Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by the wonderful member Alan G.

As I get older, I find myself becoming increasingly judgemental. I see so many stupid things going on in the world – or rather, stupid acts by people who should know better. When we go on holidays overseas now, we have to check whether the place we’re going to is ‘safe’ or not. After all this time, there are still people trying to solve problems by violence, and we seem to have learned nothing from history. We’ve even got blokes in positions of ultimate power who seem only to have the mentality to barely walk upright. Luckily, I live in Australia – and I even know how to pronounce the word, unlike many interviewed on TV, who ‘Still Call Australia “Home”’ probably because they call our country ‘Straya’.

Well, it seems my grumpy views focus on three ‘P’s, Face Paint, 99s, and ‘so…’ so I’ll deal with these in turn.

Power:
As I said we’ve had a couple of blokes in top positions in countries overseas that thought they were all-powerful. It’s true what they say: All power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Narcissistic, vain, ignorant, petty, juvenile, un-statesmanlike, intolerant of criticism and absolutely unable to appreciate that he’d made himself and his country a laughing stock, can be aimed at one particular person, perhaps two, who have the apparent capacity to mess up this lovely little planet of ours. I think that’s the most frightening thought - that it was like putting the loony in charge of the loony bin – in both countries that spring to mind.

Politics:
I, like many others I suspect, are really disillusioned by politics and politicians. Not since Don Chipp or Natasha Stott Despoja have we had many (apparently) really honest ones. Of course, we look back on Bob or Gough and think they were wonderful – but not when they were actually in power and doing a fine job. If they were, we wouldn’t have gotten rid of them at the time.

What are your thoughts on politics and power? Image source: Shutterstock.

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[Suzanne rose]

Oh you do sound exactly like my husband , you should hear the comments he makes when my son wears distressed jeans but I remind him of the way we dressed in the 70s and my grandfathers comment that our tops have shrunk or why was hubby's hair long like a Sheila's ( his words exact)

I tell my husband to stop being grumpy and too remember he was once young.

I have to agree I hate males wearing make-up but I only see this on TV and not amongst my sons or their friends .

Pity Gough didn't abolish University fees my kids are paying between $25,000 for teaching and nursing degrees to $120,000 for an engineers degree

 

[McNamara]

The point of "they wouldn't have got rid of them re Bob and Gough" needs examination. In Gough's case who was "they" The ruling class of which the mainstream media belongs is the answer. "They" are rarely the voter using their own powers of thinking because "they" are always being fed propaganda by the conservative owned media.
The Voice Referendum was hijacked by the media not calling to account the No campaigns outright lies. The media said they were just giving a balanced view from both sides. That is not their job. Their job is to report facts and question falsity.
An example of what is happening ro the current government.
Yesterday the Federal Govt announced the progress they had made in setting up medical care clinics per their election promise which is reducing the strain on emergency rooms at hospitals. The media spent most of their focus after reporting the achievement reporting on the opposition's negative comments. A reporter should have pulled up Anne Ruston and said "What did you do in your 10 years to solve this problem?" Or " Didn't this become necessary because of your negligence in the 10 years you had in power?".
Regarding "they" getting rid of Bob Hawke it was his own party. "They" got rid of Keating who replaced him 2 elections later .

 

[Brody]

The point of "they wouldn't have got rid of them re Bob and Gough" needs examination. In Gough's case who was "they" The ruling class of which the mainstream media belongs is the answer. "They" are rarely the voter using their own powers of thinking because "they" are always being fed propaganda by the conservative owned media.
The Voice Referendum was hijacked by the media not calling to account the No campaigns outright lies. The media said they were just giving a balanced view from both sides. That is not their job. Their job is to report facts and question falsity.
An example of what is happening ro the current government.
Yesterday the Federal Govt announced the progress they had made in setting up medical care clinics per their election promise which is reducing the strain on emergency rooms at hospitals. The media spent most of their focus after reporting the achievement reporting on the opposition's negative comments. A reporter should have pulled up Anne Ruston and said "What did you do in your 10 years to solve this problem?" Or " Didn't this become necessary because of your negligence in the 10 years you had in power?".
Regarding "they" getting rid of Bob Hawke it was his own party. "They" got rid of Keating who replaced him 2 elections later .

