For decades I have been saying Australia is going backwards

[smiley]

I've watched enough b/w films of the good old/bad old days that by enlarge we are better off now but not 100% - never can be - just enjoy what ya've got ok??

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Yes, no grandkids from mine and husbands bloodline. Lucky to have one grandchild that came with the DIL. He was only 6 months old, so got to see the son change diapers, give baths, bottle feed a tiny. I got the privilege of being a true Grandma to the little one.

They have decided against another because the world is not like it was in many ways. They also say the high cost of living now makes it difficult to keep a decent life. I get it.....but don't like it.

How sweet. Congratulations Grandma! May the little one bring you many years of joy. I know what your son and DIL mean about the high cost of living. I don't know how young people with children manage these days. Best of blessings to your family in these trying times.

 

[Lavinia]

Decline is not just about wealth. Standards have dropped and this has affected people's attitudes. The standard in education has dropped, the language has been corrupted. Even the BBC is encouraging its presenters to appear in t-shirts, or without a tie. All of this has an effect on the minds of the population.

 

[Messy]

I've never had to live in poverty but I've never been rich either. I am content just to have enough for my needs. Any surplus money or goods I am happy to give away. I don't sell of possessions that I no longer need, I donate them to charity or pass them on to someone who can use them whether I know that person or not.

It is my belief that a society where people have sufficient resources to live a fulfilling life is the ideal. Taxation is the mechanism for ensuring that this can happen. While not endorsing Marxism, I do like the slogan "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".

The way I interpret that slogan is people whose income is way more than they need, and the taxes that they are legally obliged to pay, should be directed toward lifting up the people who are struggling to thrive in our society.

Two problems arise. Human nature is inherently selfish. The rich, but not only the rich, want to expand their wealth and cannot see why they owe anyone else a share in their fortune. They minimise their tax obligations legally. The poor live desperate lives and may seek solace in alcohol, gambling and petty crimes. They cannot afford higher education, decent housing and health care unless the government provides for them. Here's the rub - these and other social benefits require taxes to be levied which is what the Marxist slogan is all about.

The rich in Holland pay taxes. In the govt there's a max they can earn. Rutte always biked to work when he was the prime minister.
It has gotten out of hand here. People have enough of it. Just read it in the comments of a Dutch News site. Everyone knows lazy people who refuse to work and live in a fatzo house a young full time worker doesn't get. He may live with his mom to pay taxes for a spoiled person to live in a fatzo house with a quite neat govt income, while not having had a job from 20 to 50 years old cause he didn't feel like working. Not only the rich can be selfish.