I find it obscene that 85 people own almost half of the worlds wealth.

[margomeoz]

No wonder I like the idea of socialism that is disgusting, especially when Abbott is now going to see what he can pry from aged pensioners.

The other 50% of people deserve a share in this wealth they helped earn it for the 85 people.

[soul_art]

If couple are both working and can't afford the weekly going rate (whatever it is) then there is something seriously wrong somewhere ?

Oh and I have chosen to live in a very affordable area.  I get that some don't have that choice.

[boris1gary]

Good article debra9275,  along with just about everything else our elder's care has been turned into a commodity, something for other's to profit from be it health, education etc.

The only ones laughing are big business (especially insurance companies).
.

[monman12]

MM:  "Don't understand graps monman but I did listen to oxfarm they made sense." You are not alone MM!.

Of course they made "sense" MM because they were  reinforcing your prejudicial  opinion (and of some others here). How would you address the perceived problem?

As for the graph it splits the population into 5 slices (quintiles),  from the poorest to the richest and displays what each quintile receives in the way of benefits, and the taxes they pay.  You might notice that the highest quintile pays 10 times as much tax as the lowest, while receiving a quarter of  the total benefits.

You and others here of the other socialist persuasion are  "well intentioned" in their views (as long as it is handing over others wealth) but if you wish to "equalise" without effort,  you should also advocate  the same with taxation.

How would the  lowest quintile's benefits be funded then?

Churchill
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."

[ajarnjenny]

The house that I grew up in, overlooks the bay, in what was a small fishing village when I was growing up, is now worth over a million dollars. My parents died quite young, so it was not worth much then, but had they not died then, they would be still living in it.

Do you think that they, and others like them should be forced to sell, to live on the proceeds?

[ajarnjenny]

Well, be thankful that you don't live in the US, where there are no aged pensions, just food stamps. Yes, they have a measly social security system, that gives you back what you paid in, if you were lucky enough to have worked all of your life, without taking time off for having children or being ill.

[catsnknots]

---

@ajarnjenny wrote:

The house that I grew up in, overlooks the bay, in what was a small fishing village when I was growing up, is now worth over a million dollars. My parents died quite young, so it was not worth much then, but had they not died then, they would be still living in it.

Do you think that they, and others like them should be forced to sell, to live on the proceeds?

---

That was the question being asked.. it prompted a conversation on here a few years ago that I remember... 

And that is why I ask the question now. 

People bought in cheap out of town areas in the 60's and 70's and now they are looking to rely on the pension and their homes were of huge value now. 

Personally I would sell if that were my position.

[boris1gary]

Monman. Churchill talking about socialism - is that meant to be a joke? Goat or sheep, which one is Churchill?

One of my English teachers told me to never enter a debate using a term I don't understand.......

[***super_nova***]

Interesting, but what is the job situation over there?  I noticed that on one of these Bundaberg properties it says rental appraisal $280-$300 per week.  If you are on the basic wage with couple of pre-school kids, unless you have grandparents willing to do childminding there is not much point of the wife working as the cost of childcare would just about wipe out her income.  And mortgage repayments on $350K would be $2000 per months - I cannot find calculator for less.  But lets say repayment + rates etc. would come to $400  per week; basically people would need to make much more than low paid people make.  So they cannot afford to buy and they can hardly afford to rent, unless they go somewhere middle of nowhere where there are no jobs. 

[the_hawk*]

---

@catsnknots wrote:

---

@ajarnjenny wrote:

The house that I grew up in, overlooks the bay, in what was a small fishing village when I was growing up, is now worth over a million dollars. My parents died quite young, so it was not worth much then, but had they not died then, they would be still living in it.

Do you think that they, and others like them should be forced to sell, to live on the proceeds?

---

That was the question being asked.. it prompted a conversation on here a few years ago that I remember... 

And that is why I ask the question now. 

People bought in cheap out of town areas in the 60's and 70's and now they are looking to rely on the pension and their homes were of huge value now. 

Personally I would sell if that were my position.

---

and then where would you live ?

many miles away from friends and doctors and the area you know to go live out in the sticks where there is nothing

[polksaladallie]

---

@***super_nova*** wrote:

Interesting, but what is the job situation over there?  I noticed that on one of these Bundaberg properties it says rental appraisal $280-$300 per week.  If you are on the basic wage with couple of pre-school kids, unless you have grandparents willing to do childminding there is not much point of the wife working as the cost of childcare would just about wipe out her income.  And mortgage repayments on $350K would be $2000 per months - I cannot find calculator for less.  But lets say repayment + rates etc. would come to $400  per week; basically people would need to make much more than low paid people make.  So they cannot afford to buy and they can hardly afford to rent, unless they go somewhere middle of nowhere where there are no jobs. 

---

The houses I listed are near Brisbane.  I do not know about the availibility of jobs.

There are plenty of units and villas below $300k also.

When I was married, we started off in a flat, the rent was exactly 50% of the wage.  We used second hand furniture and saved for a cheap house. Young people starting off nowadays won't do this.

All young children need is love and care.  They don't care about their surroundings.