A nation divided.

Sunday Star Times survey has validated the accusation against New Zealand as one of the worst performers in the developed world when it comes to income inequalities between rich and poor. This took me by surprise. I guess being an immigrant I have formed some preconceptions of New Zealand, as a country that is reasonably rich and equal (which is true) compared to most. However inequalities within the nation should not be ignored as it may lead to societal issues such, as mentioned in a study conducted by Horizon Research:  it shows the burgeoning gap between the haves and have-nots is frothing over into resentment, anger and disillusionment.

Those who are struggling are slamming the government for giving tax breaks to the rich, and for the perceived "propping up" of failed finance companies, while there is a growing tranche of middle- to high-income earners who see those on welfare as a drain on the country's resources.

Social researchers  says that this size of gap leads to more and a much wide ranging societal problems.

The article makes reference to the book Spirit Level, by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (2009), that argues  that "almost every social problem common in developed societies – reduced life expectancy, child mortality, drugs, crime, homicide rates, mental illness and obesity – has a single root cause, that is...

INEQUALITY!

Wilkinson, in his book ranks New Zealand as the sixth most unequal society of 23 rich countries, when the incomes of the richest 20% are compared with the poorest 20%Although this is a survey amongst rich countries, it can't be ignored. THIS IS REALITY. 

British Academics say NZ has greater inequalities than most developed countries. Wilkinson also points out that as Japan became more equal and the US less equal after the World War 2, it may mean that our little country of NZ could become more equal again…. IF and only IF there is a political will for it. Now I don't think that that is even an option. Governments should and must have the political will to narrow income gaps. Inequality is not an option.

[Full Article:http://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/page/96/wealth-gap-worries-kiwis]

The 8th wonder of the world...

"The original Seven Wonders of the World pale in comparison to this..."
says World Heritage Committee member Edwin MacAlister.

"It is an astounding feat of human engineering that eclipses the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, and perhaps even the Great Racial Divide."

(Gap between rich and poor named the 8th wonder of the world, source: http://www.theonion.com/articles/gap-between-rich-and-poor-named-8th-wonder-of-the,18914/#enlarge)


At a press conference in Paris at the start of this year, the World Heritage Committee officially recognized the Gap Between Rich and Poor as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," noting that the global wealth divide is the "most colossal and enduring of mankind's creations."

Committee chairman Henri Jean-Baptiste said:
"Of all the epic structures the human race has devised, none is more staggering or imposing than the Gap Between Rich and Poor". "The vast chasm of wealth, which stretches across most of the inhabited world, attracts millions of stunned observers each year, many of whom have found its immensity too overwhelming even to contemplate. By far the largest man-made structure on Earth, it is readily visible from locations as far-flung as Eastern Europe, China, Africa, and Brazil, as well as all fifty U.S. states."

One Johannesburg resident said "When I stare out across its astounding breadth, I'm often moved to tears," whose home is situated on one of the widest sections of the gap. "The scale is staggering—it makes you feel really, really small.Insignificant, even" "While numerous individuals have tried to cross the Gap Between Rich and Poor, evidence suggests that only a small fraction have ever succeeded and many have died in the attempt."

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This article from America's Finest News Resource have truths in it but, I was disappointed by such negative view of it towards the widening gap of wealth and poverty. Yes, it may be an overwhelmingly huge, or as described, "breathtaking" issue, but it does not mean that we can just take a deep breath and watch it grow bigger and bigger,  letting TINA (there is no alternative) attitude to rule. 


[Read full article: http://www.theonion.com/articles/gap-between-rich-and-poor-named-8th-wonder-of-the,18914/]

Blue Gold: World Water Wars

Gold and water?

What do they have in common?

To sum it up in one word... 

Power.

Often in countries like NZ, where there's abundance of rain, river networks and lakes, we take water for granted even though we somehow all know that the supply of clean drinking water on this planet is finite. As the world's population expands, the demands of industry and commerce increase. Potable water is no longer as easy to find as it once was, as pollution from urbanization fouls more and more of our natural resources, also damaging natural cycles. Many believe water will become an advantageous strategic commodity in the future, which will create negative social implications. Poverty is more likely to escalate as more and more people can't access and can't afford clean drinking water, as already seen in African countries.

This film examines the growing battle over control of the global water supply. The film features how major corporations and financial institutions in the world are buying up territories where large water supplies can be found, showing examples of the fight to protect the Great Lakes, and also the allegations that one of the world's most powerful political families is attempting to corner the market on water in Paraguay. 

To quote from the film "It's not about wealth, It's about power". And power comes from ordinary citizens who collectively fight to keep their community, region and nation water supply free and shared fairly by all.