It turns out that there's a lot of rubbish being circulated by politicians and their plebs. For example:
- It's 23.7% not 35.5% as stated by Clive Palmer. Still, no-one in Australia should be living in poverty.
- Queensland CHO did not reveal vaccine-related deaths in a video being circulated by vacine deniers.
- A lot of fact checkers and reporters in Ukraine are targeted by Russia.
- Some of Josh Frydenberg's statements in the budget about what the government has achieved are just wrong.
It goes to show that one needs to do a lot of fact checking these days. Although, I haven't trusted politicians for decades.
dorian said
11:44 AM Apr 1, 2022
When I started watching this forum, I was appalled at the number of people who blindly regurgitated the junk that turned up in their inboxes. I had to make them aware of fact checking sites like snopes.com.
People are just too gullible. There's a lot of disinformation on the Internet, but there are also a lot of authoritative web sites. Those of us who have lived on this planet for 60 years or more should be wise enough to discern BS from fact. Sadly, this is often not the case.
Whenarewethere said
12:01 PM Apr 1, 2022
If you are on a pension & rent it's going to hurt. In our block of units rents are up to $760pw 2 bed. A unit I let the tenants pay $610pw, that's $31,800pa. I can't see how a couple on a pension can eat & pay electricity etc.
Bicyclecamper said
01:16 PM Apr 1, 2022
The biggest thing we are finding the hardest to live with is keeping up our insurance. It has gone up over 100% on what it was 3 years ago, and this year, it went up a further $400, so had to reduce value of our property down again. We are not allowed to do this again if the premiums go up next year due to having a mortgage on it. Don't know what we are going to have to do then, maybe sell, and go back to renting. Now the last time I mentioned that devaluing our house on here, I was shot down in flames, for it. Just to tell you we have devalued twice since 3 years ago. If we didn't do this, we would be not insured. We have had no claims in 20 years. The reason we were given why it went up this year, was Lismore Floods. Now our property out of town is in a family trust. It is a big property, the insurance went up this year an extra $5000 to $20,000. I could only put in $2000, the family put up the rest. No claims have every been made on the policy for over 30 years. Next year we will have to devalue the property or sell it, and as it is in a trust, that is going to be a nightmare to do. Insurance is murdering the bush. Not one farmer in the area is handling it. This is hurting really bad. As well as in town, what we have done most of the other townspeople, have had to reduce their property values as well. Pretty soon low income earners will be uninsured. This is our future.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 1st of April 2022 01:35:45 PM
dabbler said
03:30 PM Apr 1, 2022
I've been a Snopes follower for a long time. Just when I think I'm getting the fact-checking message through to some family and friends they invariably post, share or mention the most absurd things. Now some of them have less smarts than a bag of spuds but some others have successfully operated businesses, enjoyed long successful professional careers and/or have higher degrees. So while I'll keep reminding them to fact-check when they regurgitate dross I've come to realize "blind acceptance vs questioning" comes down to personality not brains. Good topic to post though Buzz.
Craig1 said
05:33 PM Apr 1, 2022
I was slightly amazed that your "L Leaning" ABC actually posted this.
86GTS said
07:37 PM Apr 1, 2022
Not a lot of plain ordinary truth around these days, too much blah blah blah from all sides.
God knows where some of these ridiculous percentage figures come from?
The biggest thing we are finding the hardest to live with is keeping up our insurance. It has gone up over 100% on what it was 3 years ago, and this year, it went up a further $400, so had to reduce value of our property down again. We are not allowed to do this again if the premiums go up next year due to having a mortgage on it. Don't know what we are going to have to do then, maybe sell, and go back to renting. Now the last time I mentioned that devaluing our house on here, I was shot down in flames, for it. Just to tell you we have devalued twice since 3 years ago. If we didn't do this, we would be not insured. We have had no claims in 20 years. The reason we were given why it went up this year, was Lismore Floods. Now our property out of town is in a family trust. It is a big property, the insurance went up this year an extra $5000 to $20,000. I could only put in $2000, the family put up the rest. No claims have every been made on the policy for over 30 years. Next year we will have to devalue the property or sell it, and as it is in a trust, that is going to be a nightmare to do. Insurance is murdering the bush. Not one farmer in the area is handling it. This is hurting really bad. As well as in town, what we have done most of the other townspeople, have had to reduce their property values as well. Pretty soon low income earners will be uninsured. This is our future.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 1st of April 2022 01:35:45 PM
Yes, inequality is getting worse.
