Owls and Orchids

image from http://www.josephinewallart.co.uk

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
― Bernard M. Baruch

#In My Humble Opinion  

It has occurred to me that over the period I have been writing on WordPress, and before that on other forums, that I have, at all times tried to ensure that I express my own opinion. I prefer to preface or close possible contentious issues with #IMHO (#In My Humble Opinion). It may seem a fatuous waste of time but in reality it is not.

I read copiously and have done so for much of my life. My parents encouraged me to have an opinion and express it, although I’m sure there were times when they regretted their encouragement. Due to the career I originally chose I needed to be able to stand my own ground and defend my views. Often it made little difference how I personally felt; I was constrained by the rules I had to work within. I accepted that, unpalatable though it may have been.

Many people give me inspiration through their own research and opinions. I am led to find new ideas and thereby form new ideas and opinions myself. We constantly search for ways to build our knowledge and understanding of others through their ideas. Hence I have created a talking point of issues pertinent today. They are valid #In My Humble Opinion and form a small part of who I am.

image from http://www.misterk60.com                ABC Radio in operation

ABC Radio and TV 

Threatened budget cuts since the new government was elected have again brought out the cries of “censorship” from the uninformed public and some journalists.  However, the reality is that the ABC is like a sponge – it will soak up all the money thrown at it.  Some have claimed that the new government is treating the ABC harshly and some journalists are claiming that they are being requested to comment favourably on government policies or lose funding. During the last Labour Govt. it was apparent that many of the stories presented had a government view bias. Its checkered history of reporting has led to its slide from ‘grace’. Sooner or later such vacillation was bound to cause dissension. All that is necessary is fair and honest reporting without bias. #IMHO

image from onlinembapage.com               Pay as You Go

Healthcare 

Australia’s supposed free healthcare is a myth. Yes, it’s free if you can afford to wait a number of years to see a doctor or get an operation in the public system…it’s better than nothing but is a far cry from what it espouses. We have a system whereby some diseases and their effective treatment are being denied as existing and people are unable to get any help from the medical profession or health system. It is also a fact that our acceptance of these simple things means as a country we are about a decade behind other countries, such as the UK or US.

The system would be enhanced if funding and encouragement was given to Australian university students to train in medical fields to staff our hospitals.  However, #IMHO too many places are reserved for high fee paying international students, at the expense of places for our own students.  This is giving rise to a new breed of doctor called “Generalists” who are GP qualified and partially trained in another specialty; however, they do not have full accreditation in this specialty.  The general public are, by and large, uninformed of this fine distinction. #IMHO

image from theconversation.com

Welfare

I do not believe we have a good welfare system. There are those who abuse the system and those who need help are suffering because of these miscreants. Most people do everything they can to avoid getting into the tentacles of the welfare system as it is a direct means of stigmatizing people. No-one expects the Welfare System to make you wealthy. They do, however, have a fundamental right to be able to live under the welfare system. Every human being has a right to basic dignity being afforded to them. Being placed in a situation, not of their choosing by and large, to living on welfare, at or below the poverty level, does not mean that they should be treated as less than the next person. They have the same concerns for their children, their future and a way to break out of the cycle. No-one enjoys being looked down on simply because they find themselves part of the welfare system. Help to break this cycle is long overdue. #IMHO

When you combine this with a health problem, you have been ensnared by a self perpetuating monster. You have people with little money who are unable to get private health cover.  They cannot get to see a doctor of their choice. Unless they have a life threatening situation they are unlikely to get a place in the public hospital system without enduring the waiting list. They may wait for two or more years if it is decreed not to be ‘life threatening’, an arbitrary decision and their treatment can and does get deferred time and time again. No insurance and little money means no choice.  #In My Humble Opinion this is not an ideal situation.

image from Australian Customs    Refugees from life endangering situations?

The “Illegals” or Boat People. 

It has been stated that this term ‘dehumanises’ refugees and makes it easier for the Govt. to treat them adversely. The facts are that we do not know what their personal circumstances were because many destroy their own identity documents to gain entry under a false name and hide their past. Many have paid huge sums to try to arrive by boat. If they are true refugees, coming from a country where most live in poverty, where have they managed to get such a huge amount to pay the boat runners? They pay more (per person) than the cost of a first class airfare for their boat passage. It is a fact that prior to the current, not perfect screening system, the Labour Govt. allowed all “illegals” to enter, have free healthcare and welfare. They actually receive far more than an Australian citizen on welfare. I’m not omniscient but there seems to be a dichotomy present. It has been said we are the worst western country in this respect. I believe we carry one of the greatest burdens on a per capita basis in receiving the number of refugees that we do. It should be noted that for every “illegal” refugee who enters the country they displace one “legal” refugee who has waited in the camps or system queue to enter the country. Is this right? #In My Humble Opinion, this is not right.

image from commons.wikimedia.org –     Australian High Court Canberra

The Judicial system.

It is antiquated system that we work within, and has not been overhauled for decades, or centuries. We still have offenses included in the Criminal Code relating to horse drawn vehicles and the riding of horses to say the least… Yet the waiting list to get a matter before the court is extending year by year, unless of course you have money. That being noted, the system cannot claim to be impartial. This is once again the situation where, if you have money, and can afford to pay for the ‘best’ legal representation, you can be almost assured of winning your case.  If however, you cannot afford such representation, the odds are that you will lose your case and may be a guest at “Her Majesty’s pleasure”.

image from gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com  “Her Majesty’s Pleasure”.

As a global society we have a long way to go to get it right.  It has been suggested that Communism, Socialism, or Environmentalism would be a better way of governance than the Capitalism we currently have.  I personally do not believe that complete Capitalism, Environmentalism or Communism/Socialism to be the answer to governance of a country. I’m not sure any “ism” alone has the answer. From what I have noted through study and observation, at the top of every Communist ruled society, you find a coterie of Capitalists pulling the strings, which refutes the argument of purists. #In My Humble Opinion.

image from http://www.pinterest.com                     Ma’at Egyptian Goddess of Law, Balance & Truth

These are MY opinions.  I invite you to comment and share your own opinions, as healthy debate is the only way we can advance any of the matters.  These are global issues.  The details may be different where you personally reside but your commentary and opinions are still welcome.