The Christian scripture “Peace on Earth and goodwill to all” is not only the hope of those who celebrate Christmas, it’s also both the weary longing of those who don’t profit from the war, violence and division that has characterised recent local and global history, and the go-to solution for political and community leaders looking for solutions.

In practice, however, “goodwill to those like us and ‘please stay peaceful’ to those who aren’t” may be a more accurate characterisation of our collective experience as wealth shifts inexorably upwards, basic universal services are outsourced – disability support, early education, aged and health care – shifting shareholders into the role of primary beneficiaries, and the corporatisation of not-for-profits has social services providers placing increased market share higher on their priority list than improving the lives of the Australians doing it toughest.

It is hard to pursue the vision of “goodwill to all” when the system feels rigged towards “more money and power for them” and you’re struggling to buy Christmas presents for your children, lining up at endless unsuccessful rental inspections, carrying the stress of insecure work or, for others, working long hours while still being unable to pay the mortgage. Even harder when you’re........

© The Guardian