Don't Cut Aid to Palestine Mr Abbott - Cut Immigration

Tony Abbott is back in front of the media today sharing his opinion on cutting aid to Palestine. Mr Abbott is having a lot to say recently about things he wasn’t prepared to do when he was PM. Wise after the event it appears. But on this issue I disagree with him.

In the case of aid to Palestine we are talking under $50million. In the scheme of government spend not a huge amount.

Australia is a supporter of the two-state solution. To a layperson as I am, that seems to me to be a sensible solution to the Palestinian Israeli conflict. But I can’t see that ever happening whist Israel keeps stealing land. Whilst the population isn’t as large as it was it is not just Muslims who suffer as a result of Israeli insurgence and sanctions. Palestinian Christians suffer as well. 

The latest issue of aid is mired by the possibility that aid is funnelled to terrorists. Who would know? FM Julie Bishop has previously cut aid to World Vision due to accusations (strenuously denied by them and currently before the courts) that aid was ending up in the hands of terrorists. It will be interesting to hear the court ruling which if memory serves me correctly is due in February.

I don’t think we can ever guarantee that not a single dollar from foreign aid will end up in the hands of terrorists. The same applies to any other group intent on rorting our goodwill for that matter; foreign or local. So before we jump on the bandwagon consider this.

Spending money on foreign aid does actually have the potential to reduce our costs due to fewer refugees. If we provide aid and protection to displaced persons in their own or neighbouring countries it is far less costly than providing support here. In fact it makes sense to increase aid and cut all humanitarian immigration; at least for the time being. Aid, also has the potential to reduce the volume of illegal asylum seeker traffic intent on making it to Australia. Whist this is under control now it certainly won’t be if Labor were to win the next election.

My second point is possibly the more contentious of the two. If you drive a car, rely on public or commercial transport or use products that contain oil, then the chances are we too will have inadvertently funded terrorism. The world of Middle East oil trading is extremely shady. We know from reports that ISIS has sold stolen oil to Middle Eastern countries who on sell to the west. In addition to selling to those developing countries where a lot of foreign goods come from. We also know or suspect that some of the biggest traders also fund terrorists. I suspect that trade is far more lucrative for terrorists than our foreign aid to Palestine. Think about that next time you buy your new phone or laptop; and even your cosmetics.

In cutting aid, it might make some of us feel better but it is people, including many children who will suffer. As for those who say if we cut this aid we won’t have to slug pensioners. I think that is a bit short-sighted. The changes to pensioner entitlements aren’t just about cutting current costs. They are also setting the groundwork to reduce rapidly increasing future costs and breaking the middle class welfare mentality.

This piece about aid to Palestine comes directly from the government website.

"The PTs (consisting of the West Bank and Gaza Strip) is one of the poorest regions in the Middle East. The 2014 United Nations Human Development Index, measuring life expectancy, standard of living and education, rated the PTs 107 out of 187 countries. Some 22 per cent of the Territories’ people are food insecure, 26 per cent live in poverty and 25 per cent are unemployed. These figures have all deteriorated over the past 20 years, leading the United Nations to refer to the PTs as having undergone a process of 'de-development'. 

The PTs face formidable constraints to economic development including the physical separation of territory, a lack of control over territorial borders and key natural resources such as land and water, restrictions on movement of goods and people, and the ever present threat of violent conflict. The Gaza Strip experiences development constraints akin to the West Bank but is further challenged by extreme population density, heavier restrictions on the movement of people and goods and a tiny land mass."

I’ve also read to extremely confronting and enlightening pieces recently which have influenced my views.

Palestinian Christian: Western Christians Don't Understand Gaza/Israeli Conflict

Why I am anti-Zionist Jew

The people of Palestine are prisoners. Whilst I have the same concerns about terrorism as anyone else, I simply can’t condone cutting funding to these poor people. For those who suffer the most are the old and defenceless and the children. They deserve better.

So no Mr Abbott, we should not be cutting aid to Palestine. Perhaps we should be increasing our aid budget and stopping immigration. That would save us I suspect a lot more in the long run; economically and socially.

