GC> Anyway I'm not really for the current pension/dole system

True, the problem is how to do it better tho.

The classic problem with the current one is that if you choose
to have kids and bludge off the state, there is absolutely no
way to stop you doing that. You even get some enjoyment out of
getting into the scheme at times |-)

I know one fellow who is now 34, who is married with two kids,
who has literally never worked his life and told me the other
day that he has paid a total of $2.50 income tax in his life.

The state is currently paying for him to do a law degree externally.
This fellow has a list of convictions as long as your arm.

GC> I'm for
GC>  1 Work for the dole

Yep, I think its the way to go.

GC> 2 Single parent pension for maybe first 12 months or so
GC> (& I was a single parent with custody of 2)

Trouble with this one tho is what you do about people who see
nothing wrong with leaving the little kids home by themselves when
they go out to work or look for work. If you take the kids away, that
costs the state even more than the current single parent pension,

GC> 3 Age pensions to be paid to all (ie basic super to all)

I think its quite mad to be paying a pension to people who
have a decent super pension or whatever. We cant afford it.

GC> No matter how you dress it up Basic super is just another
GC> form of tax (paying for the pension)

Its nothing even remotely like that. We dont have an accumulation
scheme for the old age pension. The current old age pension is
paid for by the current taxpayers. The hoary old 'I've paid taxes,
I am entitled to it' is a complete furfy.

GC> You stated that the taxpayer shouldn't have to pay in support of pensions
GC> for people who've saved enough to support themselves in old age,

Yes, that makes no sense. Why should say a retired politician who
has a very very generous pension, get the old age pension too ?
Or say a captain of industry who gets an obscene super payout.

GC> I say that's what basic super really is, tax,

And the old age pension is nothing even remotely like super.
Because even those who dont pay tax qualify for it.

GC> except that the govt can slip rises in under this disguised
GC> as forced savings.

Yes, we are attempting to move to an accumulation scheme.
The pension isnt tho.

GC> This maybe a fairly simplistic view, but its mine anyway.

Yes, it is simplistic |-)

--- PQWK202