Am I the last one left?? It seems I have an opinion on almost everything and it also seems that my opinion lies a long way left of the politically correct, civil libertarian minority that have apparently taken over this country.
In order for you to get a handle on where I’m coming from, below are a few of the things I feel strongly about.
There is little or no justice in our legal system
Why do I pay more taxes that my multi millionaire neighbours?
Why is kidney failure deemed elective rather than life threatening?
How can a politician be caught lying and still keep his/her job?
Why are we selling our land to whoever wants it?
Why is swearing now acceptable on radio and television?
If smoking is that bad for you, why isn’t it illegal?
I won’t go on, the list is longer but I hope you see what pushes my buttons. I know I’m not the last one left because I get into discussions with people quite often and they share my concerns. We can solve more than half the issues on that list over lunch on any given day. But we won’t and we don’t.
My problem, and I believe it has struck the silent majority, is that we are apathetic to any and all causes until that issue visits us personally. We display shock, horror and resentment when individuals are dealt with lightly after committing atrocities on innocent victims. I have been known to rant and rave on and off for weeks about overseas investors buying parcels of Australia or the tax system, education system or at my frustration at not being able to explain to my 10yo that bloody, bugga and bull s*** are swear words even though the words are used now with abandon on radio and television.
I firmly believe our standards have been and are still being eroded by the noisy few that play on our apathy in order to have their way. I call it the “lowest common denominator” factor. I see it all the time. A few hundred people protest over an issue, I disagree with their views, quietly of course, the powers that be hear the noise and change the law and I in my apathy, live with the result.
This newsletter goes out to over 15000 people and I have bet my partner (dinner somewhere in the beautiful Swan Valley) that we will get a response of less than 0.1%. Prove me wrong. Have your say. http://thegocommunity.blogspot.com/
11 comments:
It comes down to a basic lack of values, we are in isolation when it comes to teaching our children what is acceptable behaviour as there is no standard. Kids will say "but Billy's mum lets him why can't I?" etc, and we either give in to avoid our child being the odd one out or we make ourselves appear mean and nasty, so the line of least resistance has become the standard.
Since not even our leaders and politicians accept responsibility, there are no role models that we all respect so the spiral continues downwards. Ask most people to give you a list of their values and most will utter some vague response because they just don't know, because no one has taken the time to instil them into their daily activities. I could go on and on but this has already started to appear like an essay.
Values and Ethics are things we had and have lost.
I too have opinions which can viewed at http://www.australianblogger.com/index.php under the name DaddyLongLegz. I have always voted Liberal, being self employed and employing as many people as I can and giving the best conditions I can, but this time I will vote for whoever can demonstrate that they will get serious over crime which so far is no one. I have a 14yo who is scared to play outside because of threats of violence from 17y olds. I have spoken to the boys parents, no joy there, and the police can't do anything because of no actual harm. I'd like to turn the tables on these kids but then I would be breaking the law so they just get to do as they please.
At the risk of repeating my blog words I feel that any anti-social persons should be removed from society until they learn the rules for us all to get on, why should my wife be afraid to drive after dark, why can't she take the dog for a walk in the cool evening without being mindful of possible thugs committing mindless acts? 99%of the populus just want to live in peace and harmony but the minority spoil it for everyone and our touchy feely lawmakers and juditiary just keep giving them chances whilst these morons laugh in their faces. Education for these errants does not and has not worked so let's get them off the streets so that the rest of can live life without constraint. I'll put up with my kids swearing as that seems to be just the way they talk to each other now but I will never tolorate them misbehaving. Yup, I've spent the last 15 years teaching them right from wrong, making it my business to know where they are at all times and who they are with, that's because Im their dad and that's my role in their life. Some other parents want to wake up and accept their responsibilities too. Right, soap box away now as I've a 15th birthday party to organise.
please allow others their right to live their lives by their own codes. i'm not saying i condone malicious acts but i certainly dont honestly believe saying bloody makes one an immoral or bad person. your views are your views and you are entitled to them but that doesnt mean the rest of the population has to adhere to them either. i think it is more important the people show kindness and consideration to each other.
I could not agree more with your comments and how refreshing it is to see someone like minded! I lay the blame squarely at our own feet..we have a voice and we should use it!. In my house if there is offensive language on the programme we are watching..it gets turned off or switched over, and that includes the vulgar and revolting Simpsons.
I have often wondered about many of the same issues. As a parent I find it worrying what sort of world I have brought my daughter into.
The simplest way for me to cope, would be for me to put my head in the sand, pass off my parenting duties, and become my daughters friend. That seems to be the way that most modern parents cope. It's not easy to be a good parent, it involves putting in effort and being the ‘bad cop’. Being your kid’s friend is to fail them as a parent. They'll have lots of friends, but they only have one set of parents to help guide them through life.
I don't have all the answers, but many a person will look back at their childhood with fondness, and often say "back in the day..." This may be an instance where we can benefit from the past, when people saw values and morals as a strength, not a weakness.
Where to from here?
