What are you worth in Mr Howards eyes?

If you are a carer, ill, disabled, single parent,unemployed, gay or a pensioner: NOT MUCH!!!! The recent budget and legislation clearly shows the state of play for many of our society, in other words you aren't much to him and his Government if you don't work and contribute to his and his Government massive self regulated pay increases. The Government spouts idealically about family values with all the inanity of a 1950s commercial of the perfect nuclear family, yet tells the single parents of our society that they must find work when the youngest child attends school whilst enforcing IR changes that effectively ensure the parents no rights when it comes to their families needs and requirements. If you are lucky enough to get a part time job that suits school hours, fine and good, have to leave work early because your child is sick at school and has to be collected...Too bad you just lost that job and under Centrelink rules, you quit unless your employer gives you a separation certificate...No $$ for you for a while. Women and men who can or choose to be stay at home parents are worth the same as those who choose or have to return to work, we care for and nurture our children in a home environment and socialize them with other parents via community playgroups and kindergarten. Our children are growing up to be the medicos, service personnel, teachers, tradespeople, sales clerks, artists, writers, media personalities who one day may be responsible for your life, your wellbeing, your biography, your grandchildren, your safety...Treat them and the people who raise them with the respect they and we DESERVE.
Same variant applies to the elderly, they have fought wars , gone without , survived the Depression, traveled to the new world for a new life, started businesses, worked the land for generations, developed inventions that are world reknown, been part of medical breakthroughs and then in the time of their life when respect and thanks by the Government should be lorded upon them they are given a measly increase in pensions, the Department of Veterans Affairs strings out matters for such a period that many die before thay receive full entitlements and then they make it just as hard for those left behind, whilst fat cat pollies who retire early and then go on the speaker circuit or write self indulgent memoirs with a ghost writer are entitled to free travel, golden tickets and a myriad of other perks the public know little of. When Government treat the elderly of society with such contempt and with little or no support mechanisms in their twilight years, why would any one in community be any different to their plight? Government is elected by the people, they should lead by example, this is not a don't do as I do, do as I say situation and never should be.
The recent changes to the ACT laws in regards to the recognition of same sex relationships show that at least some of our society can move forward and accept diversity, alas the man with the mandate believes his views are those of the rest of Australia and passed laws excluding the recognition of same sex relationships as a definition of family. Seems it wasn't long ago that de facto relationships and single motherhood were scorned upon and unrecognised except under common law. Times moved on and regardless of what the old farts of the old Dart of our political system think ;the gays of our society have a right to be recognised for not only their contributions to society but recognised and acknowledged as being part of a family unit or relationship not defined by the old school of uneducated and prejudicial attitudes.
The Government need to realise that they are supposed to represent the PEOPLE, I am rehashing a point here, I know, but PEOPLE are not defined by big business, media monguls, financial institutions or multi national corporations, people is a collective noun not a singular. If they are not representing the views of the people, they are not governing effectively. Or with a mandate.

School Holidays ...Still going

Well, as we round the corner for the final days of school holidays...I must say I have been enjoying them to date( touch wood) There have been fights and yelling and hitting, but there has also been the soccer competitions with the soccer dog and Mr 6, who is neither left or right footed but manages to keep his balance, run and kick a moving ball whilst ;mostly, dodging a pup who thinks the soccer ball is his.
There have been games on the PC and games in theyard, pasting and cutting, cooking and eating, dinosaurs roaming about our lounge with Supermanin tow. Buzz Lightyear and Batman have been flying about in Lego ships and I have about a dozen socks without parteners thanks to the frequent indoor vists of the pup. His indoor siorees are usually predestined by the collecting of all socks from the floor and the picking up of stuffed toys from the bedroom floors, he usually makes a bee line for my teddy bear collection in the front lounge anyway.
Its nice to sit and watch Dora the Explorer with Mr 3 or Disney with all of them or to heard Miss 9 explain maths on the PC to Mr 6 or teach Mr6 how to use a beater or help him crack eggs into a bowl for a cake. I have to admit theses are probably the first holidays I have'nt dreaded, maybe I am mellowing.