A Government in Disarray

So we end 2016 with the continuation of depressing headlines about the LNP Government.  Front and centre, we have Mr Abbott laying the blame squarely at the feet of Mr Turnbull, pointing the finger with claims “it's all his fault.” Laying down the challenge that Liberal unity is Malcolm Turnbull’s duty. Wise words from someone who was incapable of holding the party together himself. 

I'm fast reaching the view that no one can hold this party together. Abbott certainly couldn't, Turnbull can't. There are too many factions who are simply not willing to compromise. We have far too many 'look at me' 'look at me' inflated egos sitting on the backbench. There are certainly far too many manipulating behind the scenes; within Government, Federal and States. Then we have the deal makers. It's a sodding mess.  

The attitude of some that it's my way or else is endemic. The constant veiled threats of 'I'm going to take my ball and play in another field' if you don't meet my demands are frankly childish. Malcolm Turnbull should haul the likes of Bernardi, Christensen and even Abbott into his office and read the riot act. “Pull your heads in or blasted well go. Enough of the games.” If they walk and that means we go back to the polls, so be it. Labor will romp in and probably stay there for fifty blasted years. 

I’ve reached the point of beyond caring. Why should I continue to defend this bunch of self absorbed egotist? I'm disgusted with the lot of them. I mean the lot of them. As for those holding Turnbull totally responsible for this, wake up! Yes, he played a role but this mess isn't just down to one person. One way or another, they are all to blame. Voters who continue to play the game of ‘voter roulette’ and want to continue the old ‘oh we don’t like him chuck him out we want another’ are equally at fault for geeing up the renegades. 

The tragedy is, some of the good things that have been achieved over the past few months get lost in the wash. The duplicity of Labor hardly gets a mention and therefore the challenges besetting the country because of that are rarely discussed. 

To quote an old Aussism. The place has gone to the dogs. 

I hope you have a Merry Christmas because I very much doubt we’ll be having a very Happy New Year if we continue to go down the same path. 

If You Come Across An Angel

Something different today from my usual political rant. This day twelve months ago I said my final goodbyes to my husband. It was the second hardest day of my life. So today has been a day of reflection, memories and sharing. It was a result of that sharing that I came across this piece.

If You Come Across An Angel

Every day, in the world around us, real-life angels are doing the things they do and bringing more smiles to the world around them.

Real-life angels build bridges instead of walls. They don't have hidden agendas. They tend to be the ones who understand what you're going through. If they sense that you're hurting, they do whatever they can to help you. Real-life angels understand difficulties and always give the benefit of the doubt.

They don’t hold others up to standards they can't live by themselves. They are what “inner beauty” is all about. They don't hold things against you. They only thing they hold.. is you ..

They take your hand in theirs when you could use some guidance and direction in your life. And they support you in your attempts to do what is right.

Real-life angels multiply your smiles and add to your integrity. If you if You Come Across An Angel, you are one of the luckiest people of all. If someone in your life is like an angel to you, it's important to thank them … for the blessing.

~ Douglas Pagels

I've been blessed in having many angels in my life. Both real-life and the other kind. I wouldn't have got through the last twelve months without them. It made me think that perhaps that is what is wrong with our world today. We have too few real-life angels. People who really care and are there to help us up when we are hurting or struggling. To hold out a hand when we fall and to help us back on the path when we stray.

So as we head into the final few days before Christmas and then onto New Year and the resolutions we all make, my wish would be. That more and more people made a resolution to be a real-life angel in 2017 and beyond. What a wonderful world we would see emerge if they did. My resolution will be, to at try and do more than I do to help others who need it.

To quote John Lennon. "You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will be as one."

My Non-traditional Christmas Tree

I wanted to do something different this year rather than just put up the usual Christmas Tree. If truth be known, I was also a bit worried about my cat, the orange flash. This is his first Christmas and he is into everything. But, I was looking for something that had a meaning. So, I decided to decorate a cherry blossom. 

The Cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful, but that it is also tragically short. 

December for me is a more somber month, as I reflect on the passing of three members of my family including my much loved husband, Richard. In 2016 we also welcomed new members into our family. For one of those new members the passing of a life holds special memories having lost her baby daughter some years ago. 

So, my tree is a symbol of the remembrance of those we have lost and the celebration of the beauty of their lives. Recognition of and welcome to the news ones we have gained. And, a reminder that the most important thing in life is love and to treasure each moment we have with those we hold most dear.  That for me is what Christmas is all about. 

So from mine to yours. Merry Christmas. 

How long are we going to continue letting ourselves off the hook?

The usual brigade of conservative knockers are having a field day commenting on columns in the media about the senate mess. And, the compromises made by the government in getting legislation through over the past few weeks. Many of the comments are along these lines.

“You can't blame voters for voting in cross-benchers.  More and more voters are desperate for a decent government.” True, we are desperate for better government across the board. But, YES I CAN AND I DO blame voters for some of the mess. I wonder how long we are going to continue letting ourselves off the hook.

Never has the comment ‘you reap what you sow’ been truer. .

You may not agree with what I am about to say, but it's what I believe based on my experiences. What I read and hear.

We are never going to change how major parties function if we don’t get involved. The percentage of voters who join political parties is pathetically small & it continues to fall. We will never drive the necessary change sitting on the outside chucking rocks. Or, if we continue to simply use the ballot box to wallop parties at election time. That achieves nothing but the chaos we have now.

I believe in the values of the LNP. But, we have problems. We are a diverse group. A mix of Liberals and Conservatives. It is indeed a broad spectrum or 'broad-church' as John Howard labelled it. That causes a lot of friction both within and outside of the party. We appear incapable of reaching a middle ground where everyone feels they have won something. That goes for our elected representatives as well as those of us out here in 'voter land'. Far too many expect everything to go their way. That's not fair nor is it facing reality. We should be critical of silly decisions, absolutely. But many of the criticisms levelled at the current government in my opinion are unfair. The constant whinge that they do nothing is wrong. They may not do everything you or I desire but they are getting things done under difficult circumstances. Trouble is a lot of people use FB or Twitter as their reference source without looking at what is actually being delivered.

I know I shouldn’t read the comments sections in the media. All it achieves is to make me feel more desperate about our country and our society. But, I do read them. More fool me. Ripping into politicians in the comments section achieves little. If it did, things would be changing. They're not. Neither will whinging about it on social media.

People have to be involved where it matters. We need more on the front-line. We need more to join parties. Or get involved where they can help drive the change we so desire. I accept many people don’t want to join political parties. But numbers are dangerously low. This has to be addressed. People need to given a good reason why involvement is important.

We live in a democracy. Albeit a democracy that is a tad flawed. But, it's better than any alternative I’ve seen. This means “rule by the people”. It is therefore important that people should have a say in what happens and what is decided.

Politics is all around us. Decisions people make on our behalf affect our everyday life, from jobs, economic security, physical security, health, schools to travel to our environment.

So how do people have their say and influence what is decided? There are many ways; some of them include

•          Campaigning,

•          Signing a petition,

•          Joining political parties and,

•          Becoming involved in pressure groups,

•          Voting. Voting it appears is the only thing far too many people do.

Let's face it; there is a hell of a lot more non-members than members. We have power. But it's got to be directed to where it gets the greatest traction. I believe that's working at party level. We’ve heard ad nauseam that branches are stacked. True, many are because there are not enough of us who are not driven by blind idealism signing up.

Far too many people don't do their homework before they vote. I've tested that time and again. I never cease to be amazed why people vote for candidates they know so little about. Politicians don't just lob up. We put them there. So whilst we can all be outraged and hacked off with those senators who we've witnessed over the past week playing politics and embarking on ego boosting power trips. We put them there. A little bit of homework prior to the election might have just given people the hint of what to expect. I do wonder how many of those throwing bricks at politicians are actually prepared to stand themselves. Obviously, it’s not very many.

