So much for the image of tough, can-do Aussies.

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We have a growing proportion of people who just think life will be dished up to them on a plate.

We used to talk about "whingeing poms". Not any more. The pot just cant call the kettle black. The state of our public discourse is parlous to say the least. Complain, complain, complain. Participating requires too much effort. Someone else can do that. The trouble is someone else will.

The recent interest rate rise will be hard for those who took the chance that interest rates wouldn't rise as much as they have.

The housing debate will come to the fore again. And again it will not look at the whole picture. A failure to engage in healthy public discourse has led to jingoistic punch lines being thrown about.

There's no pretending that government decisions don't or haven't played a role in the mess we have to deal with.

Federal and state and local governments both individually and by failing to work together have left us with a housing supply that in number, location and style is inadequate. The current excessive immigration intake hasn't helped.

But that is just part of the story. Add to that the high expectations of the current generation looking for housing. Not too many are looking at small apartments outside the city, or small houses. It bears repeating that if you want inner-city apartments and houses with bedrooms for everyone, a pool and an outdoor kitchen you're going to be paying more. Lots more.

Then there's the question of what you can afford. It's no doubt true that the proportion of your salary that now goes on housing has gone up. Only part of that is due to demand for bigger, better, closer to, or in, the city.

But what they don't mention is their broader expectations. Perhaps, I was scarred by a grandmother who used to wash the plastic bags in which potatoes were packed, hang them on the clothes line and use them to store vegetables in the refrigerator.

Yes, I have knitwear that is 17 or so years old and a few shirts to cook in from 2004. It's around-the-house stuff, but so what. It's fine if your choice is keeping up with some sort of fashion criteria set by those who want to sell you stuff.

But don't cry poor you because you choose to spend so much on clothes. No judgement at all on the decision. But that's what........

© Canberra Times