It's official, we are ripped off!

[KenGee (Kenith Gee)]

Mike next time I'm in Newcastle I'll buy you a beer or two, and celibrate our great country and dark skies.

[Stardrifter_WA]

I agree with most here that we are a lucky country....there is no disputing that. But is it as lucky as it once was

However, I have to disagree with most, as I have steadily seen my standard of living drop, through no fault of my own. I can only go by what is happening in my neck of the woods.

I have had enormous difficulty in finding a full time job and this isn't something that I am used to. I have many qualifications and much experience, but unless you are young and pretty, forget it.

I am still productive but get penalised for being so by tax. By the time I take tax and other factors into consideration, I am actually working for about $6.00/hour. Two years ago, I was getting $24/hour after tax, but that was in a full time job.

So yes, it is a lucky country, and we are better off than most, but some in our society are much luckier than others, it seems. I WAS luckier than I am now and I still work hard, when I get work, that is.

I know this much, if I had to pay rent, I definitely couldn't afford to live! So, what happened to fair and equitable distribution of wealth.

The mining tax is supposed to improve our lot by raising the "tax free" threshold from $6000 to $18,400 which is more equitable, but the Government looks like reneging on this now and will only reward those with Super, for those lucky enough to have some. And even if they don't and do raise it, the opposition will remove it, as they would rather look after big business and their profits instead. Make no mistake, I do believe companies should be able to make profits, but not at the expense of those less fortunate in our society.

So, yes, I do believe we are being ripped off! Yes, I do believe we are better off than other countries, but this is no excuse for the cost of living pressures we are now facing in this country due to Government waste and mismanagement.

And, furthermore, if we don't become more productive, we will continue to see our standard of living fall. We can't compete with countries that have low cost bases.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Not quite. It is the private banking system that was given too much lee-way. Free market is healthy. Anyway we're still doing real good downunder. Bit of debt but we'll pay it off thanks to our natural resources.

Bit of debt is a good thing, we have things and we are getting more things. Public money is meant to be used and invested in big things for our future, all our futures. You keep refering to the "current bunch" in government as clowns but in fact they are exactly the opposite they are investing in stuff, trying to make a difference and building stuff for all Australians. It may be imperfectly done at times sure but stuff is getting done and the country is holding steady and even progressing when most other countries are not, the big ticket items are the right direction 100% for sure I for one sincerely hope we do not go back to the old crowd, now is the future and this is the way.

Hallelujah

[marki]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Bit of debt is a good thing, we have things and we are getting more things. Public money is meant to be used and invested in big things for our future, all our futures. You keep refering to the "current bunch" in government as clowns but in fact they are exactly the opposite they are investing in stuff, trying to make a difference and building stuff for all Australians. It may be imperfectly done at times sure but stuff is getting done and the country is holding steady and even progressing when most other countries are not, the big ticket items are the right direction 100% for sure I for one sincerely hope we do not go back to the old crowd, now is the future and this is the way.

Hallelujah

Yes I must admit the Greens have done a fabulous job of running our country for the past 12 months or so. So Mike when are you planning to stand as the Labour fedral candidate of newcastle? .

Mark

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by marki

Yes I must admit the Greens have done a fabulous job of running our country for the past 12 months or so. So Mike when are you planning to stand as the Labour fedral candidate of newcastle? .

Mark

I am not really a green voter (although I like some of their policies) but I have to agree, unbeknownst to the easily fooled, the hung parliament is the best thing that ever happened to government in this country, especially with Julia at the helm, apart from the odd bit of questionable legislation here and there (common part of any governments term) it's largely the most balanced and effective governmental action we have ever seen .

No, no plans to run for parliament ...besides the current sitting members in this region are doing a great job, I'd not get a look in

Mike

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Well said Trevor Keltik i couldt agree with you more.
AL

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

While individual cases vary of course, in relation to the orginal article refered to in this thread, I think the following article explains nicely the national hardship myth being perpetrated on us by vested interests

Cost of living crisis

or if you can't be bothered reading it all this is the conclusion:

"Australia’s perceived cost of living crisis is a symptom of a broader sense of aspirational angst and cultural anxiety. We fear that our prosperity may someday vanish and we will be left unable to afford the comfortable lifestyles that most of us now enjoy. Such angst has amplified the cost of living issue to such an extent that it now obscures the fact. Of course, cost of living should not be dismissed out of hand, but it is important to take a step back and appreciate just how good we have it."

That'll do me, all's good

Mike

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

While individual cases vary of course, in relation to the orginal article refered to in this thread, I think the following article explains nicely the national hardship myth being perpetrated on us by vested interests

Cost of living crisis

or if you can't be bothered reading it all this is the conclusion:

"Australia’s perceived cost of living crisis is a symptom of a broader sense of aspirational angst and cultural anxiety. We fear that our prosperity may someday vanish and we will be left unable to afford the comfortable lifestyles that most of us now enjoy. Such angst has amplified the cost of living issue to such an extent that it now obscures the fact. Of course, cost of living should not be dismissed out of hand, but it is important to take a step back and appreciate just how good we have it."

That'll do me, all's good

Mike

I feel much better now that I know I am do so wonderfully

That article is a load of rubbish! It gets under my skin when I read stuff like that. It is all very well for those who are better off and can make those sort judgements, no doubt based on statistics, but it doesn't truly reflect the reality that many are suffering due to cost of living pressures.

[bobson (Bob)]

"The well fed one does not believe the hungry one!"

bob

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by bobson

"The well fed one does not believe the hungry one!"

bob

I am happy for your fortunes. May you never strike ill winds, for fortunes can change ever so quickly and it is only then that one becomes ever so aware to what is being paid out.

