basically yes you raise decent points and stick them together into a readable piece. .. all I 'm saying now is, these are basic markers of true civilization; if we don't have them, we are not properly or fully civilized. It has to be done by whatever means is practical and constructive.

So don't misunderstand me .. I don't care - ideologically - how these 'markers' are established. If 'smart capitalism' will do it then that's fine by me. Australia has always squandered its intellectual and inventive treasures (in its population) and gone for the easier options of 'dumb capitalism' - agriculture and pastoral industries. - no imagination or will to develop. Other countries show their smarts and will, so their economies DO develop ..

But OTOH do the benefits really spread across the population as a whole. In the words of Monty Python: "Er, not .. as .. such .." - unless you believe in the 'trickle down effect' (hey isn't that where we get peed on from some great height?)

So some attitudes and priorities should be adjusted too .. this does not necessarily imply socialism - for goodness sake don't mention that word again, it frightens the horses ..

BTW thanks for taking me seriously enough to write a long reply; I always appreciate that.