A few years ago I was wondering how the gap would be widened but then I saw the floods in Queensland (2011 maybe?) and our premiums were increased dramatically. We asked why and we were told because we were in a flood prone area, when we're not. We went to a different insurance company that didn't charge is 'flood prone' (Suncorp I think).
Then there were the summer fires and the recent floods. So many people said that they weren't insured. How can they recover from such a disaster without insurance. They will have to sell and rent.
These disasters will push up insurance premiums so that only the rich will be able to afford insurance. This will push more people out of owning a home into renting and more people into poverty. Inequality will just get worse.
Gundog said
01:33 PM Apr 2, 2022
The biggest issue with the media in news is heavily laden with opinions rather facts, the old adage still rings true " Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story".
As for insurance if you just grizzle about increased premiums the fault lies with you, every year need to check other companies to see if you are getting the best deal. My current insurer for the caravan has only increased my premium less than $10, the previous company wanted an increase over $100.
I for one view insurance as a form of gambling, your betting that you will make a claim where the insurance company is betting you won't. Wether you make a claim or not, your stake will rise at the whim of the companies bosses.
I wonder how many people have been refused insurance in those flood effected area, if an insurance company accepts you as a client but the premiums are not affordable you cannot afford it, so what do you do sell up and take loss, rebuild with no insurance and hope you will never get flooded again.
Bicyclecamper said
05:16 PM Apr 2, 2022
Gundog wrote:
The biggest issue with the media in news is heavily laden with opinions rather facts, the old adage still rings true " Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story".
As for insurance if you just grizzle about increased premiums the fault lies with you, every year need to check other companies to see if you are getting the best deal. My current insurer for the caravan has only increased my premium less than $10, the previous company wanted an increase over $100.
I for one view insurance as a form of gambling, your betting that you will make a claim where the insurance company is betting you won't. Wether you make a claim or not, your stake will rise at the whim of the companies bosses.
I wonder how many people have been refused insurance in those flood effected area, if an insurance company accepts you as a client but the premiums are not affordable you cannot afford it, so what do you do sell up and take loss, rebuild with no insurance and hope you will never get flooded again.
We had to change our insurance company this year again. If not we would now be uninsured. Obviously you are in the well to do financial mob, we are not. Not everybody has a massive super to live on. I am on a reduced DVA disability pension, and a little bit more on a SS pension. We cannot currently afford current cost of living expenses. If you have never lived on a low income, you have no bloody idea how hard it is to juggle what little money we get. Fuel price alone has gone up 70 cents a litre, as have food prices as well. We moved to the bush to make it easier on us( I was formerly from here). With no buses, traveling an hour for shopping is the norm, so it costs a lot, even though I do have a cheaper car to run. All the costs associated with running a car have also gone up. Might be better if we do get the virus, and all us veterans die from it, would be better for the country and it's rich people in the long run. Also am not in a flood zone, Live on top of a hill 250ft above the highest possible flood that has ever been here, and we cannot get flood insurance.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 05:35:05 PM
JayDee said
05:22 PM Apr 2, 2022
Depends on what level one describes as Poverty.
If someone of the rich and famous were living my lifestyle, they would be absolutely devastated and looking for a cliff to jump off.
Whereas we are happy in our current life and situation.
Always remember that the Media thrives on "BAD NEWS"
But 'tis what it 'tis.
Jay&Dee
msg said
08:23 PM Apr 2, 2022
I thought it was a bit rough this week when Bill Gates told us lesser beings that we should eat meat substitutes. Now, I have almost turned vegetarian, via doctors advice "meat is bad for you" now I am wondering if this is all part of social engineering to keep us in our proper place.
86GTS said
05:50 AM Apr 3, 2022
Judging by the increasing number of luxury caravans towed by Toyota Land Cruisers getting around I would say not many over 65's are living in poverty.
