Working class people are going through some insane and scary times in your country. I wish for you that you truly become united and change the power structure to real representation and a real government of the people that restores your education, health and other essential services. The Australian working class is not as badly abused as in your country but we’re moving in that direction. Stay strong!
Also Sarah Hanson-Young gives an excellent, spirited speech mentioning the role of the media moguls and others, the effect on everyday people and businesses here and overseas and the pro-war stance of all the other parties in Parliament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfxDJan32U8
Globally? Wow that’s big but perhaps not accurate. In Australia there is plenty of wealth transfer going on. Please stop believing these facile statements that divide people. We need to work together. https://www.9news.com.au/national/baby-boomer-major-wealth-transfer-inheritance-looming/bd9714b3-a44c-401c-88c3-36c3ee277a28
The article does not explain why “at least 50,000 tonnes of beef are required to be in line with EU competitors, instead of the 30,600 on offer” but I for one, am happy there is less demand for beef. The whole world should be transitioning away from so much meat consumption for climate and ecological reasons (and animal welfare).
As a boomer, I agree with much of what younger generations say. I’d also like to remind you that it was the Boomer generation who advanced a number of movements that questioned ‘the establishment’ and made the world less constricting: feminism, gay rights, civil rights, indigenous land rights, the Green movement and environment protection laws, broader access to higher education, to name just some. Not all people of my generation are selfish old farts. I’d say the old farts at the top of the economic ladder ARE selfish (to be polite) and I’d also add that the younger farts that lick their boots are just as selfish and seek to be where their bosses are. I’d like you to picture, for example, the potus and his band of merry warmongers and environment destroyers and you will see that most are Gen X & Y. Ditto for most big industry. Hey, just remember the Tech bros and their energy-guzzling projects, like the Data Centres and what they are costing the Earth.
Everyday people did not understand (and many still don’t) that they were causing climate change. They just swallowed the consumer narrative very adeptly churned out by big polluting and health-poisoning industry and their political counterparts. I could almost guarantee that if younger generations had been born when Boomers were born, you would have done what they did.
Being a generational ‘racist’ does not help any of us to change this deranged, exploitative system. We must work together as much as we can for the sake of not just you but of your children who are going to face an even worse situation and for Nature which is struggling to keep the place, our home, liveable.
I don’t know. Why don’t you put up a post and see what people say?
And those who don’t care are mostly those who have not been exposed to thinking about the world and the economy in ways other than the constant mainstream narrative which is about consumption and self-centredness, about competition and lack. Look at the world situation right now. It’s a result of that mindset taken to the max. Those of us who do care must keep up the message that a saner society is possible. Perhaps what we’re going have to face in the next few years will teach our wasteful societies a lesson.
I’d say that many people don’t.
Totally agree. Unfortunately under our current system they are unlikely to close commercial child care centres. They were supposed to better regulate them. I hope parents are making sure their MPs don’t forget and also keep advocating for more support for community-run ones.
And that too!
The photo doesn’t come up blurry on my laptop. I’m not techie at all so I’m sorry I don’t know why it’s blurry on your device.
Congratulations on your garden work. I am doing something similar and have seen the wildlife diversity increase and I will keep on planting. It’s a joy. I’ll put up more native gardening posts up if there is an interest here.
But if you can seek to redirect the anger where it belongs
I agree with you. The question is how do we do this? Most of the mass and popular media is well and truly paid up to give them the narrative that shapes and reinforces the ‘us and them’ perception. Someone must come up with the skills (online workshop, booklets, leaflets?) that can be learnt to be able to talk rationally with people who have been socialised this way without creating more rejection. Facts aren’t enough.
Within entrenched patriarchal systems this is to be expected. Doesn’t matter whether leaders are in business suits or clerical robes (also remember the Vatican and its extensive world-wide real estate portfolio). The wealth travels to the top while ordinary people mostly struggle. The Chinese (at present) seem to be the only power structure which keeps excesses under control (I am happy to be corrected or for further discussion to ensue).
Trump could be the best thing yet for emissions reductions /s
Not if he gives orders to blow up nuclear facilities and Iran returns the favour (but I really hope you are right).
Perhaps talk to ON followers at their level. Anecdotally, one I’ve spoken said he votes for ON because “Pauline says what most Australians think, she thinks like me” (one of the everyday people). When I pointed out she keeps company with billionaires etc, what I got was anger and a walking away from me.
It seems to me this is a long-term project. If people want to be reflected at their most reactionary and feel secure as part of a tribe then we need political reps from other parties who will not talk over their heads.
But no one’s laughing. I just keep thinking of what we are leaving to the young.
Vale Rhoda. I remember hearing her speak on TV about current indigenous issues and I was blown away by her honesty and willingness to talk about these issues in ways that went beyond common politics.
I’ve never seen one in a zoo or elsewhere!
We need to remind other Labor premiers in Oz that making public education can be funded properly as in SA and we need public education workers and parents to get loud.