When 25% is Still "Under the Radar"
The Australia Institute has ruffled some feathers by revealing the results of a survey which shows over the past 10 years 23 per cent of Australians aged 30 to 59 made a voluntary long-term change to their lifestyles, resulting in earning less money. The figure excludes early retirees, those returning to study and women resigning to have babies.

This has naturally resulted in the financial and business community being extremely rude about these traitorous idiots who refuse to play the games of commercialism and over consumption.

But the chief executive of Employers First, Garry Brack, rejected the institute's findings, describing them as "compellingly similar" to those in previous reports used in the ACTU's campaign to reduce working hours. "In the end, if it is the aim of these ACTU acolytes to persuade Australia to become less productive and competitive, then this is the way to go about doing it," he said.(SMH Jan 11 2003)

Time Garry took another valium, or whatever the current soother of choice is among the go-getter brigade. What must be a real worry is that they are such a large proportion of us.

Fortunately the political process continues to be driven by what the Sydney Morning Herald calls "Middle Class Whingers" who, despite making more money than they ever have, can't seem to buy everything they need to make them happy. This is normal, these people are known the world over by the common term "suckers".

It will be interesting to see at what level of participation in this process, these folks start having a genuine effect on the political economy of Australia. Not that it will be a revolution of course, most "downshifters" couldn't give a damn about most of what the parties have to say.