Buzz Lightbulb said
12:03 PM Apr 30, 2022
Some people have mentioned problems with insurance and many have found that the insurance payouts have taken a long time to come. This may be a solution:
A new type of insurance pays out as soon as extreme weather hits - and we could try it in Australia
Judging by the increasing number of luxury caravans towed by Toyota Land Cruisers getting around I would say not many over 65's are living in poverty.
And with huge numbers of older folk blissfully setting sail in these inappropriately set up, and overloaded, dreamers machines, it is unlikely the owners will be living long at all! No worries about poverty though. Cheers
dogbox said
08:27 PM Apr 30, 2022
JayDee wrote:
Depends on what level one describes as Poverty.
If someone of the rich and famous were living my lifestyle, they would be absolutely devastated and looking for a cliff to jump off.
Whereas we are happy in our current life and situation.
Always remember that the Media thrives on "BAD NEWS"
But 'tis what it 'tis.
Jay&Dee
i agree .
if your happy with what you have good for you, if you live beyond your means and are envious of others who seem to have more than you, you have a problem .
i wonder how those people in new cruisers an flash caravans can afford it , maybe they cashed in all their chips (sold the house ) and having a last fling in style, maybe cashed in the super, maybe they are spending an inheritance ,they might even have won lotto or maybe the worked long hours lived within their means and invested well .
it does not affect how the rest of us live unless we have a green eye . enjoy what you have and do the best you can with what you got, while you got it
watsea said
09:34 PM Apr 30, 2022
Bicyclecamper wrote:
Also am not in a flood zone, Live on top of a hill 250ft above the highest possible flood that has ever been here, and we cannot get flood insurance.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 05:35:05 PM
Ric,
you posted something like that earlier. I meant to ask if you are wanting flood insurance as you maintain that you are so far above any possible flood. Where I live is well above any flood level so I do not need flood insurance and now I do not pay any.
Do you really want flood insurance?
Our previous insurance company had automatic flood insurance for which we paid some contribution, though a lesser amount than those near or in a flood zone. Our insurance bill was going rise more. We didn't want the flood insurance. That company would not come down, so we changed insurers.
Buzz Lightbulb said
10:40 PM Apr 30, 2022
watsea wrote:
Bicyclecamper wrote:
Also am not in a flood zone, Live on top of a hill 250ft above the highest possible flood that has ever been here, and we cannot get flood insurance.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 05:35:05 PM
Ric,
you posted something like that earlier. I meant to ask if you are wanting flood insurance as you maintain that you are so far above any possible flood. Where I live is well above any flood level so I do not need flood insurance and now I do not pay any.
Do you really want flood insurance?
Our previous insurance company had automatic flood insurance for which we paid some contribution, though a lesser amount than those near or in a flood zone. Our insurance bill was going rise more. We didn't want the flood insurance. That company would not come down, so we changed insurers.
We also switched our insurance company when we were being charged for flood insurance and didn't need it.
markf said
12:59 PM May 2, 2022
JayDee wrote:
.....
Always remember that the Media thrives on "BAD NEWS"
But 'tis what it 'tis.
Jay&Dee
In the 1890's William Randolph Hearst said "if it bleeds it leads" and a few years ago another journalist said that phrase gave birth to sensationalist reporting. Nowadays it seems that every lead story, whether it be in electronic or print media, has to lead with a story that grabs attention so that people will keep reading/listening/watching. Any filtering is done by the consumer and not the purveyor.
Whenarewethere said
01:56 PM May 2, 2022
markf wrote:
In the 1890's William Randolph Hearst said "if it bleeds it leads"
Years ago I was in a helicopter doing a photo shoot. We had almost finished & the pilot said we have to finish now so he could get to the next job. It was urgent.
There were supposedly multiple dead people from a serious car accident. On the way back he got another call, job cancelled, not enough people dead.
Wannabe nomad said
08:40 AM May 3, 2022
If you can't change your situation, live the best life you can with what you have and don't let the green eyed monster get you.
Take a huge pinch of salt with information gathered from any source.
Be kind to your fellow man and help out when you can.
