Comments on: Don’t let policymakers tell you we don’t care about the poor

By: Cheryl F

Cheryl F — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 04:32:19 +0000

A few decades ago when the Australian government was slashing the aid budget, all the non-government aid agencies got together and promoted a postcard campaign among their donors. Thousands of Australians who responded to object to the cuts and sent so many postcards to Canberra that the parliamentary postal system and Australia Post said ‘please stop!’. I loved the fact that the ‘normal’ business of government was drowning in one loud community shout. Politicians and bureaucrats alike were stunned at the size of the response. They had thought then that people wouldn’t care.

Yes, that was in the days before Get Up and online protest. We also had people go to their local MP’s office. The fact remains to this day that politicians take more notice of PERSONAL individual communications than petitions. But today we have governments that are less concerned with actual public opinion if it’s not measured in a poll (often with a skewed question). And maybe we all are more cynical – believing our voice will accomplish little or nothing (as it has largely with asylum issues). This is a danger to democracy as a whole.

Thanks again for your thought-provoking blog Mike.

By: Michael Frost

Michael Frost — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 03:08:28 +0000

In reply to Graeme. All power to you, brother, in whatever the next step might be for you.

By: David Berlach

David Berlach — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 02:00:34 +0000

I totally agree Mike.

Ask the right questions and you can get any answer you want. I don’t trust any data that any government cites; I always assume that it was government funded and therefore biased.

There’s no such thing a “disinterest third party” – they’re always on the side that pays best.

By: Graeme

Graeme — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 00:43:12 +0000

I think we as individuals do care and are compassionate but when it comes to large organisations including churches, budgets, funding and an individuals desire to survive in an organisation sadly over ride the love of the poor ( in whatever sense you want to interpret). After being a chaplain in the inner city for the past 3 years working with the poor my role was the first to go in a restructuring process as it doesn’t generate income. My sadness and compassion is with the poor who Jesus was with on the Mount when he delivered his message of love and hope to them.