Ask not what the Treasurer can do for you

[nero_bolt]

The federal budget is not about how the government can maintain your lifestyle

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/money/planning/ask-not-what-the-treasurer-can-do-for-you-20140525-38...

Unless you are handing out mountains of cash, a federal budget is rarely popular. Even the term "budget" is distasteful to many Australians who generally avoid running one with their own household finances. So it's little wonder when one appears each year that we have no control over, we're a little uncomfortable.

The recent federal budget, however, has uncovered a new dimension in unpopularity. I've watched and read with interest the commentary this week surrounding the budget and there is a theme, phrase and question that appears to pop up regularly. I heard it repeated again on Q&A as Joe Hockey faced a community at western Sydney. That theme or question is "How will I maintain my lifestyle?"

Now let me just state here I'm not advocating everything within the recent federal budget. I'm as cynical as the next voter when it comes to politicians and the public purse.

However, I'm curious as to why a significant portion of the population appears to support this notion that the government's job is to maintain our lifestyles.

Now, I acknowledge here that simply surviving is not always easy for the minority that are suffering genuine setbacks and need to be supported financially by society. As a society I believe we will be judged on how we look after those that are unable to look after themselves. But there is a big difference between supporting those that are unable to support themselves and helping people maintain their lifestyles.

I believe the wrong question is currently being asked of our politicians. Instead of asking the Treasurer, "how will I maintain my lifestyle?" the question should be pointed at the majority of us to answer that for ourselves.

Perhaps the first question we need to ask ourselves should be, "is my lifestyle sustainable?" The second should be, "will it give me the future I want?"

If the answer is no to either of those questions, then it's up to you to take control of your finances and do something about it. Not the government. Doing something about it means looking at your own budget, what you are spending on and taking control of your own financial situation.

Perhaps when you do that, you will discover that you may need to go without some luxuries and mod-cons that your current earning capacity really can't support.

But it will be a conscious choice rather than feeling that you're forced into it. However, it should also mean you're able to choose to spend on other things that are important and valuable to you. The key word is choice.

When we look to the government to maintain our lifestyles, we are really setting ourselves up for disappointment and failure. Instead, by becoming a conscious consumer with our own budget who takes responsibility for our own lifestyles then anything extra received from the government is a bonus that matters little if it is taken away when the next government is ushered in.

Let's ensure our leaders face the tough questions when it comes to the budget and the public purse.

However, when it comes to money and maintaining our lifestyles, let's decide to do something about that ourselves.  ***

 ** sadly I dont think that this will happen with the welfare and hand out mentality we have breed and the socialist left attitude that we are seeing in this country*** 

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/money/planning/ask-not-what-the-treasurer-can-do-for-you-20140525-38...

[fourandsixpants]

*DOH! ref . "This budget analysis was actually prepared by Joe Hockey's Media Advisor"....

Honestly?! Well, what do you know!

[fourandsixpants]

The cost of providing a cook who prepares his meals at Parliament House, an attendant, a house manager and garden maintenance for The Lodge will total $1.6 million this year, rising to $1.85 million in four years.

"So the end of the age of entitlement doesn't apply to the prime minister's residence," Labor Senator Penny Wong told a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday.

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet senior official Rebecca Cross said the rise in expenses over coming years would keep the spending in line with inflation.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/05/27/tony-abbott-gets-hotel-service-college

Alright for some ......especially hypocrites.

[boris1gary]

It seems that the LNP and its supporters can't grasp the fact that the majority of Australians don't just care about themselves, so all the fear and greed that they love to spread has been a failure, just like the bludget....oh well.

[debra9275]

I'm watching question time ATM. I would just like to say, I'd like to go in there and slap a few around the ears 🙂


That's all

[fourandsixpants]

......doesn't matter debs, they're not capable of listening anyway.

[lind9650]

Have we rendered NeroWolf speachless or has he lost his hearing?

Erica

[boris1gary]

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@paintsew007 wrote:

......doesn't matter debs, they're not capable of listening anyway.

---

They are too busy laughing at everyone, especially at the people who believed them and voted for them.

Landry Laughs at Budget Cut Hurt

http://theaimn.com/2014/05/27/landry-laughs-at-budget-cut-hurt/

[ca04]

What is the governments job is to maintain the job level so people can then maintain their own lifestyle.

This achieved by creating genuine employment  not by creating "flash" jobs by selling the farm just to

build more fences.

[fourandsixpants]

Main difficulties in finding work? ......Too many applicants for few available jobs.

Fact is, we have the exact same unemployment rate as we did back in 2003.....but the current future is very bleak. One of our main problems and threats to a brighter future is this current government and their damaging agenda.

[lind9650]

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@lind9650 wrote:

Fine, Nero.

Perhaps the first question we need to ask ourselves should be, "is my lifestyle sustainable?" The second should be, "will it give me the future I want?"

If the answer is no to either of those questions, then it's up to you to take control of your finances and do something about it. Not the government. Doing something about it means looking at your own budget, what you are spending on and taking control of your own financial situation.

Perhaps when you do that, you will discover that you may need to go without some luxuries and mod-cons that your current earning capacity really can't support.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have three children, paying high income tax. None of them begrudges paying a bit more, as long as Hockey leaves the Age Pension alone. He wants to remove the few dollars a month we get in utilities concessions, that means a couple of thousand dollars extra out of our pension we will have to pay on top of all the other costs he wants to apply. Doctors visits, Medicines etc. Already, yesterday we received a letter that our fortnightly rents will increase from 1st July, because Councils are raising rates. Grocery prices will raise more again. I have not even calculated how our new budget will stretch to pay for everything we NEED.

We were not so lucky to retire on a Super Fund. When Super was introduced my husband only had four years paid super before he had to retire with a terminal illness. The pay-out from Super was only what he contributed and not even enough for his funeral a few years later.

So now you are telling me that I am not entitled to something the Government promised years ago. We have paid taxes all out working life. The subsequent Governments have spent the money that was earmarked for our generations pension. 

Don't generalise your article.

Please tell me what luxuries I can do without? The only mod con I have is a second hand computer and a plasma TV. I don't even have a mobile phone. Everything else in my home is second hand, and when it comes to shopping, it is seldom that I can allow myself a block of Chocolate without going broke before the next pension day. Perhaps in the 78 years of my life I have never learned to budget?

Erica

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I am still waiting for an answer from NeroWolf.

It is so easy to generalise when you are in a secure job and have years ahead before you retire. I admit we have a debt that needs to be repaid as soon as possible, but with thoughtful and considerate results, not willy-nille charging every low income earners more than the rich ones. The Government has a duty to retain and create jobs for people, not sell out what is left of the Country. Who is going to pay taxes if there is no work?

Erica