FRANK Sinatra sang “Who wants to be a millionaire?”
I did, but with the low pay for teachers and the amount of tax I paid, it never seemed likely.
However, it appears, as initially reported by the New York Times, that not everyone has paid as much tax as I did.
Donald Trump presents an image of wealth and by implication, a high income, and yet he has been reported as paying no tax in 11 of the last 18 years. This appears to be basically because he lost so much money in his business operations.
All of this may explain why he doesn’t want to provide his tax returns, probably through embarrassment.
Pay the taxes that will help to support everyone else.
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A twisted STEM
STEM, the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is seen to be vital for the future and students are being encouraged to look at STEM based careers.
There is an emphasis on encouraging more girls to study and work in these areas as historically it has been a male-dominated area.
There is a need to change the gender stereotypes and recognize that these and all areas can be undertaken by any gender.
Everyone supports this approach, or do they?
A local reality TV show, “The Block” has couples renovating old homes although the social interactions seem to be more prominent than the actual building. This show is popular and at the moment is the highest-rating non-news show.
A recent episode had the couples creating dream bedrooms for children, a boy’s room and a girl’s room. The boys room included a wall map of the galaxy, a Rubik’s cube, lots of science books and toys and as a judge commented “…aimed at a boy…” whereas the girls room included soft toys, pink accessories and what appeared to be hand cream and as the judge commented “…it feels feminine…”
How can equality be a reality when stereotypical gender roles are being reinforced on one of the most popular TV shows, and in many other places? These contestants are labelled as “Blockheads” and this title might be appropriate.
I am sure there is more offensive shows on TV, often repeats from the 1970s, but it’s time to boycott them and the products they display so prominently.
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Celebrate the important events
Is the world getting crazier or is it just me that thinks do?
One of the fires in California is reported as having been started by fireworks at a gender reveal party. A gender reveal party seems a rather indulgent event, more for the parents than any children on the way.
Perhaps we should celebrate the important events in life and not every event – it’s the birth of a healthy child that should be celebrated.
As to the damage done, did anyone think about the start of the word fireworks? Fire!
Surely setting off explosives in the heat wasn’t a great idea.
I am sure that common sense seems less common nowadays.
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Let’s not drop the ball
It is pleasing to see that the Whitehouse Lawn is being repaired after the damage caused during the Republican National Convention which should never have been held there.
Is there any truth that there will also be sand bunkers, tees and eighteen holes added so that the President can devote more time to his main priority, golf? (dfitzger@melbpc.org.au/PN)
