Questionable leadership by all political parties

Determining and implementing a tax regime which aims to keeps our nation content and productive, is clearly not an easy task. Given it would be mission impossible for many of us; we rely on our elected leadership to execute such measures to ensure unity, security, prosperity as well as planning  future  needs which will enhance our nation’s reputation as the Lucky Country.

Some of this we see and too much we do not.

Many of us are weary of political point scoring, bickering, the lack of mutual understanding and co-operation.  Ironically it seems, the only times we experience political unity (apart from personal gains) is when we go to war (often unwisely) or during serious tantrums by Mother Nature.

Many of us are weary of the poor standards set by governments of any brand with too frequent accounts of wasteful expenditure, lack of bipartisan support for future projects, splintering national unity and violating the very base of leadership with poor examples (Do as I say, not as I do) such as:
– Serious cuts to welfare and yet continuing to accept frequent increases to already lucrative parliamentary salary and allowances. At the same time
–  wasteful and expensive expenditure, individually and collectively, while urging thrift from the nation at large.

Among many questionable organisations is a very expensive Discrimination Board which far from being productive, spews out political correctness from an unedited homemade bible.   Far from uniting, it fragments our people with a theme of “them and us”

Spending billions on a conventional submarine fleet which will be operational in 25 years plus, despite the incredible speed of advanced science and technology as evidenced by the fact that other countries already have drone surface and underwater vessels on the drawing board.

The list goes on and on.

If only we had the vision to pay more attention to the basic essentials of our society which are needed to ensure there is a tomorrow. One of which is the education of our most valuable national asset, our youth, including physical, mental and social disciplines to meet the demands of an increasing complex society.  They will not master such essential skills by texting.

Tax by all means, but can we have more sense and purpose to what we do with it?

 

Today’s Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly robbed Banks to give to the poor 

He was a hero to the people, no matter where he rode

Today his iron is worn by others who steal even more

Their pockets heavy with coin as they dine in rich abode 

Politicians give from one hand and take more with the other

Always on Budget Night, smoke and mirrors are at play

Thus, no matter what is said, they’ll still tax your poor old mother

By hook or by crook, young, old and in between in many a sly way 

The fingers of Government are in every pie and prods you, soon or late

GST, Licenses, Registration, Tolls and many tricks and ruses unseen

Big Buckets, barrows and trucks of gold pour through treasury gates 

Yet national debt grows; and always is a red light and never, never green  

Whenever struggling folk dig deep into mostly empty pockets 

The greedy tax man is grabbing precious family crumbs as his share

If you dare to claim a deduction with a docket

Watch out for the red tape which will soon become your nightmare

Another budget speech has been given to all 

Glib political chameleons have spoken and confusion reigns supreme 

Our people have doubts with tomorrow’s journey and its Ports of Call

Mind you; we’re still not too sure where we’ve already been

Once were promises of infrastructure and intent for even the North  

New roads, dams, hospitals and the world’s food basket for all to see

The order was given for all of us to get ready to go forth

Now cobwebs and moss gathers where the rolling stone was to be

  

Ned of course knew none of this future deceit and foul play 

He was honest enough to say “Give me your gold or there’s strife”

If he had owned a crystal ball, and known of the legalized robberies today 

His last words could well have been “I was born too early; such is life”

George Mansford © May 2018