I am just grateful that I purchased all my equipment when times were good. What the future now holds is most uncertain. So, I am sorry if I do not see things as good as you. I did once!

[bobson (Bob)]

Peter,

I don't know how did you get this conclusion out of what I wrote? I am with you in all this!!

I am saying the ones who are not affected by this crisis don't believe the ones who are. Thus saying that well fed ones don't believe the hungry one.

I look at the world around me as a whole picture not just from my backyard. And believe me I experienced being jobless. Not getting to do what I went to school for just cos of age or accent I have. So all those who as soon as you mention something against the way things are they start singing national anthem they better look at themselves. And they love to say how we have freedom of speech but as long as you say what they like to hear.

cheers

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by bobson

Peter,

I don't know how did you get this conclusion out of what I wrote? I am with you in all this!!

I am saying the ones who are not affected by this crisis don't believe the ones who are. Thus saying that well fed ones don't believe the hungry one.

I look at the world around me as a whole picture not just from my backyard. And believe me I experienced being jobless. Not getting to do what I went to school for just cos of age or accent I have. So all those who as soon as you mention something against the way things are they start singing national anthem they better look at themselves. And they love to say how we have freedom of speech but as long as you say what they like to hear.

cheers

My apologies Bob, I misunderstood, sorry

[Stardrifter_WA]

Poor communication and understanding on my part; comments taken out of context. Unfortunately, this sometimes happens with electronic communications. Cheers Peter

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Thankyou Bo, there a lot of Aussies living in a cloud of bullcrap about how bad it is here - many of them supposedly intelligent too.

Of course these same people will not read your link either

Mike

Sorry Mike but some sectors of the Australian economy are suffering. The building industry is where my income resides and here are some cold hard facts.

I am pricing work at pre 2006 prices and still in the middle of the prices. If I go lower I will be pricing work at below cost and that is just plain stupid.

There is not enough work available to all contractors and this has created the situation above where people with high debt are trying to win anything just for turn over. That turn over is just supporting the payment of interest. Those of us with no debt cannot win work because of this situation. There is low investment in the industry right now because of the world situation and since the GFC investment has been well below average. That crushes an industry.

I have personally won two jobs since November 2009. We have lived on savings and my wifes income since then. Fortunately we don't have a lot of debt, but I don't have an endless supply of savings either. I have a high savings ethic and saved during the good times, but those need to start happening again.

My story is just amongst many in the industry and there are people I know going to the wall. So while it may not seem to you that anything is amiss, please consider that there are many aspects of our economy that are currently suffering. If not nationally but certainly regionally. It is bad and will get worse in my industry in the next two years if things don't rapidly improve.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Sorry Mike but some sectors of the Australian economy are suffering. The building industry is where my income resides and here are some cold hard facts.

I am pricing work at pre 2006 prices and still in the middle of the prices. If I go lower I will be pricing work at below cost and that is just plain stupid.

There is not enough work available to all contractors and this has created the situation above where people with high debt are trying to win anything just for turn over. That turn over is just supporting the payment of interest. Those of us with no debt cannot win work because of this situation. There is low investment in the industry right now because of the world situation and since the GFC investment has been well below average. That crushes an industry.

I have personally won two jobs since November 2009. We have lived on savings and my wifes income since then. Fortunately we don't have a lot of debt, but I don't have an endless supply of savings either. I have a high savings ethic and saved during the good times, but those need to start happening again.

My story is just amongst many in the industry and there are people I know going to the wall. So while it may not seem to you that anything is amiss, please consider that there are many aspects of our economy that are currently suffering. If not nationally but certainly regionally. It is bad and will get worse in my industry in the next two years if things don't rapidly improve.

Sorry Paul but you have missed the point completely...and I don't think there is any further point trying to explain it again, if you didn't get it from what I have said you never will

All's good

Mike

[Paul Haese]

No I got your point Mike, I just wanted to add everything has to be viewed at perspective. It is great living in Australia, but it is expensive to live here and if you have no money coming in it can be challenging. That is what is going on right now.

One key indicator or our economy is the building industry. If that is not firing the long term out look is not great. People keep thinking they live in this bubble that is isolated from Europe. The economics says we are already being affected by a recession. I remember the last one major one. Times have been good and that is a certainty but things will change and that you can rely on.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

No I got your point Mike, I just wanted to add everything has to be viewed at perspective. It is great living in Australia, but it is expensive to live here and if you have no money coming in it can be challenging. That is what is going on right now.

One key indicator or our economy is the building industry. If that is not firing the long term out look is not great. People keep thinking they live in this bubble that is isolated from Europe. The economics says we are already being affected by a recession. I remember the last one major one. Times have been good and that is a certainty but things will change and that you can rely on.

Have a look around you Paul, what do you see? Empty cupboards? Empty Fridge? Empty garage? Empty Loungeroom?, Empty Study?, empty observatory?, no property? empty educational qualifications...? I think not that is all I am saying. Whether you want to accept it or not, we are worrying about price rises in a landscape of very solid levels of consumerism.

When we think we are doing it tough and want to blame our governments, just think of the rest of the World first before complaining becasue looked at across the board we are doing the best on all levels .

Mike

[Jules76 (Julian)]

Originally Posted by bobson

"The well fed one does not believe the hungry one!"

bob

This phrase works both ways. For example, there is a guy at work who is the most negative, cynical person who I have ever met who is struggling financially (mind you largely because of having too many kids!!) and all the doom and gloom he hears in the media just feeds his outlook that everyone else is also struggling. You just cannot tell him overwise, he refuses to believe it.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

You keep refering to the "current bunch" in government as clowns

...ok... green clowns then.

[TrevorW]

Originally Posted by multiweb

...ok... green clowns then.

nah

"Punch and Judy"

guess who's Judy