Monday, March 2, 2009

An Act Of Irresponsible Leadership

What sort of leader takes 1.8 million dollars payment from a company at a time when 1850 jobs are being cut? What are the national values we are trying to build?

Just say a low paid worker receives $40 000pa. I find it hard enough supporting myself, but these are people most likely supporting a family as well.

Simple math will show you that the "leader" of Pacific Brands thinks she is 45 times more valuable than one of her factory workers. And maybe she is in her decision making, but the question rather should be, how much money does someone need to run their life? And moreover, given the current economic climate and the fact that the company is receiving government grants (ie national money), is receiving 1.8 mill an act of responsible leadership?

Maybe I'm just idealistic (in fact, I know I am, but unapologetic, for that is one of the strengths of youth). Maybe I just respond better to the William Wallace characters - stirring the floundering troops on from the front line himself, despite imminent defeat.

At least then if you go under you might retain some social capital under your belt. You might have built a more robust community in the face of economic defeat. You might have maintained a cohesion of human will, fertile for future and possibly diversified projects. You might have inspired hope in a youngster that no Australian will be left to stand alone.

But fuck em. Let's just bail because the numbers on the books point to China.

How long must the health of our community relationships and nation's spirit remain subservient to it's precious economy?

Trains Run On Rails

Trains run on rails. There is a set course for them to follow; not ad libbed or by accident, the destination was known before construction ever began. Perhaps there is some anticipation for the traveller on their first rail journey, a personality excited to follow in the works of those who have gone before them, to wonder what the surveyor and builder must have felt carving through the opposition of the landscape. Speed and efficiency are found on rails - a well traversed route of mechanical precision.

I have two legs (we're getting real deep here). Walking is my mode of transport through life. As a Transient, I frantically seek the speed of the rails, though in reality I'm more likely to be lost tackling a mountainside with bloodied shins. It's a wild attempt at adventure, but valid too. If you choose two legs and an unventured mountainscape, your experience will be vastly different to a train carriage. A decision is required of you at each step, each tree stump, fern, rock or stream to navigate onwards. And despite a terrain that can leave me ragged, nothing else would satisfy.