After much debate over the latest ‘work for the dole’ scheme and attending Nobel Laureate Prof. Joseph Stiglitz’s ‘Income Inequality’ lecture I thought it timely to revisit the concept of lifting vs. leaning. I touched on this in an earlier post.

Anti-narcissism

For right winged liberal capitalists, time on earth is typically measured by a key metric, money. How much can I make, how fast can I make it and how can I use it to improve my living standards.

Consider a collectivist notion of thinking about other people. Perhaps supporting your partner, family or children. Statistics prove that we are ALL going to need to rely on welfare at some point in our lives. Whether we become ill, need time off work to grieve or grow old – welfare is a social functioning instrument that can be described perfectly by the old saying ‘what goes around comes around’.

The launch of Superannuation by Keating in 1992 was a masterstroke by the Labor Government.  Mandatory savings that can be accessed upon retirement.  If only we all saved a little extra that could be accessed when we needed time off work , were grieving, had fallen ill etc too? I know I used a huge chunk of savings when I was sick for while.  Then we really wouldn’t need welfare!

Work, more than just an income

After studying ‘Work and employment’ copious amounts of research proved that work fuels social cohesion and reduces anti-social behaviour. Having routine, discipline, respecting authority, exercising the mind, having daily contact with a variety of different people all maintain a level of emotional health otherwise unattainable from choosing your own adventure each day.

The recent budget delivery proved labour productivity was key to maintaining our high living standards in Australia. Yes from an economic perspective, but from a social perspective it also is keeping people off the streets and mentally stimulated. Most of the homeless people you will meet have low emotional wellbeing. It’s all too often forgotten that such a huge component of our makeup as people is mental, as well as physical.

I support Tony Abbott’s new work for the dole scheme and believe it is a strategic policy making initiative not aimed at reducing the amount of leaners to reduce the tax burden but also to improve their overall wellbeing. Work is VIP beyond the fact that you earn money and pay taxes to support the community!

Breaking the cycle

Statistics show that intergenerational poverty is rife. Many perpetuate the characteristics of the people and environments they grow up in and it can be hard to break the cycle. University in Australia is currently accessible by most thanks to a policy that ensures repayments are only made once you earn a reasonable salary. However, statistics have shown that those accepted into university have typically had a stable upbringing and are financially secure and therefore access is not representative of the diverse socio cultural make up of Australia.

Growing up in whatever environment you may find yourself in naturally causes a bias. I grew up very privileged and before I was educated enough in the area of sociology, assumed that there were those who chose to work hard to make a living and those who lived off those who worked hard. I honestly feel like a spoiled brat when I venture out to some areas of Sydney. There are people trying to scramble together money for bread and milk and I’m over here planning my next cocktail night and trip to NYC. And yet here many of us are wishing we could trade places? Working is more appealing than relying on welfare after all…

So how can we all run the same race?

Society and its diverse backgrounds need to be better represented at a policy making level via Politicians and Government representatives. If we embody the true values of democracy for example, we would see politicians in Australia encompassing a variety of ages, genders, cultures and backgrounds. I see a trend toward middle aged, caucasian middle class male politicians.

Did you know that 1% of the population in the US earn 25% of the total income? Financial speculation and making money without the production and consumption of goods and services also takes its toll on a well oiled economy. Perhaps taxes may increase for this type of income ?

Government’s can also focus their efforts on collecting the vast array of unpaid taxes, before developing new taxes. Think of speeding tickets = fair’s fair! We are only incentivised not to speed to save our own lives and those of others, when we bend the rules we pay. Or fuel taxes, those who consume the most petrol pay the most tax that can then be attributed to supporting investment in roads. Which is one pricey business. Taxing savings and income incentivises people not to save or work… So creative policymaking comes into play.