Enjoy every sun rise and sunset
Be grateful that you have breath in your aging body even if it hurts or is sick (I find this very hard)
Because
Your a long time dead
Buzz Lightbulb said
09:32 AM May 3, 2022
Here's some more about insurance in the news:
Climate change means 1 in 25 homes could become uninsurable by 2030, report warns
The sad part for me is that when i retire, assuming that they dont change the rules again and the few dollars I have stashed isnt counted, i will receive a pension less than the tax I have paid every week of my life.
For several years i have actually paid twice what the pension is in taxes ( including GRAB SNATCH and TAKE tax).
Meanwhile, our useless politicians and senior public servant FAT CATS will retire on several times what the actual workers get.
Not a very fair or equitable system.
Ruled over by corrupt, self serving parasites.
TheHeaths said
01:36 PM May 3, 2022
Valkie,
Unfortunately the tax you paid, as with everyone else, was not just to get a pension, as I am certain you are aware.
Defence, Health, Social Security, Infrastructure, Education, the Environment, Foreign Affairs and Aid, and the cost of running the country are just a few of the things that our taxes are needed and used for.
As for the benefits politicians receive, they do in fact contribute more as compulsory super payments than most, if not all of us. The main exception for them is the ability to access it as soon as they get ejected at an election. I dont know what happens for public servants.
Remember, if we want more benefits, we must pay more tax, and if you compare tax rates from when we were younger to those in effect now, it appears no one is volunteering for that to happen.
Gundog said
02:04 PM May 3, 2022
Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
Here's some more about insurance in the news:
Climate change means 1 in 25 homes could become uninsurable by 2030, report warns
Another ABC rubbish story, as soon as they mentioned the Climate Council, it becomes another tree hugger lefty story to scare people.
Remember the scare campaign about the ozone layer a few years back, funny we dont hear a peep about it now Hmmm.
-- Edited by Gundog on Tuesday 3rd of May 2022 02:05:12 PM
dogbox said
02:18 PM May 3, 2022
Valkie wrote:
The sad part for me is that when i retire, assuming that they dont change the rules again and the few dollars I have stashed isnt counted, i will receive a pension less than the tax I have paid every week of my life. For several years i have actually paid twice what the pension is in taxes ( including GRAB SNATCH and TAKE tax). Meanwhile, our useless politicians and senior public servant FAT CATS will retire on several times what the actual workers get. Not a very fair or equitable system. Ruled over by corrupt, self serving parasites.
if your paying that much in tax why would you need to rely on the pension ?
Cupie said
04:07 PM May 5, 2022
Gundog wrote:
Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
Here's some more about insurance in the news:
Climate change means 1 in 25 homes could become uninsurable by 2030, report warns
Another ABC rubbish story, as soon as they mentioned the Climate Council, it becomes another tree hugger lefty story to scare people.
Remember the scare campaign about the ozone layer a few years back, funny we don't hear a peep about it now Hmmm.
-- Edited by Gundog on Tuesday 3rd of May 2022 02:05:12 PM
To answer your question about The Ozone Layer ..... Perhaps a lesson in what can be achieved with belief in the science & universal action .. It seems that only bad news makes the headlines!
another case of fix one problem and create a bigger one ,but i can't see the connection as to how it relates to " over 65 living in poverty" unless it means there are fewer of us as a result the use of lead in petrol (what about lead in paint and all the babies chewing on the crib rails)
I saw this headline and wondered if I was living in poverty:
A viral meme claims 35.5 per cent of Australian seniors live in relative poverty. Here's why it's bunkum
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-01/checkmate-senior-australians-relative-poverty-meme/100955380
It turns out that there's a lot of rubbish being circulated by politicians and their plebs. For example:
- It's 23.7% not 35.5% as stated by Clive Palmer. Still, no-one in Australia should be living in poverty.
- Queensland CHO did not reveal vaccine-related deaths in a video being circulated by vacine deniers.
- A lot of fact checkers and reporters in Ukraine are targeted by Russia.
- Some of Josh Frydenberg's statements in the budget about what the government has achieved are just wrong.
It goes to show that one needs to do a lot of fact checking these days. Although, I haven't trusted politicians for decades.
People are just too gullible. There's a lot of disinformation on the Internet, but there are also a lot of authoritative web sites. Those of us who have lived on this planet for 60 years or more should be wise enough to discern BS from fact. Sadly, this is often not the case.
