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Talk:Democratic Socialism (view source)
Revision as of 18:24, November 13, 2016
, 18:24, November 13, 2016Created page with "What is the problem with combining democracy, civil liberties, and socialism? In Australia we have been doing it for years. Those on the right nibble away at one side while th..."
What is the problem with combining democracy, civil liberties, and socialism? In Australia we have been doing it for years. Those on the right nibble away at one side while the left does its best to make inroads into the other. But by and large they cancel each other out. The Murdoch press carries on about the unions while the Fairfax papers slam the banks.
::Whatever else happens, we're socialist (Sort of. By your standards.) I'm 72. I get a pension. So does my 67 y.o. wife. It is tax free. I can make a certain amount before this pension is reduced. We both have health issues that require drugs. Mine are the usual heart related - aspirin, beta blocker, statins etc., They cost about $5 a script until about September each year when the "safety net" kicks in then they don't cost me (or Susan) a thing till January. I get 30% off my home and property rates, and automobile registration, driving license, plus various amounts off public transport, picture theatres and the like. My local doctor, of course, is free. As is treatment at a public hospital. (And here, the public hospital system is second to none if you are really in strife.)
And every three years, Federal, and four years, State, I (we) call in at one of the local school halls and cast my (our) vote(s). It rarely takes more than 15 minutes for the four members of our family to do our civic duty. Unlike in America where you can stand out in the snow for hours, democracy here is quick and simple and easy. And almost foolproof.
:And compulsory. It negates the squeaky wheel.
:And none of us has been shot recently.
:[[User:AlanE|AlanE]] ([[User talk:AlanE|talk]]) 01:08, 13 November 2016 (EST)
::Whatever else happens, we're socialist (Sort of. By your standards.) I'm 72. I get a pension. So does my 67 y.o. wife. It is tax free. I can make a certain amount before this pension is reduced. We both have health issues that require drugs. Mine are the usual heart related - aspirin, beta blocker, statins etc., They cost about $5 a script until about September each year when the "safety net" kicks in then they don't cost me (or Susan) a thing till January. I get 30% off my home and property rates, and automobile registration, driving license, plus various amounts off public transport, picture theatres and the like. My local doctor, of course, is free. As is treatment at a public hospital. (And here, the public hospital system is second to none if you are really in strife.)
And every three years, Federal, and four years, State, I (we) call in at one of the local school halls and cast my (our) vote(s). It rarely takes more than 15 minutes for the four members of our family to do our civic duty. Unlike in America where you can stand out in the snow for hours, democracy here is quick and simple and easy. And almost foolproof.
:And compulsory. It negates the squeaky wheel.
:And none of us has been shot recently.
:[[User:AlanE|AlanE]] ([[User talk:AlanE|talk]]) 01:08, 13 November 2016 (EST)