I for one agree with everything you have said. It beggars belief when you take a closer look at the number of things we
just ignore because it is easier and we don't want to address the issues at hand
anyway. We are the product of our own
casual attitude toward most things, that
don't really cause a big enough reaction in us to warrant action and perseverance
to see change.
We are the "Laid back Nation of She's okay, in accepting just about everything
that is dumped in our lap, with a whinge or too, but just turn our head and dismiss
the terrible reality of how these things
Impact our lives when it is too late.

 

[DLHM]

Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by the wonderful member Alan G.

As I get older, I find myself becoming increasingly judgemental. I see so many stupid things going on in the world – or rather, stupid acts by people who should know better. When we go on holidays overseas now, we have to check whether the place we’re going to is ‘safe’ or not. After all this time, there are still people trying to solve problems by violence, and we seem to have learned nothing from history. We’ve even got blokes in positions of ultimate power who seem only to have the mentality to barely walk upright. Luckily, I live in Australia – and I even know how to pronounce the word, unlike many interviewed on TV, who ‘Still Call Australia “Home”’ probably because they call our country ‘Straya’.

Well, it seems my grumpy views focus on three ‘P’s, Face Paint, 99s, and ‘so…’ so I’ll deal with these in turn.

Power:
As I said we’ve had a couple of blokes in top positions in countries overseas that thought they were all-powerful. It’s true what they say: All power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Narcissistic, vain, ignorant, petty, juvenile, un-statesmanlike, intolerant of criticism and absolutely unable to appreciate that he’d made himself and his country a laughing stock, can be aimed at one particular person, perhaps two, who have the apparent capacity to mess up this lovely little planet of ours. I think that’s the most frightening thought - that it was like putting the loony in charge of the loony bin – in both countries that spring to mind.

Politics:
I, like many others I suspect, are really disillusioned by politics and politicians. Not since Don Chipp or Natasha Stott Despoja have we had many (apparently) really honest ones. Of course, we look back on Bob or Gough and think they were wonderful – but not when they were actually in power and doing a fine job. If they were, we wouldn’t have gotten rid of them at the time.

View attachment 36704

What are your thoughts on politics and power? Image source: Shutterstock.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque in diam id erat facilisis consectetur vitae vel urna.

Ut lacus libero, suscipit auctor ipsum sit amet, viverra pretium nisl. Nullam facilisis nec odio nec dapibus. Integer maximus risus et velit porttitor ullamcorper

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[Iggydi]

Is it whinge time???? I have a pet hate and that is people can't spell these days. There are still schools and internet and you can find out how to spell a word, so when I see payed (nautical term) opposed to paid (monetary) it irks me (just 1 example because everyone doesn't have a spare few hours to read my rants) HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Senior Discount Club members and moderators.

 

[saundy]

That is a very well written letter that hits the nail right on the head, my congratulations to you for doing so, As far as the politicians go they need to get out of Canberra and the capital cities and get into the rural areas of Australia for a few weeks at a time this would open there eyes to the major issues of living in rural Australia we just can't get in the bus, train or tram to get from point A to point B if you don't drive yourself you have to rely on others to get around.

Medical services
Living in rural areas is not the same as metropolitan areas if I need specialist appointments I have to drive for 3 hours minimum each way, When I have to go to Melbourne that is almost 4 hours each way which means a night accommodation plus food etc.

Major services
There are no major services available in this town Vic Roads Powercore Waters company (Grampians Water) Telstra Conversation Forest & Lands etc all were taken from the town by the previous state government many people lost their job.
If you want any of these services you have to drive 60km to see them.

I was one of many that was thrown out of work when this happened this was done by the state liberal party they don't care about rural communities never have never will.

