Those at the top of the inequality are probably very happy, but I was being a bit sarcastic. The vast majority in the middle and lower end are losing out badly.

The inequality continues to widen.

And now they are saying - shock horror! - that the satisfaction with democracy (or rather democratic institutions) is slipping.

Vote in party A. Things get worse. Vote in party B. Things get worse. Let’s vote in party A again. Oops, things got worse. Well, let’s give party B a go. Nope - worse again.
People: iT mUsT bE DeMoCrAcY tHaT’S tHe PrObLEm!!

Conclusion: Inequality is eroding satisfaction of democracy!

Did they allow for other factors that erode faith in politics/government? Like, idk, corrupt politicians? Kickbacks after leaving office? Blatant lying? Causing death, pain and destruction to thousands, a la Robodebt?

I haven’t bothered to look at this ‘study’ but I can smell the ‘correlation does not mean causation’ from here.

I think I’m a bit pissed off, because we’re spending money and time on ‘strengthening democracy’, when even their ‘conclusion’ says they should be spending it on closing the gap and reducing inequality.

Don’t all the studies over the last 20? 50? years show that inequality is growing?

Why would you be happy with that?

7th. Not bad, but no cash for me 😟

Bet is on 😁

Thanks!

And they’re off!

Go!

I’ve been waiting on “Antifa false flag” to hit Australia…

idk, I just kinda hope we can get past ‘coming out’ and just accept people.

I know it’s a very idealistic view and people face horrendous challenges, discrimination and even death.

But love will win, won’t it?

TBH, LTE certification always seemed like a way to force carrier locked phones to me.

Which makes it massively more difficult to switch.

IE vendor lock in.

But the telcos give big donations!

“You know enough to be dangerous”

It can be used as either an insult or a compliment.

Nobody ever gives the cow any credit…

I misread you as saying “Thanks late stage filesystem.” 🤣

Drug importers must hate glass cases…

A scifi short story I read was set in a somewhat idyllic future.

Robots did everything. Everyone was given housing, food etc. Health was covered and people lived virtually forever. Nobody worked, and you could travel and do anything you wanted.

The most prized thing, that everyone was desperate for, was having an original thought.

Worse still, no manual entry of the birth date, so it takes ages to scroll down and select the year.

Interesting read. Couple of snippets:

Labor’s legislation means that a democratically elected workplace delegate with no ties whatsoever to organized crime can now be legally and permanently forbidden from taking official part in any industrial negotiation.

and…

when the minister for employment and workplace relations is making decisions about the CFMEU administration, they are “not required to observe any requirements of the natural justice hearing rule.” Labor’s legislation also protects the CFMEU administrators from possible future civil action.

It won’t change my current needs or plan I’m on, but I hope my free speed bump days get the upgrade to the new levels 😉

Some of the Chinese EVs are impressive. I think a number of European and US brands are in denial.

Some are in big trouble and won’t make it.

What lessons can be learned?

I think it was obvious worldwide.

Have a fucking leader who has a fucking clue.

I had a lot of problems with Gladys over various things, but the best thing she ever did was ignore Scott Morrison, and Sky News and 2GB et al. They were all in the 'it wiil hurt business, and we can’t have that, so let it rip" camp.

Same applies to most of the other state leaders.

We all dodged a bullet.