If you are on a pension & rent it's going to hurt. In our block of units rents are up to $760pw 2 bed. A unit I let the tenants pay $610pw, that's $31,800pa. I can't see how a couple on a pension can eat & pay electricity etc.
The biggest thing we are finding the hardest to live with is keeping up our insurance. It has gone up over 100% on what it was 3 years ago, and this year, it went up a further $400, so had to reduce value of our property down again. We are not allowed to do this again if the premiums go up next year due to having a mortgage on it. Don't know what we are going to have to do then, maybe sell, and go back to renting. Now the last time I mentioned that devaluing our house on here, I was shot down in flames, for it. Just to tell you we have devalued twice since 3 years ago. If we didn't do this, we would be not insured. We have had no claims in 20 years. The reason we were given why it went up this year, was Lismore Floods. Now our property out of town is in a family trust. It is a big property, the insurance went up this year an extra $5000 to $20,000. I could only put in $2000, the family put up the rest. No claims have every been made on the policy for over 30 years. Next year we will have to devalue the property or sell it, and as it is in a trust, that is going to be a nightmare to do. Insurance is murdering the bush. Not one farmer in the area is handling it. This is hurting really bad. As well as in town, what we have done most of the other townspeople, have had to reduce their property values as well. Pretty soon low income earners will be uninsured. This is our future.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 1st of April 2022 01:35:45 PM
God knows where some of these ridiculous percentage figures come from?
This sums it up these days.
Yes, inequality is getting worse.
A few years ago I was wondering how the gap would be widened but then I saw the floods in Queensland (2011 maybe?) and our premiums were increased dramatically. We asked why and we were told because we were in a flood prone area, when we're not. We went to a different insurance company that didn't charge is 'flood prone' (Suncorp I think).
Then there were the summer fires and the recent floods. So many people said that they weren't insured. How can they recover from such a disaster without insurance. They will have to sell and rent.
These disasters will push up insurance premiums so that only the rich will be able to afford insurance. This will push more people out of owning a home into renting and more people into poverty. Inequality will just get worse.
The biggest issue with the media in news is heavily laden with opinions rather facts, the old adage still rings true " Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story".
As for insurance if you just grizzle about increased premiums the fault lies with you, every year need to check other companies to see if you are getting the best deal. My current insurer for the caravan has only increased my premium less than $10, the previous company wanted an increase over $100.
I for one view insurance as a form of gambling, your betting that you will make a claim where the insurance company is betting you won't. Wether you make a claim or not, your stake will rise at the whim of the companies bosses.
I wonder how many people have been refused insurance in those flood effected area, if an insurance company accepts you as a client but the premiums are not affordable you cannot afford it, so what do you do sell up and take loss, rebuild with no insurance and hope you will never get flooded again.
We had to change our insurance company this year again. If not we would now be uninsured. Obviously you are in the well to do financial mob, we are not. Not everybody has a massive super to live on. I am on a reduced DVA disability pension, and a little bit more on a SS pension. We cannot currently afford current cost of living expenses. If you have never lived on a low income, you have no bloody idea how hard it is to juggle what little money we get. Fuel price alone has gone up 70 cents a litre, as have food prices as well. We moved to the bush to make it easier on us( I was formerly from here). With no buses, traveling an hour for shopping is the norm, so it costs a lot, even though I do have a cheaper car to run. All the costs associated with running a car have also gone up. Might be better if we do get the virus, and all us veterans die from it, would be better for the country and it's rich people in the long run. Also am not in a flood zone, Live on top of a hill 250ft above the highest possible flood that has ever been here, and we cannot get flood insurance.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Saturday 2nd of April 2022 05:35:05 PM
Depends on what level one describes as Poverty.
If someone of the rich and famous were living my lifestyle, they would be absolutely devastated and looking for a cliff to jump off.
Whereas we are happy in our current life and situation.
Always remember that the Media thrives on "BAD NEWS"
But 'tis what it 'tis.