The only services that survived were Powercore and Grampians water the rest are gone never to return

I don't like commenting on politics but I just want to say I in my humble opinion Bob Hawke was a great prime minister he introduced the superannuation scheme for everyone who was employed, I was employed by a state government department but I was entitled to superannuation because all of us workers were not classified as full-time employees we were permanent casual employees so no superannuation. But with the national superannuation scheme that Bob Hawke introduced we were all covered by this scheme.
This was just one of many things that he did for Australia that I consider very important in the process of making this country great.

 

[starrysnan]

I think many people these days young and old take their spelling from American influence in movies, video games etc. Also from abbreviations used in texting. So many do not have any idea how words are spelt correctly and they also do not read books any more. What a magical and enjoyable pastime you are missing out on!

 

[PattiB]

The point of "they wouldn't have got rid of them re Bob and Gough" needs examination. In Gough's case who was "they" The ruling class of which the mainstream media belongs is the answer. "They" are rarely the voter using their own powers of thinking because "they" are always being fed propaganda by the conservative owned media.
The Voice Referendum was hijacked by the media not calling to account the No campaigns outright lies. The media said they were just giving a balanced view from both sides. That is not their job. Their job is to report facts and question falsity.
An example of what is happening ro the current government.
Yesterday the Federal Govt announced the progress they had made in setting up medical care clinics per their election promise which is reducing the strain on emergency rooms at hospitals. The media spent most of their focus after reporting the achievement reporting on the opposition's negative comments. A reporter should have pulled up Anne Ruston and said "What did you do in your 10 years to solve this problem?" Or " Didn't this become necessary because of your negligence in the 10 years you had in power?".
Regarding "they" getting rid of Bob Hawke it was his own party. "They" got rid of Keating who replaced him 2 elections later .

Totally agree with what you’re saying. I would love to see truth in political advertising. All the blatant lies make me so angry & cross with people who believe them. Maybe because I read a lot of news & various opinions online I’m usually very aware of what’s happening. If I don’t know I Google it and read a few articles until I can form an opinion. I’m still cross about the Voice & people saying there that there wasn’t enough detail. Thank goodness they weren’t voting on our constitution or it probably would have failed also. You & I both know how “detailed“ that document is.

 

[PattiB]

That is a very well written letter that hits the nail right on the head, my congratulations to you for doing so, As far as the politicians go they need to get out of Canberra and the capital cities and get into the rural areas of Australia for a few weeks at a time this would open there eyes to the major issues of living in rural Australia we just can't get in the bus, train or tram to get from point A to point B if you don't drive yourself you have to rely on others to get around.

Medical services
Living in rural areas is not the same as metropolitan areas if I need specialist appointments I have to drive for 3 hours minimum each way, When I have to go to Melbourne that is almost 4 hours each way which means a night accommodation plus food etc.

Major services
There are no major services available in this town Vic Roads Powercore Waters company (Grampians Water) Telstra Conversation Forest & Lands etc all were taken from the town by the previous state government many people lost their job.
If you want any of these services you have to drive 60km to see them.

I was one of many that was thrown out of work when this happened this was done by the state liberal party they don't care about rural communities never have never will.

The only services that survived were Powercore and Grampians water the rest are gone never to return

I don't like commenting on politics but I just want to say I in my humble opinion Bob Hawke was a great prime minister he introduced the superannuation scheme for everyone who was employed, I was employed by a state government department but I was entitled to superannuation because all of us workers were not classified as full-time employees we were permanent casual employees so no superannuation. But with the national superannuation scheme that Bob Hawke introduced we were all covered by this scheme.
This was just one of many things that he did for Australia that I consider very important in the process of making this country great.

I get cross with a lot of tasmanians complaining about a 2 hour trip to see a specialist especially when I’ve had friends on the mainland travelling for several hours for similar appointments. Most Tasmanians expect everything on their doorsteps as well as free parking & the list goes on and on. And yes I am Tasmanian & have always lived here but do escape now & then, usually to WA which certainly made Ted & myself aware of how isolated some areas are.

