The national deception beguins

[martinw-48]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-04/tax-cuts-and-spending-cuts/11273454

Tax cuts for all but if you read the whole story low and middle income earners will pay more tax in three years time.
I have a perfect tax minimisation plan. Death, hopefully instigating asap

[springyzone]

What I have taken from that report is that the proposed cuts are coming through in stages and I liked the bit they highlighted. "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." That's for sure.

You can bet your bottom dollar that if the situation changes 5 years down the track, they won't keep exactly to the plan.

The bit I noticed is they need productivity plus population growth to drive economic growth so if the productivity doesn't come up to projections, they would be likely to increase immigration. I think that's a bad idea because I live in Melbourne, where services are just not keeping up now with population growth. Roads are overcrowded, ditto transport, housing blocks have shrunk to nothing in size but not in price etc.

If they are hoping to decrease welfare (which is mentioned in the report), then they would need to look very carefully at only allowing skilled migrants in or they will miss the boat on that one.

Martin, don't let reports like this depress you too much as a lot of it may never come to pass, or not exactly as it is projected right now.

No one can properly predict the future. I wish i could pass you some hope as I think you might be feeling a bit down at the moment.

Take heart from one part of that report, that in the short term, any tax cuts/interest rate cuts etc will hopefully allow for more employment opportunities.

[martinw-48]

Fifty two years of life have taught me that the overall trend is a decline in living standards.
My annual income hasn't gone up since 1992.
I get paid more per hour but get less work every year

[chameleon54]

@ Martin, you and I are probably more similar in circumstances than you might suspect. As noted recently, Theres a lot of stuff I dont mention on the boards.

One of the difficult things for us fifty something blokes is to meet with and engage with others of similar age, with similar interests in a social enviroment. Theres plenty of stuff for the girls, but unless you are into the boozy, pub betting, sports culture or earn lots of money and play golf, theres very little for the blokes. Social isolation can be a common but hidden problem for blokes of our age, especially if physical impairment is an issue..

Would it help to join a service club such as Apex or Lions or volunteer as a driver for Meals on Wheels ? It would be a good way to get out and mix socially. The other benefit is by helping others, we often get as much back as we give.

The wife is telling me I should retire early ( due to health problems ) but I will probably try to continue to at least age sixty. ( its becoming a struggle, but I love what I do ) With this in mind I am already looking at what charities and service clubs I can join to keep busy and mix socially once I retire.

[brerrabbit585]

Plenty of stuff for the girls???? The only 'social' event I know of locally is the local book group that meets at the library, which is okay if you haven't got a brain and love listening to complete drivel, like the woman who said life is so boring and that's why we need gossip, or the woman who said that fairies are real because she saw one once (now I know where her kids inherited their mental problems from). I often use the computer at the library and I try to time it so I'm not there when they have their meetings.

[gutterpunkz05]

I am a Hermit,  and I must be one of the happiest people on earth.  I do what I want, when I want.  I have a million things to do and never enough time to complete most of them.  The doctors say I have health problems, but I don't believe them and they don't believe that I can still do what I do.

There are only 2 certainties in life,  Death  & Taxes..................I am trying to avoid both for as long as possible.

[chameleon54]

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@gutterpunkz05 wrote:

I am a Hermit,  and I must be one of the happiest people on earth.  I do what I want, when I want.  I have a million things to do and never enough time to complete most of them.  The doctors say I have health problems, but I don't believe them and they don't believe that I can still do what I do.

There are only 2 certainties in life,  Death  & Taxes..................I am trying to avoid both for as long as possible.

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Same here. Not completely a hermit though as my business means I am seeing and talking to people every day. One of the things I havnt bothered to mention is I had a workplace injury around 30 years ago. I sustained permenent spinal injuries and the doctors told me I would never work again and I should go on the invalid pension immediately. ( And yes, still elligable and could start on the invalid pension tommorow if I wanted too ......  ) 

It hasnt always been easy and I suffer chronic pain, but I just keep on working, doing what I love. The injuries are starting to slow me down a bit now, but I suspect how people cope with physical disabilities and managable chronic pain  is more about attitude than anything else. 

Mental Health issues.......Well thats a completely different ball game.

@ rabbit - Yes I suppose it depends very much on where you live. The missus is involved in all sorts of groups, but we live in a very large regional centre / small city, so there is a lot on offer.

[springyzone]

I think you are so right, chameleon.

 I can understand Martin might feel a bit down, because his circumstances might be difficult at the moment. Everyone needs hope.

I think it is a great idea to join some groups or even do some volunteer work, maybe for a local op shop or charity if there is somewhere local. Or voluteer work at a local pet shelter. Whatever is an interest.

You can't underestimate how helpful contacts can be. Sometimes when people know you or know your circumstances, if they hear of something, they will often think of you. Word of mouth etc

[martinw-48]

I've been driving the Coleraine community car for over ten years.
I am under immense pressure from my EC not to do it because volunteer work is not recognized by the government for mutual obligation for under fifty fives.
They will breach me if I don't work in order to drive the car.
I've had fifty two years of of rubbish.
My father beat me daily.
Went to school was bashed by the teachers.
Corporal punishment ended in 1980.
My fellow students started to bash me.
Got fed up with it.
Smashed the **bleep** out of a heap of bullies.
They left me alone.
It's not a little while.
I've had fifty two years of rubbish.
I'm allowed to be sick of it.
I'm allowed to look forward to whatever happens at the end

[martinw-48]

It's also extremely sad that my life hasn't been as bad as some have had it.
Not for me but for the other abused children
Better to be the son of an angry psycho than a sex abuser thankfully my parents never sent me to church either.