Jay&Dee
Some people have mentioned problems with insurance and many have found that the insurance payouts have taken a long time to come. This may be a solution:
A new type of insurance pays out as soon as extreme weather hits - and we could try it in Australia
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-30/new-type-insurance-extreme-weather-pays-hits-australia/101025576
And with huge numbers of older folk blissfully setting sail in these inappropriately set up, and overloaded, dreamers machines, it is unlikely the owners will be living long at all! No worries about poverty though. Cheers
i agree .
if your happy with what you have good for you, if you live beyond your means and are envious of others who seem to have more than you,
you have a problem .
i wonder how those people in new cruisers an flash caravans can afford it , maybe they cashed in all their chips (sold the house ) and having a last fling in style, maybe cashed in the super, maybe they are spending an inheritance ,they might even have won lotto or maybe the worked long hours lived within their means and invested well .
it does not affect how the rest of us live unless we have a green eye . enjoy what you have and do the best you can with what you got, while you got it
Also am not in a flood zone, Live on top of a hill 250ft above the highest possible flood that has ever been here, and we cannot get flood insurance.
Ric,
you posted something like that earlier. I meant to ask if you are wanting flood insurance as you maintain that you are so far above any possible flood. Where I live is well above any flood level so I do not need flood insurance and now I do not pay any.
Do you really want flood insurance?
Our previous insurance company had automatic flood insurance for which we paid some contribution, though a lesser amount than those near or in a flood zone. Our insurance bill was going rise more. We didn't want the flood insurance. That company would not come down, so we changed insurers.
We also switched our insurance company when we were being charged for flood insurance and didn't need it.
In the 1890's William Randolph Hearst said "if it bleeds it leads" and a few years ago another journalist said that phrase gave birth to sensationalist reporting. Nowadays it seems that every lead story, whether it be in electronic or print media, has to lead with a story that grabs attention so that people will keep reading/listening/watching. Any filtering is done by the consumer and not the purveyor.
Years ago I was in a helicopter doing a photo shoot. We had almost finished & the pilot said we have to finish now so he could get to the next job. It was urgent.
There were supposedly multiple dead people from a serious car accident. On the way back he got another call, job cancelled, not enough people dead.
Take a huge pinch of salt with information gathered from any source.
Be kind to your fellow man and help out when you can.
Enjoy every sun rise and sunset
Be grateful that you have breath in your aging body even if it hurts or is sick (I find this very hard)
Because
Your a long time dead
Here's some more about insurance in the news:
Climate change means 1 in 25 homes could become uninsurable by 2030, report warns
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-05-03/climate-change-floods-cyclones-bushfires-house-insurance-costs/101021438
Unfortunately the tax you paid, as with everyone else, was not just to get a pension, as I am certain you are aware.
Defence, Health, Social Security, Infrastructure, Education, the Environment, Foreign Affairs and Aid, and the cost of running the country are just a few of the things that our taxes are needed and used for.
As for the benefits politicians receive, they do in fact contribute more as compulsory super payments than most, if not all of us. The main exception for them is the ability to access it as soon as they get ejected at an election. I dont know what happens for public servants.
Remember, if we want more benefits, we must pay more tax, and if you compare tax rates from when we were younger to those in effect now, it appears no one is volunteering for that to happen.
Another ABC rubbish story, as soon as they mentioned the Climate Council, it becomes another tree hugger lefty story to scare people.
Remember the scare campaign about the ozone layer a few years back, funny we dont hear a peep about it now Hmmm.
-- Edited by Gundog on Tuesday 3rd of May 2022 02:05:12 PM
if your paying that much in tax why would you need to rely on the pension ?
To answer your question about The Ozone Layer ..... Perhaps a lesson in what can be achieved with belief in the science & universal action .. It seems that only bad news makes the headlines!
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220321-what-happened-to-the-worlds-ozone-hole
We can thank Thomas Midgety for the hole in the Ozone layer and for for putting lead in petrol to stop engine knocking.
Did more damage to the world's environment and peoples health than any other human.They even made him chairman of U.S.academy of sciences.
https://interestingengineering.com/thomas-midgley-jr-the-man-who-harmed-the-world-the-most
another case of fix one problem and create a bigger one ,but i can't see the connection as to how it relates to " over 65 living in poverty" unless it means there are fewer of us as a result the use of lead in petrol (what about lead in paint and all the babies chewing on the crib rails)