 

[PattiB]

Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by the wonderful member Alan G.

As I get older, I find myself becoming increasingly judgemental. I see so many stupid things going on in the world – or rather, stupid acts by people who should know better. When we go on holidays overseas now, we have to check whether the place we’re going to is ‘safe’ or not. After all this time, there are still people trying to solve problems by violence, and we seem to have learned nothing from history. We’ve even got blokes in positions of ultimate power who seem only to have the mentality to barely walk upright. Luckily, I live in Australia – and I even know how to pronounce the word, unlike many interviewed on TV, who ‘Still Call Australia “Home”’ probably because they call our country ‘Straya’.

Well, it seems my grumpy views focus on three ‘P’s, Face Paint, 99s, and ‘so…’ so I’ll deal with these in turn.

Power:
As I said we’ve had a couple of blokes in top positions in countries overseas that thought they were all-powerful. It’s true what they say: All power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Narcissistic, vain, ignorant, petty, juvenile, un-statesmanlike, intolerant of criticism and absolutely unable to appreciate that he’d made himself and his country a laughing stock, can be aimed at one particular person, perhaps two, who have the apparent capacity to mess up this lovely little planet of ours. I think that’s the most frightening thought - that it was like putting the loony in charge of the loony bin – in both countries that spring to mind.

Politics:
I, like many others I suspect, are really disillusioned by politics and politicians. Not since Don Chipp or Natasha Stott Despoja have we had many (apparently) really honest ones. Of course, we look back on Bob or Gough and think they were wonderful – but not when they were actually in power and doing a fine job. If they were, we wouldn’t have gotten rid of them at the time.

View attachment 36704

What are your thoughts on politics and power? Image source: Shutterstock.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque in diam id erat facilisis consectetur vitae vel urna.

Ut lacus libero, suscipit auctor ipsum sit amet, viverra pretium nisl. Nullam facilisis nec odio nec dapibus. Integer maximus risus et velit porttitor ullamcorper

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[DLHM]

I get cross with a lot of tasmanians complaining about a 2 hour trip to see a specialist especially when I’ve had friends on the mainland travelling for several hours for similar appointments. Most Tasmanians expect everything on their doorsteps as well as free parking & the list goes on and on. And yes I am Tasmanian & have always lived here but do escape now & then, usually to WA which certainly made Ted & myself aware of how isolated some areas are.

Yes indeed, WA is isolated but that’s part of its charm. I really like Tasmania too although I’ve only been there twice.

 

[Wallaby]

I disagree with most of what was said about politicians and the No campaign and stress that like many others I am able to think for myself, can hear everyone's point of view from the left and right of politics, do some research and then make an informed decision about how I will vote. When I was young (I am now 86 years old), politicians acted like statesmen, now there are some who act like "little Hitlers" and deserve to be thrown out of office no matter what their brand of politics.

 

[Greentrees]

That is a very well written letter that hits the nail right on the head, my congratulations to you for doing so, As far as the politicians go they need to get out of Canberra and the capital cities and get into the rural areas of Australia for a few weeks at a time this would open there eyes to the major issues of living in rural Australia we just can't get in the bus, train or tram to get from point A to point B if you don't drive yourself you have to rely on others to get around.

Medical services
Living in rural areas is not the same as metropolitan areas if I need specialist appointments I have to drive for 3 hours minimum each way, When I have to go to Melbourne that is almost 4 hours each way which means a night accommodation plus food etc.

Major services
There are no major services available in this town Vic Roads Powercore Waters company (Grampians Water) Telstra Conversation Forest & Lands etc all were taken from the town by the previous state government many people lost their job.
If you want any of these services you have to drive 60km to see them.

I was one of many that was thrown out of work when this happened this was done by the state liberal party they don't care about rural communities never have never will.

