Enough is enough

DAN SISSON is the author of “The American Revolution of 1800” and in this he explains how Thomas Jefferson rescued democracy from tyranny and faction. Having been very much involved it the US constitution and its early government, he retired but was asked to help in recovering the degeneration which had later occurred. Sisson argues that Jefferson thought that democratic revolutions would be necessary from time to time to break the grip of autocratic factions on the government. That lesson for today’s Canberra people could not be more obvious.

Sisson’s book was first published in 1976 – its updated 40th Anniversary edition has made it relevant to today’s degradation of democracy.

Joshua Clover has written “Riot. Strike. Riot.” which examines the current era of uprisings. We now have an “age of riots” as the struggle of people versus state and capital has taken to the streets.

Rioting was a central form of protest in the 17th and 18th centuries and was supplanted by the strike in the 19th century. Rioting has returned to prominence in recent history as times have changed with the coordinates of race and class. Demands for social justice campaigns are pursued through occupations and blockades. Social unrest against an unsustainable order continues to grow.

Ongoing encouragement for controversy comes from the media with TV crews setting up interviews with personalities to follow a specific agenda. Michael Bodey wrote “Broadcast Wars” which deals with money, egos and power, particularly when there is competition for an audience – and hence revenues. The book deals with a past where channels Seven and Nine traded blows as they chased material for slots in their Sunrise and Today programs.

The recent release “Bolt – Worth Fighting For” has the journalist and commentator Andrew Bolt relating material from his columns. He deals with current political and social debates, from Islam to immigration, the Green movement and the rise of the slacktivist.

Examples of massive rorts continuing in this country came from Coffs Harbour where a senior citizen was in line at a Chemist. In front of him an African man was collecting a prescription. The shop assistant advised him that it would cost $32.20. He looked surprised and said “but we don’t pay”. When asked for evidence about why, the man pulled out cards; the Families Residency Card, and then his personal Federal Government Pensioner Card. The African, in his 30s, 6-feet tall and well dressed in a suit. had a Pensioners Card that the local resident and his wife would not qualify for.

When he returned home, the Aussie senior did some research on the Centrelink line. It showed an Australia aged pensioner had a total yearly benefit of $16,068. Illegal immigrants/ refugees living in Australia are paid $56,680.

Another example of living off the system occurred last week when our staff member was in a nearby shop buying a pair of slippers for $15.50. Ahead of her was a well-dressed woman buying a pair of shoes for $120 – and Joblink paid for them.

Investigative journalist Andrew Fowler is the author of “The War on Journalism” which investigates the agendas of media moguls, whistle-blowers and what it costs our society to have freedom of expression. Fowler began as a reporter in the 1970s, and more recently has been acting as foreign editor of The Australian newspaper and SBS Dateline. He also headed the ABC’S Investigative Unit. In his time, rattled governments

An Australia aged pensioner has a total yearly benefit of $16,068. Illegal immigrants/refugees living in Australia are paid $56,680...