As you all know I argue my points constantly, usually. There is one place though that I don't bother. When I am at dad's fortnightly senior citizens dinner. Why you ask, well they grew up in a different era, it is hard for them to see the changes. It is however the hardest thing I do to keep my mouth shut. Typical is dad's next door neighbor. He complains constantly about the government, he says that they are letting all the jobs go overseas. He sometimes though does dad's shopping if dad needs stuff between my visits. I made a flying trip up for my Aunt's funeral and dad had given him a list of what he wanted for all the visitors. He arrived with the shopping soon after I arrived from Sydney. They were unpacking the groceries when I walked in. I said, "Dad usually doesn't get this brand and that brand I said, dad even wrote the brands he wanted on his list". The guy replied, "But these brands are cheaper, and Aldi doesn't keep the ones he wanted". All dads brands are Australian, that is why he wants them and is willing to pay a little more. The neighbor also says that the government should do something about the mining, the dust and pollution he says is the reason the district has a cancer incidence about 20 times the national average, even his own wife has been diagnosed twice and he has lost 3 nieces and nephews to cancer. He is a self funded retiree, living off the millions he was paid for his land by the mining companies. He bought 10 houses in the town and is also complaining that the council is building 100 low cost units to house those who cannot afford the high rentals due to the high demand for housing due to the high wages paid to miners. He says the councils, low rent scheme will force him to lower his rentals to compete, the government should step in to protect his investment. He is 85 and his son and only heir is already retired and living in a luxury home on the gold coast and has investment properties. IMHO he himself is doing more harm then the government could ever do. I have no problem with people being rich, but I do when it is at the expense of others, and then they have the hide to blame the government for problems they in part are a cause of.
This is true why shouln't he complain, you want Gina to bring in foreign workers at the expense of the Australian workforce?? This is what this supposed lucky country has reduced its senior citizens too. If we owned all our utilities and telecommunications and commonwealth bank and recieved 40% of the minerals revenue. Our pensioners could be always shopping for the top brands top shelf now thats a lucky country hey. Why cause our government would be rolling around in billions of dollars. Now some fat overseas business mogul is getting the billions and the Australian pensioners are eating at the bottom of the barrel. The government has no steady revenue source apart from taxation and it shows all over, including our pensioners What about all the crap closer to home like factories, cars, trucks, refineries etc etc. If his son has worked hard all his life putting in to this great land of ours paying his taxes along the way and now has the means to support his own retirement. I say BRAVO to him. And bad luck for those doll bluggers that sleep in till 12 every morning saying this is my land it has to support me i'm a citizen.
When I order a part, and it doesn't arrive in time, I always here: the guys over East must have misplaced the order, or the postie has dumped it or else. I never hear, I have forgotten to order it. Remembrance Day was to remember all soldiers and all civilians killed in wars. We praise our army and fallen hereos, but I never hear a word of sorrow, for Iraq eg. We are used to be the best, and self critcism hasn't got any place in our perfect image....
We know that elected representatives of the people (politicians) have taken their eyes off the ball for decades. There is a massive housing shortage for low income workers and for people on welfare benefits like pensioners; not to mention the already 300,000 homeless Australians who live on the streets every day & night. The increase of cancer might be contributed to mining, but it might also be contributed with the carcinogenic known as Formaldehyde that is sprayed on every stick of furniture and some clothing that is manufactured and imported into Australia from Asian countries. These Asian countries will not allow their own people to buy products contaminated with Formaldehyde, but Australian politicians and the Health Commission have deemed it acceptable to import these products into Australia for use knowing the dangers. How many homes in Australia have lounges and furniture imported from Asian counties that’s contaminated with the carcinogenic Formaldehyde sprayed on it? Way to go Australian scum-bag politicians - allow furniture and clothing to be imported into Australia contaminated with the known carcinogenic Formaldehyde, but the countries manufacturing the products have banned their own people from buying the same contaminated products. When was the last politician that publicly stated that Formaldehyde needs to be banned form importation. Australians really are a dumbarse backward people, and they deserve everything that get, when they keep voting in these same scum-bag politicians that couldn’t give a rats-arse about importing a dangerous carcinogenic chemical like Formaldehyde - so long as they make a quick buck on import trade. LOL LOL What can be said about a people who allow politicians to sell everything from under them without a murmur - sheep to the slaughter.
Maybe you could tell me how Australia having FTA's with other countries offering cheap human labour helps Australian manufacturing and agriculture compete with these cheap imports that have NO import tax on them, but Australian goods have import tax on manufacturing and agriculture going into their countries?? How is that fair for Australia and Australians?? Who is taking advantage of whom in this situation?
Perhaps instead of condemning their politics and wisdom due to age, you should listen to it and consider it. If you actually took the time to hear the wisdom of your father, you might find that they are as pertinent today as the days they grew up. I think you will see it is you who has the problem of changes, not them.
I haven`t done any homework on the formaldehyde situation myself yet, but I`ve heard identical stories a few times now. If this is the case, our import regs need a good workover, and someone should serve some serious time for letting this happen.
Unfortunately Aussie, all furniture and some clothing imported from Asian countries are sprayed and contaminated with Formaldehyde for Australian general use. Every other Western country has banned the use and importation of goods contaminated with Formaldehyde for over a decade due to it being known as a dangerous carcinogenic chemical. How many imported leather lounges and pieces of furniture contaminated with Formaldehyde is sitting in Australian homes right now. Then Australians (headless chickens) want to know why cancer rates in Australia suddenly started ballooning. Well, maybe it was after politicians allowed furniture and clothing with this dangerous carcinogenic to be imported from Asian countries into Australia for general use. They are sitting in it, and breathing it in all the time. This is where rational Australians need to start thinking more deeply. These Asian countries know how dangerous Formaldehyde is, and their Governments have made it illegal for manufactures in their countries to sell their citizens any furniture or clothing thats been contaminated with Formaldehyde, but they think its alright to send the same dangerous contaminated carcinogenic products to Australia for the Australian people to use. But the do-gooders peddling their little wagons will have us believe THESE people ARE suppose to be OUR friends. LOL LOL LOL Well, with friends like that, we certainly don't need any enemies. Slimy politicians also know the scientific dangers of Formaldehyde, but they keep allowed this dangerous chemical to be imported into Australia on furniture and clothing to be used by Australian citizens. How is that for killing off your own people to balance the budget books, and to keep Asian countries trading with us. Politicians will never be held accountable for anything, because they have omnipotent power outside everyday law. Vote for a politician, and you are simply voting for one clown to take over form the other clown!! Look at Peter Garrett, the Minister who got 4 young Australians killed in a bungled Home insulation Scheme - has he served any time behind bars for his incompetence in their deaths? He is out their, laughing it up, partying, and feasting on tax payers expense with not a care in the world, because he has Parliamentary privilege , which gives him the omnipotent power to do whatever the hell he likes, and can get away with it. Everyone knows what this cretin did, and instead of booing & hissing him every time he makes a public appearance, or walk out in disgust, they sit around hanging on his every word like he was some kind of bloody celebrity or movie star. Welcome to the limited Australian mentality.
