Its a sad fact of life, oldfart that a commercial venture such as this website must keep an eye on the "bottom line". That means we dont always get what is best for us, but rather what is best for the site. For me, at least, your points are well taken and I too would like to see more depth in the "journalism" here and a stronger focus on the issues and wellbeing of older Australians.

I have seen too many articles purporting to offer information/solutions/details on some issue or another only to find the "article" pussyfoots around the issue and gives us a link to say, Centrelinks website where we must do the real research ourselves.

I am reminded of that old trueism "you get what you pay for in life" and this site is free ....... something we must all keep in mind.

Ain't it the truth. I reckon that there are so many of us (and in increasing numbers), that we should weild more clout and command (demand?) more attention to the curly issues we have to face, without being fobbed off and patronised.

I actually think that if one of these alleged "seniors" groups took the bull by the horns it might find itself quite a powerful voice - but that would take courage and foresight.

"..why not tackle some of the serious issues such as euthansia, rather than doing the sugary recipes and light stuff to the exclusion of the more serious issues....

 (adopt) an advocacy, lobbiest and progressive forum for the older population.."

While I agree with you - which would be very obvious from my posting history - it would take more research capacity than the administrators are likely to have at their disposal and there is the ever-present risk of litigation.

One avenue is to become a member of Choice and flick complaints about insurers and so on through to them. 

http//www.choice.com.au

For myself, I have tried to get members of this forum interested in issues that affect seniors - any seniors, not just pensioners, because united we stand but divided we fall - and hopefully to make representations to the local members and anyone else who might listen.  I believe in taking responsibility oneself and taking action, in a lawful manner of course.

There is a lot than can be done but isn't being done locally to ensure a decent quality of life for seniors and to ensure they are able to lead independent lifestyles for as long as possible, which government itself admits is far cheaper than any other alternative.  For instance,seniors and families alike should be demanding that their local and State representatives ensure their needs must always be taken into account and reported upon in town, roads and transport planning.  That is as easy as walking into the local electorate office of the MP to express interest and have your say.

"I have tried to get members of this forum interested in issues that affect seniors - any seniors, not just pensioners"

An admirable aim, and I agree age isn't the exclusive realm of pensioners. I am not familiar with this forum having only this thread to go by, but I do believe that there should be a central forum where seniors could express themselves collectively and perhaps make their voices louder. Young people have their tweets and facebook - but I do not know of a reputable on-line area suitable for seniors. The internet has the potential to achieve unheard of things in providing the masses with a common voice, and it should be used more effectively than it currently is.

 "There is a lot than can be done but isn't being done locally to ensure a decent quality of life for seniors"

As you say, there is much that can be done, but the potential for huge change is only recently being realised. We look at the events in the middle east and see how people power can be harnessed. Most of the older generation are not able to take that fight to the streets, but we can take it to the internet.

I have learned more and more recently about the moral and ethical bankruptcy which pervades our government and opposition alike, and I see far too many decisions based upon political expediency rather than what is simply the right thing to do. I see the influence of religious, business and other pressure groups prevailing in their manipulation of political decision making, and I do have to ponder why our society has become what it is. Alas, I have too many soap boxes and too little influence, but I do hope that someday that ordinary people will reclaim the moral high ground and reverse some of the questionable directions in which we seem to be heading. I suspect my frustration might be a little obvious.  8*)

I agree with you that Aussie forums for seniors should have the power to move mountains, but there is no avenue that I have found so far.  So start something and I will join.

"So start something and I will join."

If only it were that easy.  I guess everything has to start somewhere, but without adequate computing skills, time and expertise we are mostly in the same boat in lacking the resources. That's why I feel an existing organisation such as this web site could take the initiative. Once again, however, they are motivated by more immediate issues such as profit.

The other problem lies in choosing the issues to tackle, and in my case it is not simply age related issues but broader issues of goverment accountability and responsiveness. One has to be somewhat concerned about our government's willingness to respond to demonstrated public opinion when an issue such as Dying with Dignity receives such overwhelming public support (something like 87% of the population) yet in so many years no action has been proposed or supported by any government except NT, and that was rapidly squashed. If governments won't respond to an overwhelming majority, what hope is there for a positive response to less clearly defined issues? Moreover, what hope is there when our elected representatives have to follow the party line irrespective of their own views?