There are a lot of problems that I notice these days. One of the biggest problems I've noticed is people's lack of responsibility. Instead of working out what WE can do to improve our lives and the lives of those around us, we look at everyone else and want them to change. We have to get over this victim mentality and realise that every person is in control of their own life - maybe not all the experiences but you control the lessons you learn. We also need to stop grouping people, no we aren't all the same (if that's what you want - buy a mirror!!!), but we are all connected - we're all living on this planet - here and now is all we have so why not make it the best we can. We need to ditch the words "them" and "us" and we should all help each other instead of judging. Don't use that stupid excuse, "one person can't change the world" because that's a total lie and you know it. You change the world every second of every day - the real decision is HOW will you change the world. The other decision is to not give up your strong ideals - remember when you were 18 or so and had that strong heroic feeling of knowing you can change the world. As we get older we lose that - and that's why the needed changes take so damned long - we all get complacent! I know because I'm at the turning age and watching as all my friends slowly loose hope in the world and join the sad majority and quiet sufferers who will comment on problems but not actually change anything about themselves to help the situation - just keep going to work isn't that what life is about? Do we want a loving happy world or not? Then stand up, start being the difference you want to see - we don't have to start mass protests etc we just need to show love and understanding to the world. Simple methods I use - picking up rubbish - if there is an obvious piece why not?, smiling at people, plant tree, don't vandalise places, hold doors open, let others through in the crowd, be patient in traffic and let other drivers in, THANK people if they do something nice for you etc (which I generally don't get, which I forgive people for because I'm sure they did appreciate my help they are just too caught in their own drama to realise.)
Epic rant is completed. Now go change the world, or stay here and do it :)
We live in such a "nanny world" now - that most people do not want to accept responsibility for their own actions or, more importantly, the outcomes of those actions.
Too many are looking for someone else to blame - rather than being prepared to accept that they might have just contributed to their current circumstances by their own actions or lack of actions.
Until people understand that most of the time "what you get out is the result of what you put in" (barring genuine accidents) - we will continue to see a decline in community standards and a lack of personal self respect - leading to continued anti-social behaviour.
The best thing we can do is to teach our children to be responsible for their own outcomes and help them to think through what those outcomes might be - beforehand. What goes round, comes round. Trite? Yes, but true.
This is the Australian way of life. If a small group in Australia say Christmas is wrong, we bend over backwards to get rid of it, the same goes for religion,language and anything Aussie. While I love our multiculture society, I love the different cultures and traditions and it make us somewhat more open minded, but a few noisy people on a subject and the goody two shoes come out in droves and what ever upset the small minority is changed. We are Australians that are fast losing our identity, everthing that we once enjoyed is being changed. Religion can't be taught in public schools as it upsets some children, Christmas is wrong and must be changed, Easter Bunny is no longer valued get rid of him. Our clothes are to skimpy in the summer, get everyone to cover up. Santa has no place in the modern world, off with him. It is sad that a few much so much difference, what can we say, we are the majority and have no voice, who wants to hear from a huge group of people who are interested in the same cause. A small number of voices crying out to change the perceived bad deed is much more of a story
...and two more:
Why are so many journos so ill educated that they can't spell and their grammar is atrocious;
why do we have expensive referenda if the government ignores the results.
Apathy! Who cares?
Terence Kierans
Firstly could not agree more.
Secondly Australians are a product of their own success. That is they hate
the Poms they say because they whinge and moan. Where as they will tell you
that Aussies make do with what they have and battle on. I believe it is this
inherent battler attitude that causes Aussies to wait right until their
point that it effects them before they will even consider thinking about
doing anything and then do nothing and say She¹ll be right Mate and battle
on.
Thirdly we are raised to learn in Australia no one likes a moaner and a
groaner.
I some times can be thought of as a moaner. But I believe if you do not
lodge a complaint about an unsatisfactory occurrence there is no chance of
ever getting a positive outcome. The offending party carries on regardless
thinking all is well because no one attempted to complain or object
constructively.
I agree we need to act on what we believe in. The current GM debate is a point at hand.The NSW government has just overturned the GM Moratorium and other states are likely to follow. I ask all of you to email the following to indicate your opposition to GM. The emails are to states immediately contemplating lifting their state Moratoriums on GM.If you're not sure what to write, or are unclear on the arguments I've outlined just a few below plus some websites to contact for more info.
Email: john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au
Email: joe.helper@parliament.vic.gov.au
Email: thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
Arguments
1. The safety of GM crops continues to be of concern. NO long term animal studies (greater than 3 months) have been undertaken on GM food. Considering GM technology is about putting together things in nature that do not normally go together, it makes sense considerable long term studies be undertaken. Greater care is taken with medicines, and these are not consumed by the entire population.
2.Consumer do not wish to eat GM food - why allow farmers to grow something where there is no demand, and in the process contaminate other farms, forcing people who do not want to produce GM to do so.
3. GM Canola (the crop the NSW government has allowed in) has a high propensity to contaminate other farms - in other countries non-GM farmers have had to bare the costs of segregating their produce so as not to be contaminated.
Further information:
http://www.bfa.com.au/_files/20070819_GE%20Moratoria%20Review.pdf
http://no-gmo.asn.au/
If you do not wish to consume GM food, I urge you all to email your members of parliament now, so they know how you feel.
Post a Comment