A return to the more "serious" stuff now: I've been following the Australian budget and discussions over it. It's actually quite shocking how "mainstream" the major Australian newspapers (especially the Australian) are over this--the blame for whinging and not accepting realities seems to have fallen upon Labor (the opposition). This is absurd as it's a budget that cuts funding to the vulnerable. E.g. folks have to pay to visit their GPs now, which they never had to before; Universities can set their own fees for courses, which means some courses might disappear altogether as being "not cost effective". And we all know those won't be the "real science" courses though one of the key areas cut is also funding to science research. But it's also interesting as Australia has a manageable (compared to the US) budget deficit and the economy is doing quite well. And, yet, there have been cuts in social welfare and climate-related issues--$80 billion in long-term cuts just to health and education.
To me, the issue is a good one to follow because, while Australia is similar to the US in many ways, its opposition (generally toothless lately) is actually making a fair effort to protest these cuts to social welfare. Many of the general public are angry (and protesting). There seems to be more of an awareness that "we" shouldn't let the government do this sort of thing. Though, of course, that is what happens generally during full on neoliberal/austerity reforms and, yet, nothing changes and the cuts become normalized over time, creating a society of Haves and Have-nots in which the increasing inequality is brushed under the carpet. Just like us here, in fact.
For those interested in reading about the 2014 Australian budget, the Guardian has a whole bunch of stories here.
To me, the issue is a good one to follow because, while Australia is similar to the US in many ways, its opposition (generally toothless lately) is actually making a fair effort to protest these cuts to social welfare. Many of the general public are angry (and protesting). There seems to be more of an awareness that "we" shouldn't let the government do this sort of thing. Though, of course, that is what happens generally during full on neoliberal/austerity reforms and, yet, nothing changes and the cuts become normalized over time, creating a society of Haves and Have-nots in which the increasing inequality is brushed under the carpet. Just like us here, in fact.
For those interested in reading about the 2014 Australian budget, the Guardian has a whole bunch of stories here.
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