Is anyone really surprised that the majority of submissions to the HCC were supportive of Variation 13 and a hardline approach to residential housing. This is after all the country where apparently the majority of “thinking people” support the notion that smacking children is a sign of good parenting.  Wow, I thought we were long over “thinking” that the following beliefs are okay.  “I’m doing this for your own good”, “This hurts me more than it hurts you”  Yeah right!  In the rush to assure yourself that smacking did you no harm have you forgotten what you felt when your parents said these words to you as they carried out those “good” parenting techniques. And who says you haven’t been affected. What are your value systems, your beliefs about humanity?
We are a punitive society and becoming more so. We are quick to blame others and further more we want our pound of flesh.  This abuse, because lets call it what it is, permeates our society from the highest corridors of power down.