Intergenerational report a dishonest weapon of the 1%

Alex Bainbridge writes that Intergenerational report a dishonest weapon of the 1%.

Further, Australia's GDP per capita — a rough measure of the country's wealth — continues to grow dramatically. In fact, per capita GDP growth has massively outpaced the growth in real wages, which is something every worker should remember next time the boss says there isn't enough money for a pay rise.

It is also something we should remember when the government says it cannot afford education or pensions.

The real alternative to Abbott's budget cuts — and the subtle or not so subtle media message that we cannot afford decent pensions, education and health care — is to take the money from the super rich through a fairer taxation system. The government now pays superannuation tax concessions to the very wealthiest that are comparable to the entire cost of the age pension.

A rich country like Australia should be talking about lowering the retirement age and raising pensions at the same time as we plan increased spending on renewable energy and other measures that will truly make lives better for future generations.

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I am two minds about retirement: escape from Capitalism; and exclusion from Communism.

The escape from Capitalism means that workers are no longer alienated from their labour. Retired workers are now free to pursue meaningful and fulfilling labour if their retirement benefits permit it.

Therein lies the paradox of retirement under Capitalism. Alienated labour is replaced by grinding poverty. But that is the tyranny of Capitalism: unless one contributes to the growth in profits, one is of no use and therefore denied sustenance.

Whereas, under Communism, retirement means exclusion from the economic and political system. Workers contribute to the growth of society and the spread of benefits to all people. Retirement means turning back on society.

One may do different jobs as one ages but the contributions are still valued because they are needed. Being a worker means being a citizen.

Through labour society is built and enhanced. Withdrawal from the labour means withdrawal from society.