tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post7337753008034756971..comments2024-03-28T11:30:46.101-04:00Comments on Murder is Everywhere: Beyond Apartheid I: Two Decades of FreedomOvidia Yuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749549092493567689noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-15710545939065279192013-11-11T06:48:42.459-05:002013-11-11T06:48:42.459-05:00Hi Kathy,
I agree with everything you say, but unf...Hi Kathy,<br />I agree with everything you say, but unfortunately the news isn't encouraging. For example, the trade unions managed to block a proposed "youth wage" (basically a government subsidy for employing new entrants to the workforce) because they thought companies would employ more young people rather than increase wages to existing wage earners.<br />As to leaders, well, I'd like to believe it is a high priority with them, but I haven't seen a huge amount of evidence for that. But there have been some quite dramatic achievements over the last twenty years. That gives hope for the future.Michael Sears (of Michael Stanley)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09886295534214542834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-57104526448480944222013-11-11T01:54:41.631-05:002013-11-11T01:54:41.631-05:00The unemployment level of youth is horrible. And ...The unemployment level of youth is horrible. And also the fact that 15 million out of 52 million live below the poverty line, and that line is set at $2 a day!<br /><br />The situation for millions of people, especially youth is so horrific, that there must be leaders who care deeply about the poor and unemployed and want to do something about it to improve their situations. There have to be jobs programs and much fairer distribution of income. <br /><br />In order to try to solve this huge economic disparity, some things have to be shaken up. Things can't continue as they are obviously. These statistics presumably tell the truth, and drastic measures need to be taken. Hope there are some good ideas and programs to do so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-70251688656907004882013-11-08T08:41:49.594-05:002013-11-08T08:41:49.594-05:00Michael, thank you for this. I do see hope in the...Michael, thank you for this. I do see hope in these numbers and am grateful to know them. You have also brought what worries me most: the power hungry who want to exploit the poor--not help them better their lot, but use them to stir up hatred, become their leaders, and then through corruption become disgustingly wealthy. Those who enjoy the widening gap between the rich and the poor never seem to consider the risks of such outcomes. And it is a world-wide phenomenon.Annamaria Alfierihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12311596277267789834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-1234112969558487312013-11-08T03:40:56.988-05:002013-11-08T03:40:56.988-05:00Yes, Everett, the growing divide between rich and ...Yes, Everett, the growing divide between rich and poor certainly isn't a South African exclusive. But here over 70% of the unemployed are aged 17-34. That's a lot of unhappy young people without a future.<br /><br />As to the better half, Jeff, you'll have to ask the other half...Michael Sears (of Michael Stanley)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09886295534214542834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-36991896208726496622013-11-07T22:57:52.224-05:002013-11-07T22:57:52.224-05:00Perhaps Goldman can take SA public? What I really...Perhaps Goldman can take SA public? What I really want to know, though, is what's with the hot new photos on the sidebar? I like them both, especially the one of Michael Stanley's better half.Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-89311872213574376132013-11-07T17:28:26.939-05:002013-11-07T17:28:26.939-05:00Great column, Michael! The quote that struck me w...Great column, Michael! The quote that struck me was, "For the rich things have never been so good. But the huge group of poor people may be starting to lose patience despite a small improvement in their lot."<br /><br />I suspect that applies (and will continue to apply more and more) to not only South Africa, but much of the rest of the world. "Interesting times" ahead.Everett Kaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12371555243187874414noreply@blogger.com