There is only one way to succeed in a rapidly changing world and that is to walk positively and confidently towards every challenge while looking constantly for the light on the hill.
As a nation we are now doing the exact opposite, walking backwards into an ever expanding swamp of negativity.
If a Martian flew in today to make an objective study of Australia, she would become totally depressed with our aura of utter gloom. She would note on her computer chip that Australians were hostile to the entire notion of change, fighting relentlessly to restore the ever diminishing glories of past days.
The average Aussie would tell her that he sees as an horrendous threat to life itself such fearful things as the Republic, a new Flag, Same Sex Marriage, Indigenous Recognition, Climate Change, Refugees, Foreign Investors, Muslims, Socialists, Ageing, Carbon Tax, Nuclear Power, Asset Sales, Trade Agreements and Coal Mines while ignoring the fact that the rest of the world sees them all as quite normal.
They will tell her that the only possible solution is to do what the politicians warn them to do, circle the wagons, get out the guns and fire at will.
Sadly, the world passes us by, noting that its probably not worth the effort to even try to trade with such an isolationist, head in the sand, nation.
So, how do we move out of the dark realm of the political negative and advance into the pleasant world of the positive where prosperity and quality of life are likely be found in abundance.
Firstly, parliaments, politicians and bureaucrats must experience a massive attitude change from the culture of spreading fear and fostering confrontation as a desperate means of retaining, or gaining, power.
They must recognise that the days of rampant capitalism, suffocating socialism and fundamentalist religion are slowly fading away and are being replaced by a mind expanding world of technology which we must master, not fear.
Australian must change to become an enlightened society, not a ramshackle economy heading south.
But, we can’t put all the blame on the pollies. Each and every one of us must stop blaming our woes on everyone else and acknowledge that, whatever state our lives are in, it is largely our own fault. We had better fix it ourselves instead of waiting for governments to save us, an event that will never happen.
Above all, we must depart from the dark realm of the nay-sayers and reach for the stars.
Even if we crash mightily in doing so, we will have lived well and encouraged others to follow the tracks we have left in the sand.
Yours at Large
Everald Compton
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I have read your recent words and think they are right on the money.
Many thanks for going to the trouble of putting your thoughts into words.
They do inspire in these dark political times.
Ian Sutherland.
Regarding the matter of ‘Gay marriage’ [for want of a better name], I have found that the majority of people that I have discussed this with, are not against a ‘union’ (or other suitable word) of same sex people, but definitely disagree with the word ‘marriage’ – since it totally makes us ‘man & woman’ – feel we are then being classed in the same category as those who want to do it their way. Which is not in accordance with the official definition of “marriage”. Since the champions of ‘same sex marriage’ admit that their real need is to be able to get the same financial and legal benefits, etc. as those legally married, all that is needed is to use another word (union?) in lieu of ‘marriage, and then where-ever the word MARRIAGE is used it could be shown as: “marriage or union”. All will be happy, matter solved. I would accept that, but if it comes to a public ‘referendum’ or ‘plebiscite’ I will definitely vote against it for this very reason! As will most others I speak to!
Thanks for this Everald and yes I agree and believe the press have to share some of the blame too
Cheers
Charlie Dell
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I respect the contribution you have made Carlo yet I fear that none of what you say will make the slighest bit of difference. Australians were at one stage finding their place and this was at last a wonderful thing. Now I fear that the younger generations have lost the plot. Fancy having a generation of people who will only work if it’s what they think they want to do otherwise they do nothing. I still think of the young fellows who climbed up the cliffs at Gallipoli only to be mown down or were killed on the Kokoda trail or who have been killed in all the later conflicts. What was that all about given what we observe amongst Australian people nowadays.
An excellent contribution to the debate by Carlo
Interesting Everald! However I think youâre a little hard on the average Aussieâs attitudes to some of your items. Or perhaps it may be that although they donât like the prospect of some of those things theyâre reluctantly prepared to go along with them because itsâ happening across the Western world. For instance â gay marriage! I hate the term marriage being associated with the union of two gays. Not because Iâm anti âgay, my brother was of that persuasion and we have friends that way too. But legalise their arrangements by all means but sanctifying them under the guise of marriage is an unnecessary bummer. I think Fred Hollows had it right many years ago when Australia and the world had to spend oodles on helping gays remend or stop from dying of aids. His comment: the gays are usurping our normal life and ways â seeking to take over the norms of our lives! (my words but his thoughts put in simpler words)
Neither Iâd suggest is the average Aussie against migrants and refugees. Leave out those of Moslem faith and there would be little consternation about immigrants. Why â because pretty much every other immigrant group that resettled here has assimilated well and not tried to impel their religion and way of life eg sharia law, halal food, etc on the country. Nor have they stood by without standing up while people of the various sects of their faith are committing atrocities and crime all over the place. Sure some Chinese keep to themselves a bit and so perhaps donât contribute as socially as they might but thatâs not imposing on the rest of us. Nor do we want to experience her what has happened in England and other parts of Europe â ie ghettoization of various parts and closed communities.
Thirdly â I donât agree that the average Aussie is against reconciliation with indigenes. Like me they might be against the more detailed aspects of the current suggestions for changing the Constitution. But thatâs not because theyâre against mentioning that they were the first peoples in this country (which might be debatable). Itâs all of the other features that would lead to s much extra money for lawyers in so many ways.
Of course I agree that we are woefully led across all political sides and thatâs not going to change for a long while looking at the material in all camps. Neither major party has anything to offer at present.
But perhaps Everald youâve missed one or two other failures hamstringing our social progress? Firstly â no society can really progress until it eliminates âthe age of entitlementâ mindset that drives lots of people and politicians to pander or avoid leading. Second â what happened to starting small and only increasing what one wants when itâs affordable instead of going into debt? I think Iâm right in saying that Australia has the highest %ge of personal debt in the free world. Third â until Australians at every level stop bashing on about rights and start upholding their responsibilities to themselves, their communities and the nation â we havenât much chance!
And one final note on Aboriginal matters â the average Aussie rightly feels that with all the money spent on them over the last 50 years at least â they should/could be contributing more to society, have lifted themselves to living along standards that most Australians try to live by, and see themselves first as Australians not just aboriginal. Of course lots of the money has been spent on intermediaries and service operators â far too much. But their leaders in some cases and their communities have also squandered large amounts âillegally or via poor usage. Thatâs not to deny there are many bright endeavours initiated by them and other Australians. But my philosophy has always been that itâs up to the individual, family, community, and nation how it wants/needs to conduct itself such that it can be proud of its heritage, its contributions, its progress and how it is viewed by the larger community. That is a badly missing link for in the mindset of lots of aborigines â individuals and communities. And that unfortunately means that much of the monetary and other support gets wasted or is not used to its maximum.
Of course another darker side for Australia at the moment â that you didnât mention is the Trade Union movement which is trying its very hardest to stay a force regardless of what damage it inflicts on other and the nation as a whole! Theyâve lost their raison dâetre which used to be a noble one!
None of this should be construed Everald as a breakdown in my respect for you and I hope our friendship. But if friends canât level and hold different views what is the world about? Regards as always and hope you and Helen are both well
Carlo Bongarzoni
Carlo Bongarzoni Associates P/L
9 Russell Street
Clontarf NSW 2093
T/F 9948 8975; 0410 335 523
bongarzoni@optusnet.com.au