The only services that survived were Powercore and Grampians water the rest are gone never to return

I don't like commenting on politics but I just want to say I in my humble opinion Bob Hawke was a great prime minister he introduced the superannuation scheme for everyone who was employed, I was employed by a state government department but I was entitled to superannuation because all of us workers were not classified as full-time employees we were permanent casual employees so no superannuation. But with the national superannuation scheme that Bob Hawke introduced we were all covered by this scheme.
This was just one of many things that he did for Australia that I consider very important in the process of making this country great.

Keating brought in Superrannuation.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Keating brought in Superrannuation.

I'm pretty sure Bob Hawke started the super and Keating Government made it compulsory
There was already an outline of Super Gaurantee and Keating got it up and going

According to the Australian government’s timeline, an ABS study in 1974 revealed only 32 per cent of the workforce were covered by super at this point, majority of which were male.

By 1988, 51.3 per cent of employees were covered by super, and women’s access grew from around 15 to 30 per cent.

The start of the modern superannuation system​

When the 1991 Budget was released, it introduced the Superannuation Guarantee (SG), a compulsory system of superannuation support for Australian employees. A scheme to be paid for by employers, the first year of this new Act boosted super coverage for Australians to 80 per cent.

Over the next decade, coverage rose to 91 per cent, and the superannuation guarantee rate increased to 9 per cent.

 

[Brody]

I disagree with most of what was said about politicians and the No campaign and stress that like many others I am able to think for myself, can hear everyone's point of view from the left and right of politics, do some research and then make an informed decision about how I will vote. When I was young (I am now 86 years old), politicians acted like statesmen, now there are some who act like "little Hitlers" and deserve to be thrown out of office no matter what their brand of politics.

I think we could fill thick books about the
hasty decisions about everything that the politicians brought in while they were in power.
Either the laws they made were disastrous so that the opposition could tear them apart, or everybody had an opinion about it one way or another.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I think we could fill thick books about the
hasty decisions about everything that the politicians brought in while they were in power.
Either the laws they made were disastrous so that the opposition could tear them apart, or everybody had an opinion about it one way or another.

If only we could see the future! I agree it would be a very thick book on the wrong decisions or mistakes done by different Politicians and Governments

 

[saundy]

Keating brought in Superrannuation.

Sorry my mistake

 

[Brody]

Sorry my mistake

In having read everybody's thoughts and opinions, we are a product of our own conclusions, and mine set..

Rightly or wrongly we have voted in the "Dumbats" we voted in for four years.
Who we voted in,is the right one or not.
Majority Wins. Tough Luck if we voted for the other Blokes and Lassies. Four years to wait, to have another go at getting it right. Majority Rules. I agree we had some good one's in the past who were dedicated to bring change for the Better. Or at least we hoped so.

We are a totally different Culture today
from when we were young. Australia was
by "The White Appraisal Policy".
Abolish that and we opened the Door to peoples from all parts of the World.

That
Move created an absolute makeover of our entire society in everyday life.
Food, Languages, Different Ideas, Cultural Ways, very foreign ways of life, Different Laws, Religion, Different expectations of
the New Migrants. Opposite Views of so many different backgrounds having to mold and fit in to each other.

The list goes on, and on, and on. The good alongside the not so good. On the one hand assimilation, and blending in
to a new Cultural Identity. With a mix of varied other Nations coming together with a Respect of each other's
Identities, and previous differences.

Therefore what do we now have ? Was it a good move or a very difficult transition.
Each one of us has their own opinion of
wether it was or was not a good change.

There are so many different nationalities
who have chosen to make Australia Home. Their's is the choice to decide whether they choose to maintain their own aspects of Culture, within the Framework of Australia, that is an open
decision within groups or not.

The difference of mindsets between Cultures is a very important step in
us having and maintaining a fluid and
Peaceful Co-Existence, respecting each other's boundaries, whilst also having a respect for the existing way of the " "Locals".

Upward am onwards we go !
I do think the born Australians of other Nations are finding that their kids are choosing partners from a mix of the
Other Nationals Background with Native Australians, is very good even through the difficult aspects of bringing everybody
together.

 

[Brody]

"Sorry the White Australian Policy".