Trumpled (Alternative Leading)

[Thryleon]

Having lived through that period Thry, I have to say that you haven’t got a clue.  It was struggle street for the vast majority.

I could show you my primary school photographs of skinny kids dressed in rags and who were subjected to vicious corporal punishment and worse. 

Australian governments were mired in depression era policies in the 1950s and tried to control all aspects of the economy through tariffs, subsidies, wage fixing, etc. This meant that we missed out on the post-war boom that increased production throughout most of the world.

The optimistic 1960s saw the emergence of prosperous, modern Australia but that was tempered by the stagflation of the 1970s and divisive issues like the Vietnam war, conscription, contraception, abortion, communism, apartheid, Franklin Dam, etc.  It’s no wonder that we were talking about revolution and public demonstrations and civil disobedience were at the highest levels ever experienced.

Regardless of what some members of particular generations may think, our economy, quality of life, wellbeing, etc may experience fluctuations but battlers still battle, the entitled are still entitled, the exploiters still exploit, the profiteers still profit, the bludgers still bludge and families still struggle to make ends meet. The high interest rates of the 1990s certainly made things difficult and it was the worst economic conditions I have experienced as an adult. Things are tough now but nothing like the 1990s.

I could list more Australian politicians who performed ably well after their 50s and who came from all walks of life.  The point is that age is largely irrelevant provided cognitive ability is not impaired.  Younger politicians are harder to find, 28 year old QLD premier Robert Herbert is an exception, but that’s due to lack of opportunity rather than lack of capacity.

were the battlers then earning 80k a year wage (seeing only about 50 in their pocket) spending half of that on rent and the rest buying the basics with minimal hope of saving for a home?

I'm a migrant child.  They fled civil war and lack of opportunity and came with not much.  Often working as taxi drivers, dish washers and yes they struggled but not like the young folk who are 15 years old today are going to.  As far as having no idea I reckon I've got a bit more than you think. There was a better sense of community back then too.