This is not true in America. We have a huge underclass comprised of a segment of the African-American community and the illegal immigrant community that reject society's laws. African-American children grow up in "families" where they endure a horrendous homicide rate from their own family members who beat, bludgeon, strangle and stab them to death. Their homicide victimization rate is actually at it's near highest peak when they are newborns, declines steadily but remains horrific as they grow older. Is it any wonder that those who survive such abusive environments grow up to be angry young men that murder, rape and rob at a rate that Australians can visualize only by watching a ROAD WARRIOR movie?
Daryl wrote:Different approaches. Our national Aged Pension is paid at the same rate as the national Disability Pension at around $25k a year single rate plus various supplements. I administer the financial affairs of two very separate elderly relatives both of who have lived alone in their own homes. Despite only having this pension both have increased their bank balances over the past five years. Yet I know other friends who are professionals on over $100k a year who are always in financial trouble. My theory is that if people were to live at a 1970s lifestyle level of no take away foods or SUVs or multiple modern toys and so forth, they would all live well.
On the gun discussion, if I was a small businessman in some parts of the USA I would also keep guns for protection. As it is I'm glad that our society does not require that I do. My guns are for hunting and sport, as it would take too long for me to get them out of mandated separate storage in the unlikely event of an armed burglary. Mind you I just happen to have several display swords around & the razor sharp one and a half hand bastard broad sword would be my first choice.
On survivalist topics; I didn't plan it but just happen to live on a defensible hill, with a 200mtr drive way, own water, sewerage and electrical power, stocks of food plus large vegetable gardens. Come Armageddon I'll stick it out initially then relocate to my sister's outback place that is similar but much more so.smr wrote:Pokermind, I do not know how you survive on disability because I can not survive on it. It's impossible to survive on it without supplemental income. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Gun Control is really about 3 issues. Does the majority have a right to self-defense and protection of a person's home/business? St. Louis, MO, USA demonstrates the conclusive need for right to bear arms. Did the the government stop the rioting in a timely fashion? No! The businesses that survived had people with guns protecting them. They did not shoot anyone but their businesses were not destroyed! The rioters just went to unguarded businesses to loot. The second issue is control. Does a person become a victim by being defenseless or does the government empower the people to protect themselves in a bad situation? That's the real question is does a person become a sheep/lamb or a badger. (A badger is small animal that is extremely deadly when cornered or in their lair. A bear will avoid cornering a badger.) I have been a victim and decided I would rather be a badger. Better to shot as a wolf than slaughtered like a lamb. The third issue, their are times when civilization breaks down, anarchy rules, and evil walks the Earth. Look at Iraq, I would be dead now because I would not renounce the Lord. The issue in this case is self-defense and self-protection against the government (tyrants) or would usurpers.