Resource Super Profits Tax

RSPT, an irony in a democracy

Has the government's surprise RSPT shocked you, disgusted you or affected you financially? I wasn't usually interested in politics but this time I witnessed some friends suffered massive financial loss in the share market ever since the Henry Tax Review. I heard many miners lost their work. People from all walks of life are affected.

I guess if some big miners earn too much money from natural resources of the state, they may be obligated to pay more tax otherwise the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. And if mining activity brings about negative impact on the environment, they should pay tax or compensation too. However, I don't understand why the government had zero consultation with the mining industry and with the Australian people. Is this a democratic decision or an autocratic one?

Have you been affected by RSPT?

Here is a message from Keeping Mining Strong.

A Better World needs joint efforts

I am not a politician and I am not really interested in politics. However, I have come to realize that as an individual in any society, I can not ignore things happening around me in my city, in my country, in the world or in the universe. Individual activities form the basis of society but what is happening in the society in turn affects individual behaviour. In democratic countries, we shouldn't be passively controlled by our governments if they have unreasonable or incorrect policies which have a negative impact on our life and our environment due to corruption or political reasons. Instead, we have to take action to protect our interests as ordinary citizens under critical circumstances. That is why every now and then, I will poke my head out of my personal space to look around to see what is happening.

There are many myths and prophecies about the year 2012, only less than two years away. I don't have a clue what will happen then, but I think 2012 will be a turning point. Whether it turns for the better or for the worse, it depends on what we do and how we deal with the problems in our society and in our daily life.

Let's hope with joint efforts, 2012 will be a turning point for a Better World rather than dark destruction of the mankind as some people predict.