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Splintern | 12 days ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag 
 I'd probably add to this that I don't think the Australian political system/structure is even worth saving. 

I don't think I could say with any great certainty that if the political boundaries expanded or contracted in the extreme whether we'd be better or worse off. 

I can't think of some previous golden era where things were better. 

The Australian nation state meme is irreparably and irrevocably dead to me.

Despite all of that though, I am very optimistic and bullish for the future.
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e8db72e7 | 12 days ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag +1 
 Where to go though? 

In the end, for the 63% of the nation whom are home owners, we also have
- very good and accessible healthcare + education (at least junior and secondary)
- it’s generally safe. Of course we have crime, some violent, however compared parts of USA and Europe, def safer.

However, beyond that and previously mentioned draconian censorship, we also have 
- very high income tax on top of GST, CGT, stamp duty, etc
- very high energy prices (when we have an abundance of coal - don’t get me started). 
- extreme property or rent prices, great for the landlord class, but it’s not really a win for the nation (I own a home, but I’m not for the extraction of wealth - it’s not productive)
- very tough business conditions. Small business environment not as good as somewhere like USA.

What else?

Where would you go if not Australia?
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Splintern | 12 days ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag +1 
 I don't plan on going anywhere, I love the actual physical country and feel connected to it. My family and friends are here. 

I can effect positive change in my local community separate from the government apparatus. 

-The internet can help us educate ourselves 
-Housing is down and will continue to go down in bitcoin terms. 
-I don't care for what the legacy media, or centralised social media has to say. I can say what I want here. 

I know a lot of Australians don't have the luxury to think like that, but I don't care. Without wishing Ill will on anyone, I'm only interested in the people in my orbit.