From: arthur McEwan [amac@netcon.net.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 9 September 2003 9:27 AM
To: ECITA, Committee (SEN)
Subject: the economy

Could you please tell me how , according to Peter Costello, the economy is in great shape when, in addition to numerous other indicators, ACOSS has just revealed that 100,000 people are living below the poverty line. Let me give you a first hand example. I am a pensioner, don't drink,smoke, gamble or play/attend any sport, do not have a credit card and therefore am forced to live a hand to mouth existence.Yes , my wife does play croquet and does take a tatts ticket each week. We have raised and educated a family of five, but why should we have to pay such a high price for that ? After all my own Father fought (along the Somme) and died a horrible death leaving me, aged 16 to provide for his wife and family also of 5 children. What for ? My life has been one long struggle, and now in late life I have to wonder what would be the easiest way out. A plastic bag over my head would reflect on not only my own children but my grandchildren as well, so that's out. Perhaps an overdose of sleeping pills, no that again is too obvious ( even more so seeing that I cannot afford to take medication) One thought that does look attractive is starvation. I have already resorted to one decent meal /day, and will be assisted by further costs and cuts to our pensions. Yes, we do, and have for the past 50 years, pay health insurance. In closing I must add that we usually don't owe anyone any money,although at this very moment we are overdue with our power account.It will be paid tomorrow from our pension, which in turn means we must live pretty cheaply for the next fortnight.  As we get older and cannot get about much, we have no alternative but to spend more time inside out of the cold which of course means a bigger power bill.  Just how long must we have put up with the
blatant lies from politicians?                   Sincerely          Arthur
McEwan