Sunday, February 22, 2009

A fair go?

Well, I actually sat down this afternoon and read the paper for a bit. There was a good article in the SMH weekend edition News Review about how we as a nation have become more and more reliant on welfare. And how we are now in a dangerous spiral where everyone is owed a living, and fewer and fewer tax payers are actually finding more and more 'dependants'. People are taking less responsibility for themselves, knowing that if things get really bad, someone will bail them out.
Australia is supposed to be a country where everyone is entitled to a fair go - doesn't this mean they will have opportunities to work hard so they can save some money, buy a home, raise a family and have access to decent healthcare and education, and build themselves some security for retirement.
Unfortunately many people still have these dreams, but without the 'work hard for the money' bit? There is little responsibility taken for ourselves. Our family, like thousands of Aussie families - work hard, earn enough money, pay for health insurance, car insurance, home insurance, put extra on our mortgage when we can.
And while it's devastating for Victorian families who have lost everything, why is it that it is now OK for all those people who did not take out home insurance to be given money to build a new home? I understand they are homeless and devastated and need help, and that we are a caring nation. And I know we have to help them, there is NO doubt about that.
BUT what about all those people who took responsibilty and paid home insurance premiums for years? Will they receive government assistance to repay that money? Will people who lose their homes in one off accidents be bailed out? Is this setting a precedent that will mean people take out less insurance and then head to the taxpayers purse to be bailed out?

There are so many people that need help. We all need to work hard and do our bit, so we can provide for those people who are truly in need. But the balance is only maintained if everyone who CAN chips in - not just everyone who wants to, if they can be bothered. We need to teach our kids (and quite a few adults) responsibility so that the next generation doesn't sit back with their hand out and wonder why the cupboard is bare!

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