It's interesting to note that those nations with large debts to service have all got welfare systems of one sort or another.
Now don't get me wrong, I think having something to retire on from the government is a wonderful idea, especially as I'm not too far away from it.
But the reality is clear, the welfare systems of this country, and many others, are becoming increasingly unaffordable.
In New Zealand the government borrows a quarter of a billion dollars a week just to keep things afloat. And that doesn't include Christchurch!
The New Zealand welfare system needs rewriting from top to bottom if we are to survive the next generation in any sort of reasonable shape.
Retirement needs to start later than 65. We're all living well into our 80s. Unemployment beneficiaries need to in some form of training/education to continue to receive the dole after 90 days.
Sickness benefits need a total rethink, as does the Domestic Purposes Benefit.
Nobody under than 20 years of age should be entitled to the Unemployment Benefit or DPB. To get something out, first you have to put something in.
And while we're at it, where does the word ‘benefit' come from? The NZ Government is paying people to fail. I can't see any benefit in there for anyone.
Can you?

Graeme Martin, Otumoetai.