I am not usually one for public confessions, but I feel that something must be said. You can imagine how difficult this is for me to admit to. I am just an ordinary Joe Blow trying to make their own way in the world. There's nothing special about me. And since there's not, maybe what I have to say many of you can relate to.
I'm different, perhaps, because in this matter I'm more in touch with my feelings than you are (or maybe it's just the way I was bought up). When the consequences of my actions dawned on me I, personally, found the guilt overwhelming.
In order to seek some relief, at least allow me to confess what I have done.
You know that huge budgetary shortfall the new federal government is talking so much about? I caused that. Little ol' me — through my own carelessness and selfishness — drove this country deeply into debt.
But how can one person, you ask, be responsible for debts of such a grand scale? I, on my lonesome, of course, wasn't that wasteful. But me and a few million others like me can do a whole lot of damage when we throw caution to the wind.
And this is precisely what has happened: you, me and the other one have been massively negligent these last 20 years. We let spending skyrocket out of control. Sure, it was a lot of fun, wasn't it? It always is when someone else does all the planning for tomorrow while the rest of us got a free ride. I don't know about you, but I got my veins stripped for free then backed up for a month off work, compliments of DSS.
So now the money has run out. The chickens, as they say, have come home to roost. And I'm the culprit. The money was all spent on me. It is up to me — and a few million like me — to make restitution.
I am reminded that such a challenge can be character building. I'm mature enough to recognise my culpability so I accept my punishment. I am going to face up to the consequences by receiving the federal budget with the magnanimity it deserve. (Nay, I will welcome it as the morning star.)
To those who lose their jobs as part of the cutbacks all I can say is that I'm sorry. I didn't realise it would all come to this. When I read about these closures and lay-offs, you must believe how truly penitent I am.
If there is anything I can say — or do — to lessen the impact of these unfortunate but necessary measures let me hear it now. But in the absence of an alternative voice the federal treasurer must speak for us all. If there must be savage cuts, so be it.
The pain and suffering to follow is all part of someone's grand plan. Since this chalice has been passed to us all, we must accept it and drink from the bitter cup knowing that it is the fruit of our own actions that fills it.
I'm sorry. You're sorry. Life's a bugga isn't it.
Forgive me, for I knew not what I did. ( There, I said it.) Mea culpa. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.
Dave Riley