Thread: How lucky, or well off are we?

You do not have to travel far to realise that we do indeed live in the best country in the world.

Hi All,
The bit that got me was, that we can wear Jewellery anywhere.
So what is it, with Brazil, that it appears that you can't do that.

Originally Posted by artme

Arnaldo and Maria Lucia were also impressed by the political and justice system here. Brazil is a basket case in both regards.

Take a good look at your attitudes and reflect on how fortunate we are.

Another way to consider it is, look at Brazil and see what Australia will be like in 20 years.

Unfortunately, I think it will happen.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi All,
The bit that got me was, that we can wear Jewellery anywhere.
So what is it, with Brazil, that it appears that you can't do that.

The level of violence in Brazil is horrendous- something like 60 THOUSAND homicides a year!

Much of the violence is due to the still very high levels of poverty. This encourages theft and this in turn is aided by
endemic corruption at every level.

Those who would steal your belongings in daylight in Brazil would have no compunction about running a knife through you
or shooting you if you resist.

Originally Posted by cava

Another way to consider it is, look at Brazil and see what Australia will be like in 20 years.

Unfortunately, I think it will happen.

I don't think so. We have a very different set of social circumstances and a very different set of laws. Politicians and
other corrupt officials in this country are regularly exposed and gaoled. This does not happen in Brazil except in extremely
rare instances.

Brazil now has a government that is so corrupt that I cannot see any chance of escape for them, apart from another military coup.
The constitution is framed in such a way as to protect the corrupt.

While I do not see things in this country as perfect I see us as being streets ahead of most places, including the USA.( Don't get me
started on that bandwagon! )

I am glad that you are optimistic regarding Australia's future - I am not. This is from first hand experience regarding our corrupt officials.

Think our Constitution protects us? Think again. The courts do not want to know - once again I write this from experience.

Consider this, all documents produced by the courts are supposed to have a 'seal of the court' as authority. Apart from the Supreme Court, none do. Without the seal, there is no Government authority.

Perhaps this is the reason why, in Victoria at least, the courts are registered businesses - from QLD if memory serves me. If I find the registration documents, I will post them.

I've never been there but we have a number of Brazilian relatives. One of my uncles there ran a fuel freight business and he told me that he had to be extremely careful about who he did business with because if he upset someone, that someone could hire someone else to kill him for about US$20 (That was back in the 70's - prices may have gone down since).

Originally Posted by artme

Safety, respect for road rules, free public parks, barbeques, museums and art galleries. The ability to wear jewellery anywhere,
anytime. The friendliness and helpfulness of people. Cleanliness, sporting facilities and hospitals in abundance. Good quality
educational facilities.

...and compared to Japan, Australia falls short on many of those. Likewise, I could give a long list of Japans shortcomings...

It changed the way I look at things, living overseas. We have plenty of room for improvement.

Originally Posted by q9

...and compared to Japan, Australia falls short on many of those. Likewise, I could give a long list of Japans shortcomings...

It changed the way I look at things, living overseas. We have plenty of room for improvement.

Have to agree there. I spent time in Japan last year and I could easily live there on account of the honesty of the people,
their friendliness and the cleanliness of the place.

Yes, Aus. does fall short in many areas but on balance we do pretty well, as do the Kiwis, and Canadians, the Norwegians, Danes and Swedish.

Chile is another country for which I have a soft spot. I have had nothing but good experiences there. Considering the sad history of the Pinochet
era Chileans are remarkably happy and optimistic. Argentinians, from my experience are confused. There is this great national pride mixed with
arrogance and a sense that others have done them injustices - particularly over the Falklands.

I think we tend to naval gaze and either whinge about our lot in life r put on the rose tinted glasses. Traveling overseas, living overseas, keeping
an open mind and being observant are critical in developing a sense of our place in the world both as a nation and as individuals.

Originally Posted by cava

I am glad that you are optimistic regarding Australia's future - I am not. This is from first hand experience regarding our corrupt officials.

Think our Constitution protects us? Think again. The courts do not want to know - once again I write this from experience.

Consider this, all documents produced by the courts are supposed to have a 'seal of the court' as authority. Apart from the Supreme Court, none do. Without the seal, there is no Government authority.

Perhaps this is the reason why, in Victoria at least, the courts are registered businesses - from QLD if memory serves me. If I find the registration documents, I will post them.

Interesting comments to say the least and I would be very interested in more detail.

Constitutions are funny things. Britain has an unwritten constitution and that works for them.
The USA has a written constitution and it appears to be
quite prescriptive - at least that's how it appears from my understanding some of the courts' rulings. The law in the US seems to be derived from the constitutio
which is venerated like the bible .In any case the place is a mess.
Australia's constitution seems to be a mix of prescription and "" Let's leave this to the courts"".
Our laws are basically derived from acts of parliament. Well that's my small understanding!

Talking about corruption, how about our local Lord Mayor. And the majority of councillors support her!

It's been said, "Politicians are like tomatoes....they start off green, turn red and end up rotten"

I think I would add "Some politicians"

The story of your visitors is a nice eye opener, thanks artme.
Reminds me of the following SMH articles;
Tool that compares your income shows most Australians are out of touch
and
Budget 2016: Rich or poor, how do you stack up?

I think it an interesting thought experiment to predict a future where the median/average is the moral high ground, and where the financially super-successful try to out do each other in improving the lot of the majority...

regs,
A.

Originally Posted by artme

Interesting comments to say the least and I would be very interested in more detail.

When I finish going through the courts, and if I am so inclined, I just might write my experiences - we shall see.