I have been very disturbed for a long time over what is happening in this wonderful country. We are losing our freedom and our dignity. Government departments and the public service is expanding at the speed of light. Getting prompt service is as ancient as dinosaurs. A good percentage of these government employees are police persons in some way or another employed by us to make sure we dont get into any mischief. Every time a new law is passed a new department is created to enforce it. Local councils are getting bigger and more dominant and more unwieldy. We are a relatively small country, population wise, and yet we have a massive government more suited to a population of 100 million or more. It is so sad. Australia used to be a wonderful counrty to live in. Now we are plagued by crime, high divorce rate, high suicide rate, high unemployment rate (I don't believe the publicised figures) just like America. Why on earth do we follow the Americans in everything. What is the answer? I dont know. The situation is out of control, but if I come up with any ideas I will be sharing them!

NHJ! (HA) Robert, there is a lot of hope as well! And as for ideas, this site is as good a place as any to find some damn good ones.