{"id":28542,"date":"2014-07-31T09:14:19","date_gmt":"2014-07-30T23:14:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billmitchell.org\/blog\/?p=28542"},"modified":"2014-07-31T09:14:19","modified_gmt":"2014-07-30T23:14:19","slug":"australian-government-now-engaged-in-psychological-torture-of-its-citizens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billmitchell.org\/blog\/?p=28542","title":{"rendered":"Australian government now engaged in psychological torture of its citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\tThis year marks the 50th anniversary of the US legislation – Economic Opportunity Act<\/a> – introduced by Democrat president Lyndon B. Johnson. The law created the so-called local Community Action Agencies, which were directly regulated by the US Federal government. The aims of that legislation were relatively straightforward – “eliminate poverty, expand educational opportunities, increase the safety net for the poor and unemployed, and tend to health and financial needs of the elderly”. The legislation came out of the President’s – State of the Union Address<\/a> – delivered on January 1964, where he made the famous statement “This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join with me in that effort”. The Economic Opportunity Act became known as the – War on Poverty<\/a>. Times have changed. 50 years later, federal administrations around the World have declared a new type of War! The War on Poverty has become the War on the Poor<\/strong>. In Australia, this has manifested in recent weeks as an outright attack on the victims of mass unemployment – the unemployed. The Australian government has introduced what I have described in a number of press interviews with the national media as advanced psychological torture.
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\nThe Preliminary “Declaration of Purpose” to the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act said:<\/p>\n

\nSec. 2. Although the economic well-being and prosperity of the United States have progressed to a level surpassing any achieved in world history, and although these benefits are widely shared throughout the Nation, poverty continues to be the lot of a substantial number of our people. The United States can achieve its full economic and social potential as a nation only if every individual has the opportunity to contribute to the full extent of his capabilities and to participate in the workings of our society. It is, therefore, the policy of the United States to eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this Nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity. It is the purpose of this Act to strengthen, supplement, and coordinate efforts in furtherance of that policy.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The noble vision of a nation expressive collective will and high ideals.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in the history here is an archive of videos, documents etc to mark the 50th Anniversary of the War on Poverty – Civil Rights, Tax Cuts, and the War On Poverty<\/a> – provided by the LBJ Presidential Library. What a time it was!<\/p>\n

Here is LBJs State of the Union Address:<\/p>\n