is just this wilfull spite developing between Australians and its not right. Why is there so much anger around. Kids have always had an eye on the grog, but not like today. You could say things that today you can get locked up for, whats happening. The use of the American language is creeping so much it makes my groin itch.

Kids today seem to have lost something, but who do you blame and why do you want somebody to blame, is it the parents, the schools, who have lost the plot, i wish i knew the answer. What i do see is lack of regard for anybody and anything.

There i have vented again.

Almost exactly what my Father said. He was disgusted the way modern Australia was going. I know this much, In country Qld, there is still respect , in the areas I have been, at least, for doing the right thing. Respect of other people. It seems, the smaller the community, the more self regulating it tends to be. The further you get from the big cities, the better it is, With the exception of some of our indigenous communities, but that is a different problem. Don't despair, there are still good people here, but unfortunately, not in Canberra, Bob

Firstly let me say, people love to have a whinge. Some people would whinge while having sex. I reckon things are way better now than say, 50 years ago. The crime rate is actually lower, the death rate from car accidents is lower, people live longer, almost everyone has an inside toilet...that's a good one..., the general level of wealth is way higher. I'm ordinary and I own 3 cars. My parents could barely afford one until they were pretty old. Overseas travel is very common because people can afford it. The standard of education is higher. Women have opportunities now. Indigenous people have representation...hell they are allowed to vote. They couldn't do that 50 years ago. I don't know what bull**** Australia the whingers have been living in before because it doesn't stand up to actual facts in my opinion.

Originally Posted by mikehzz

Firstly let me say, people love to have a whinge. Some people would whinge while having sex. I reckon things are way better now than say, 50 years ago. The crime rate is actually lower, the death rate from car accidents is lower, people live longer, almost everyone has an inside toilet...that's a good one..., the general level of wealth is way higher. I'm ordinary and I own 3 cars. My parents could barely afford one until they were pretty old. Overseas travel is very common because people can afford it. The standard of education is higher. Women have opportunities now. Indigenous people have representation...hell they are allowed to vote. They couldn't do that 50 years ago. I don't know what bull**** Australia the whingers have been living in before because it doesn't stand up to actual facts in my opinion.

None of the above has any relevance to the facts. Years ago, no doors were locked. There wasn't a massive drug problem. People couldn't see the sense in having 3 cars, one was enough, and while we are on that, quality of life wasn't measured by how many possessions a person had. Ask an indigenous person if they feel privileged to live in the townships set up for them by those who knew best. 50 years ago, I was 16. I dispute your assertion . And, " hell, they are allowed to vote", just about says it all, for you. Bob

I'm a relative newby to this glorious country, having come from Europe, and I know that even tho people didn't always agree on what had been decided etc, they got on with it and that was that.. Here on the other hand, I've never seen such a farce in parliament... Day in and day out seems to be spent throwing crap at the opposition... and they seem to have no idea with reality. There's so many issues (migration, import, export, prospects, economy, services etc etc) that need dealing with... and quickly. If it does not happen, this glorious country will no longer be as you remember it... Christmas will not be celebrated in certain areas, its heritage will disappear, its history is in places, the locals will really be struggling for work.. I only hope that someone high up wakes up and sees what's actually happening here!! Australia, look after yourself.... Number 1!!

Originally Posted by mikehzz

Firstly let me say, people love to have a whinge. Some people would whinge while having sex. I reckon things are way better now than say, 50 years ago. The crime rate is actually lower, the death rate from car accidents is lower, people live longer, almost everyone has an inside toilet...that's a good one..., the general level of wealth is way higher. I'm ordinary and I own 3 cars. My parents could barely afford one until they were pretty old. Overseas travel is very common because people can afford it. The standard of education is higher. Women have opportunities now. Indigenous people have representation...hell they are allowed to vote. They couldn't do that 50 years ago. I don't know what bull**** Australia the whingers have been living in before because it doesn't stand up to actual facts in my opinion.

I do not agree with you, we lost the most important things, ethics, family values, greed for materialistic things took over compassion and fair go.
Your example about your parents that were unable to afford a car and you have 3 not only reinforce my point but also put in doubt what you think that was of value to your parents.
My parents do not have a car, they do not need one but I do not think that they were unhappy about it, they have 3 sons to whom they provide health care, education and morals. That it is wealth mate, not cars.

This clip says it all to me. It reminds me why I love this country and while I listen (and watch) I feel there's hope for us all.

It's why I chose my forum name and it's why I bought a Landrover, to get out there and enjoy it and let my wife and kids enjoy it.

Gods bless this country and all Australians

[ame=http://youtu.be/aZ4NuX0qWuY]This Is Australia - Great Southern Land - YouTube[/ame]

Originally Posted by bob10

None of the above has any relevance to the facts. Years ago, no doors were locked. There wasn't a massive drug problem. People couldn't see the sense in having 3 cars, one was enough, and while we are on that, quality of life wasn't measured by how many possessions a person had. Ask an indigenous person if they feel privileged to live in the townships set up for them by those who knew best. 50 years ago, I was 16. I dispute your assertion . And, " hell, they are allowed to vote", just about says it all, for you. Bob

My point was that indigenous people were not allowed to vote back then and yet people are implying it was a glorious age that has passed us by. How people could not be treated as people was a disgrace. I'm not far behind you age wise and can remember a massive drug problem called alcohol. There was a pub on every corner, men would go there after work every day and women weren't allowed in. Great times, pity they are gone. Not.

Originally Posted by Greatsouthernland

Agreed. The 3 tiers of government is a drain on resources.

Once we all get over the unsubstantiated loyalty to our home state and become passionate about Australia as a Nation, we will move forward.

How to do it? Local province I.e. Council region and Federal governing body. By all means use the state borders to delineate the province, but the state government does not need to be in the middle of the local council and Federal government. The house of reps essentially becomes the province/region leaders place of action. It needs detail, but removing state politics and placing local regions as the direct link to the Federal system is a start.

I'm not a politician...and haven't given it a lot of thought, it would have to be a brave political member, perhaps an independent, to put it forward?

How to do it? Basically, you would have to say that it is impossible. You need to remember that the states are the basic component of the country, not the federation. There is no mechanism for abolishing the states. Abolishing local government is easy - all it needs is to pass a bill in the state parliament - not even an election issue (see various State government forced council amalgamations! Some states may not even requirew legislation.). Abolishing the federation is more difficult, but could be done - it would need change in the constitution requiring a majority of votes and a majority of states.

But as far as I can see, there is no available mechanism to abolish states, even if there was an overwhelming wish to do so. Effective abolition could possibly be achieved by transferring powers from states to the federal government, but don't hold your breath. Even where clear cases for this exist, states are reluctant to do this, and voters even more reluctant.

John