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I have been reading this post with a fair amount of interest.
One thing i cant work out tho and it is never mentioned when the debate turns to tax and the rich v poor.
What magical $$ figure defines rich from poor?
40,50,60 grand......which is it?
We always hear about the Packers etc and their ilk, incredibly wealthy and good luck to them, but they cannot be the sole example surely.
The vast majority of the population earns considerably less.....so the question remains:
Who are the rich?
Anyone with more dough than me.Quote:
Originally Posted by maglite
Cheers,
P :D
From another owner of a gas guzzling 4WD...........ditto to all the above.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
As for the objectors to wind farms, I don't understand what they are all about. Can anyone think of something bad about wind generators.
I can remember talking to someone who was going to go to a demo to protest the construction of the monorail in Sydney. I couldn't help having a dig at them by telling them that if their great great grandchildren are as caring as they are, they will be joining a demo 100 yrears from now because the Sydney City Council want to tear it down.
Don't get me started on smoking. ;)
Just to clarify,
All I am saying is that the tax system has made a move toward becomig fairer and many people are complaining about this
I don't understand why.
I do acknowledge and am happy about the tax cut I will recieve, that is why I said is anybody "else" happy about the cuts, implying that I am.
I do acknowledge that there are areas which require more funding but I don't see why I should pay a higher percentage for this than any other Australian (and yes, I do realise that this is never going to change!!).
I'm sure if you paid more than somebody else to join a golf club and they got to drive a buggy while you had to walk you would not be very happy. In every other aspect of life if you pay more money you get the better deal!
Thanks to whoever brought up the GST. Wasn't this to be followed by a reduction in income tax. I guess this is what has just happened so in effect they are not tax cuts at all, just evening up a system meaning we have been grossly overcharged since the introduction of GST.
Dan, you said about student unions "There are several that are conducive to improving social cohesion on campus, such as activities based events, environment, education and sport - without these many students would feel rather isolated on campus." It is great that uni students are provided social oulets but why shouldn't they pay for them as they use them? If they get a job and earn money on graduation they will have to!!
You also said "Being a university student is a unique phase of life in which many lifelong friendships and networks are established, where our political opinions and ideologies develop and change, where we can engage in freedom of expression and the free flow of ideas, debates about the meaning of life and the role of society."
I agree that political opinions can be formed, namely those against compulsory student unions!
I agree that we can have freedom of expression, ie, expressing your freedom not to contribute to a student union!
My partner attended the UQ Medicine School where she actively contributed to many clubs and organisations run by the Med school, not the University as a whole. She was also forced to contribute to the union so it could provide services she did not use.
BTW, my partner drives a fuel guzzling 4WD, the fuel for which we pay tax on :D
Remember, I started this thread not by saying I don't want the government to provide services but by saying I was sick of the fact that some people are complaining about those of us that pay alot of tax getting a bigger tax cut.
I cannot see how high income earners now being taxed less is not fair (or at least moving towards fair).
Cheers
Jack.
What about > 2 standard deviations higher than the mean? That sounds good to me. :)Quote:
What magical $$ figure defines rich from poor?
When I get there I will let you know :D :D :DQuote:
Originally Posted by maglite
Jack.
Nah, I prefer Midge's definition :DQuote:
Originally Posted by silentC
Dan,Quote:
Originally Posted by dan_tom
My partner knows exactly what student unions provide. She paid fees for 7 years for services she didn't use.
If she did use services, she would have gladly contributed to those she used, not the others.
That is what I think all students should have the freedom to do!!
Jack.
I wholeheartedly agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack E
If someone is at a university and is in financial difficulties they wouldn't want to seek help from advisors sponsored by the student union. Same goes for help with accommodation.
I'm sure they wouldn't want to look at the many notice boards maintained by the student union that are full of useful information that is used by all students every day of the week.
ALSO, along those lines I think anyone who doesn't belong to a union shouldn't expect wage rises unless they go into the bosses office and demand them. It seems that a very large portion of the Australian workforce should be embarassed about accepting a wage rise.
ALSO, I don't have kids in schools so you can take out that component of my taxes. Those little mongels are just freeloading of me.
ALSO, I'm not handicapped or unemployed so you can take the social security component out of my taxes.
ALSO, I only use roads in NSW as a rule so the component of my taxes that pays for a freeway in Melbourne can be handled by Victorians.
ALSO, I have cancers from time to time but nothing that will kill me so why should I pay for people to have chemotherapy.
ALSO, I'm not fussed about invading other countries so you can take that out of my taxes.
Oh s**t, I forgot...............I don't pay taxes. But if I did you could take all that stuff out because I don't use it.
I had a look at all the symbols on the right of this page but there don't seem to be any that show a tongue in cheek. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
I had to edit this post to add that I could give you an almost iron clad guarantee that your partner used many facilities provided by the student union. Did she get a map of the Uni when she started? Was there a noticeboard that she looked at for information every day? Was there a theatre group that gave free shows or a band that played for free and did she attend any social gatherings? Did she ever pick up a brochure of any kind? Did she ever read a book in the library that was provided by the student union?
http://www.union.unimelb.edu.au/
Have a look at any of the student union organisation and you will find that it's not all about subsidised student demos. If you have a look at a bio of politicians such as Tony Abbott you will find that they were strongly involved in student union activities and very glad of it.
50 grand (100 for couples) makes you a high income earner and a leach on the Medicare system if you don't have private health cover. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by maglite
When does get home from work? :D
I want to make a comment in this thread too! :D
If you can pay cash for your beemer and didn't care about the introduction of the GST.Quote:
Originally Posted by maglite
But I wouldn't say it's as low as $50K.
My old bank manager wanted to know how I could afford a new BMW and Landcruiser when I was only earning $25k a year :D
The joys of having ones own business (then).
When Sir Joh ran for P.M. he wanted to do exactly that , all the pollies said he was mad/senile for suggesting it could never work etc......Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack E
Now we have GST and still all the other taxes consessions deductions rebates
and we are one of the highest taxed in the world even reading all the replys in this thread is taxing
I work hard because the people on the dole depend on me!
I have stirred up a hornets nest haven't I :D :D :D
Please remember when replying to this thread that my two main points are;
1. I believe we should all pay the same tax rate, not the same amount of tax. (I have also said a couple of times throughout this thread that the services funded by taxpayers are necessary, but the tax system should be fairer).
I could find taxpayer funded services that I don't use as easily as others have highlighted the fact that there are those I do use :D :D
2. I believe student unions should be voluntary. Fair enough they provide services, if you want to use them you pay for them, welcome to the world.
I am not complaining about paying tax - just the difference in rates.
Nor am I complaining about students - I am in fact supporting many of them in their belief that they should have the freedom to choose whether they belong to a union or not.
A tradesman cannot be forced to join a union, it is up to the union to make itself attractive.
I wouldn't say that I am happy to pay tax but I do realise taxes are essential to suatain this wonderful country in which we live. :) :) :)
Jack
PS Adrian, I am not having a go at you but if you see the services provided by the government as necessary, why don't you pay tax?