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.

[**meep**]

"And meep aged pensions are in the sights of the government at the moment."

Yes, I understand that's what Mr Shorten is saying.  He is just doing his job, I guess, but I did not hear him saying anything of substance on this issue.

"But Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews said the age pension would be quarantined from a review of welfare rules, to be headed by former Mission Australia head Patrick McClure."

"Mr Shorten would not be drawn on whether current welfare spending was sustainable."

[*crikey*mate*]

---

@margomeoz wrote:

Your kidding they pay less taxes than the average garbage man. and you have proof of that?

The are in Switzerland now with Tone to try and get more than they have already. Doing what?

They need to employ heaps of people because they would have no wealth without their workers. and without the employers? who would employ the people? who would pay them? the government can't support them now, what happens when they don't have jobs? Who would support them then, Margo? You?

And meep aged pensions are in the sights of the government at the moment.

There is going to be a major welfare overhall they are reviewing the aged pension that is disgusting.

They're reviewing it, how can you be disgusted before you even know what they might do?

Ya know what they are overhauling? welfare cheats. Yep, all those people who ring centrelink and tell em they earn the $44,ooo a year, so they qualify for the healthcare card, knowing they have the buffer of some money paid to children if they "accidentally under estimate" You know, people rorting the health system? The reason why they're now considering the co payment?

that's already in progfress with half yearly reporting now instead of every second year.

The babyboomers most of them did not even get to start super till late in life.

---

you don't even know yet, if or how the pensioners will be affected.

[***super_nova***]

[**meep**]

Was it fair to cut single parent's pension?

Who was it that said they could live on $35 a day?  That's $245 per week.

[freakiness]

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@**meep** wrote:

Was it fair to cut single parent's pension?

Who was it that said they could live on $35 a day?  That's $245 per week.

---

No, it probably wasn't fair but they didn't set the precendent. Perhaps they should have increased the other single parents payments rather than reducing the second lot or raised the earnings threshold so those working did not lose out.  It hasn't been called a pension for years. Parenting payment, single or partnered.   I am not against the principle of making single parents work or study.  I'm against using the welfare system and people who get a payment by implying that those getting payments are rip off merchants who cost the country dearly and don't deserve the measly bit they get..

We do have systems in place to reduce the aged care pension burden. Future generations have the benefit of super funds which will reduce the need for aged pensions.   That's some serious future planning.  

[carls*world]

It's all just a big game of Monopoly. One winner will end up with the lot, as they compile more and more of the lowest level's wealth, then swallow up those at the mid levels, then start eating each other, until the biggest takes the rest of the 1% out.

[margomeoz]

Supernove I love that cartoon.

Carls world you are right they nearly have it all now anyway.

[topsidesoul]

I think it was Pope Francis who said that the so called 'Trickle down effect' of capitalism is not working because the cup is getting bigger.

Happy to have wealthy people so long as they do positive things for society with their money.

Case in point.....Lord Monckton telling those in the Australian  mining industry (hello Gina)  to buy up the media to use as a mouthpiece to support the industry (hello channel 10 and Sky news)

.

 There is only so much wealth you can make before you run out of time to enjoy the spoils. The best thing to do with ones money sometimes is to see how it helps someone other than yourself.

[**meep**]

I couldn't agree with you more, Freaki

And yes, I was referring to Single Parenting Payment (not Pension, my mistake) being replaced by Newstart. 

[topsidesoul]

Then there are obscene things like two billionares in India who are trying to build bigger houses (skyscrapers) than each other which both look over ghettos and shanty towns of people digging through garbage.

What do you get out of having the biggest house?

In defense Nova, wealthy people do infact work hard. Actually work smarter and a bit of luck they end up wealthy.