I've had a lot to say this week about this whole question of greed and waste. In other words, how many people are receiving money from Government to which they're not entitled? And when is an end going to be put to this welfare mentality.
In other words, surely in this economic climate the time has come to lower the boom on expectations, asking government to do everything imaginable for us.
Government will pay for maternity leave.
Government will pay for child care.
Government will pay for health care.
Government will pay for a university education.
Government will pay to keep the car industry alive.
Government will subsidise by 80 per cent public transport.
It goes on and on.
Well, government has no money - never have - other than what they steal from us. Which prompted one correspondent to say this, "Alan, this is not a case of sour grapes. I'm financially comfortable, pay for private school fees and my medical, as I should.
"I know a lady who's had a tummy tuck, courtesy of Medicare, at the North Shore Private Hospital. Now I'm uncertain of whether she paid for the room costs but I am certain the surgeon billed the approximate 15,000 dollars to Medicare.
"Reason being, she could. And apparently as she's had twins after the birth of her first, she can claim this operation on Medicare.
"The operation was for vanity reasons only. This I assure you. All this money spent on a lady who could afford private school fees, a beach house, a rather grand home on the lower North Shore, investments, overseas holidays and the like. Plays golf daily and wasn't happy with the loose skin on the tummy.
"She's a size 6 to 8 and very well maintained. No health issues at all. If I could remember the name of the surgeon I'd gladly pass this on to you but I cannot.
"I've been disgusted by this for the last one and a half years or thereabouts, and I listen to you daily and agree with user pays for medical, for all the obvious reasons, well to you and I at least.
"So many people are struggling, and this waste of money is utterly disgraceful, particularly when associated in such a way with a surgeon who must be aware of the mess in our hospitals.
"What on earth is going on?"
Well may we ask what on earth is going on, and I'll tell you.
In the last 48 hours, 34 surgeons have leaked a letter pleading with State and Federal Labor Governments to deliver promised funding increases immediately.
58,000 people are awaiting surgery in New South Wales.
The 34 surgeons say without the continuing support of surgeons, massive increases in waiting times for elective surgery in New South Wales are inevitable.
Then we learned earlier this week of a $30 million shortfall in funding at Westmead Children's Hospital.
Families in Western Sydney having their surgical services downgraded because the Government can't deliver on health.
Now a laparoscopic surgeon has withdrawn his services from Nepean Hospital citing a lack of equipment upgrades.
Associate Professor Cheli Varol has said, "I have, effective of this date, cancelled all my laparoscopic procedures until the quality and quantity of the equipment used for laparoscopic procedures is radically updated."
So I wonder what families in Western Sydney think of someone being able to get a tummy tuck for $15,000, claim it against Medicare, head off for golf while they are going to work, and spend a weekend at the beach in their own beach house.
This is not the politics of envy we're preaching.
It's the politics of stupidity.
The reason the health system is on its knees is that too many people are being provided with health care for nothing when they can afford to pay.
And no politician on either side has the guts to address the reality of that issue.