One of those commenting in the Australian today, in fact, one of those who said ‘don't blame voters’ came up with this list.

In the next election, can we please have it writ large…..

• Career Politicians - DO NOT APPLY.  Taxpayers will doubtless shoot you on sight.  Your day is done.

• Requirements for Politicians: HONEST, blunt speaking, patriotic persons to apply ONLY. Not declaring past illegal behaviour will ensure you receive a jail sentence.  Any candidate who thinks they must do and act instantly on instructions from any and/or all unions will be refused entry to the parliament.  (Guards are now armed with live ammunition to take care of such miscreants. 

• Deterrents:   Unions/unionists need NOT apply.  ANY past association with unions will immediately disqualify you.  Any unionist who has appeared before TURC.

•  Independents:  Only those prepared to put their country FIRST and not their petty pipedreams need only apply.  All independents, upon election, must sign (in their own blood) to NEVER EVER hold the Govt to ransom in passing Bills that benefit the country.  ALL Bills must be viewed on their merits - and not what you think will get your own personal thought bubbles passed. 

Another added:

1. Make parliament sit for a minimum of 150 days per year. This year they sat for just over 40 days. The US Congress averages 140 days a year.
2. There should be a law that if the party in government wants to change its leader mid term there needs to be a plebiscite and the Australian People approve the change or it doesn't happen. Political parties need to know we find this dumping of Prime Ministers to be unacceptable.
3. Have fixed elections, every THREE years. Many people propose fixed four year terms but that is too long given how poor our governments are and out of sync with our senate system. You don't need 4 years to get your ideas up and running. Whitlam had most of his work done before the first parliament even sat :-) 

I'm not sure I'd be quoting the Whitlam era as the pinnacle of good government. But, I'm not on the right of politics and it's her opinion.

There are some sensible suggestions, albeit some a tad emotive and perhaps a bit misguided.

I posted my views expressing that I do blame voters. We appoint these people via either ticking the box when we vote. Or by just accepting what is served up by way of candidates.

I think this following reply to one of my comments sort of proves my point.

“I think you are being a tad unrealistic. Firstly, most people only think about politicians only when what they are implementing impacts on them personally.  Secondly, not all people are interested (even remotely) in politics.  Just like the mere thought of studying astronomy makes my eyes glaze over.  Most people rely on intuition, or blind faith in the party of their choice to get the right pollie.”

Well, that intuition and blind faith is really working isn’t. You wouldn't buy a house, or a new car or even a laptop without doing your homework. But there are people who rely on their intuition and blind faith when choosing the group who makes decisions that impact on nearly every area of our lives.

Another suggested I needed to be a bit more respectful. Stating, “It is the politicians who promise much and deliver little. All the research in the world cannot overcome blatant hypocrisy and irresponsibility by the politicians they elect. On almost every issue spoken about you could use as an example.

Voters do not all have to be actively involved in the political scene to be responsible citizens.

We are to be responsible citizens in whatever field of endeavour we are involved. And so we expect the same of those involved in the political scene.

I'm glad voters express their comments here as it provides a great way to provide not only direct feedback to our political leaders, but also some common sense insights that the media often miss.”

Yes, to be fair I do read the occasional commonsense input to media columns. The vast majority however are simply rants.

But if too many people feel the same as those responding to my comments do. If more and more just stand back and put all of the blame on those we elect without considering that perhaps some of this is down to us, how will it improve?

The bottom line is, if we as citizens are not prepared to put our hands up, nothing will change. We’ll just continue to see an endless procession of career politicians, staffers and union hacks augmented by cause activist independents sitting in our parliament. If we as citizens are not prepared to do our homework and just vote on gut feel or a slick PR address then don't complain when we end up with rabble.

I contribute a lot of political input via membership, lobbying, talking to people and yes, writing blogs. But I could do more. I need to look at ways of achieving that.

There is no Messiah out there who is going to save us. At the risk of being accused of over use of cliché, “No pain, no gain.” If we want change and we sure as hell need it, we need to “invest a bit of our own skin.”