I am going off now so this will be my last post, thanks for the discussion.
Yes, my understanding is that money is supposed to represent the wealth of a country. The wealth at any given time is fixed. If more money is printed then that money is worth les and less a percentage of the wealth until it becomes virtually worthless. Sorry my comment before was supposed to relate to the illusion of money equalling wealth. This can work in the short term but at some stage the trick comes to an end, so to speak. The private sector cannot print its own money and so is less susceptible to that illusion.
I think the cost of living is much cheaper in the Philippines because we don’t have as much. In general we don’t have cars (for most people), quality plumbing, quality road networks, lighting, electricity supply, houses etc. We have a lot of people involved in food production so we have a lot of food. Because there is a lot of food and people don’t have a lot of wealth, then food is cheap, so is the sub standard housing and transport.
Of course you will find quite a few places in the Philippines where there are communities with good facilities, but in general the wealth created (and therefore owned) is much less than in Australia. The cost of living in cheaper in part because it is a more simple life.
I am quite certain that our (especially rural) hospitals would not have the medical facilities of an Australian rural hospital. We are not paying taxes for these things because quite frankly we cannot afford it because we don’t create enough wealth and so the cost of living is again reduced (but with a reduced level of services). Same for other welfare services - pensions, disability, unemployment etc.
Yes I am not quite sure how to tackle powerful associations and where the dividing line is between enabling there efficient running and authoritarian control. Ideally the association itself should have the character (like Catholic groups - at least in theory) to do the right thing because of its own innate moral character. This of course does not always work either in church groups, doctor associations or rich Philippino business families looking out for their own interests and running politics to suit. I am still not sure what can be done outside of participating in Catholic groups and making lots of noise if it diverts from the example 'Christ gave in the gospels.
This is a very important strength of church run groups if enough people are inspired to take part and be faithful to the new covenant.
I am sure I would agree much with you regarding certain groups being brainwashed to disregard the effectiveness of the church. We can only be on the other side and make it as effective as possible so as to counter with genuine examples of the church doing good things as an emulation of what we believe is the good news of the incarnated word.
Regards.
