On the Queensland flood, its aftermath, and reflection on community and democracy...

As I'm visiting Australia right now, the flood in Queensland have moved me in a big way, not only in the natural disasters that could strike anyone at any time, but in the collective outpouring in financial and physical support to the Queensland community by both fellow Australians and the state/federal government alike.

Perhaps more importantly, in contrast to the fast disaster relief from the Australian government, the Bush administration's inept and non-response of FEMA to what happened when Katrina struck is decidedly humiliating.

Although I've been out of Australia for a number of years now, I've identified with my adopted country in a big way, contributing financially in however way I can. It's amazing how fast the donations have quickly racked up more than A$1 billion in disaster relief.

Collectively, we know what is to come. Food price in general is going to go up. Inflation would inch up. Export would get hit, as is GDP. Collectively, everyone tightens their belts. I don't hear much complaint from folks.

And then, the federal government, under Julia Gillard, did something that what seems like reasonable, but to many, it looks like unthinkable. She institutes a temporary flood levy. No doubt, those in America would find it incomprehensible. Truth be told, the temporary levy (that would last for a year) would cost A$5 a week for those in highest income bracket (A$200,000 or above). You won't have to pay if you earn A$50,000 a year. If you look at how a regular coffee would cost A$3+, and Australians drink a lot of coffee, you would realize that the levy is nothing, really. So, the torrent of criticism on the flood levy must be mostly psychological.

Perhaps no one sums it up better than Ross Gittins, in his common sense article on why Australians hate it so much. It has nothing to do with partisanship (which, if it had been in America, GOP and Tea Party would surely seize on). It is that general lack of faith in the financial stewardship of the Aussie governments, and the respect of the elected leaders in general. (Afterall, as Gittins is quick to point out, Gillard inherits the prime ministership not really out of rightful election, but rising up from vice-prime ministership when Kevin Rudd was pushed aside.

It's not inconceivable that, come next election, Gillard, the Labor PM now, could likely hand the baton back to the Conservative. To me, I'm always cynical and ambivalent about one politician as opposed to another, because politicans are politicans afterall. They are there to buy votes, with the ultimate goal to stay in power, whatever it takes. It doesn't matter if it's in Canberra or in Washington, DC. It's a ll the same. Or, as the old Cantonese saying goes, all crows are black under the sky.