What's a fundamental human right? Would you rather be in Jakarta which has a right to vote, or Hong Kong which does not but has first world living standards? Hong Kong is not second best by any means. It is probably the top ranked international city in the entire Asia-Pacific region (yes far eclipsing Sydney).
Of course I've read 1984 and Animal Farm etc.
Living standards have nothing to do with it. The question is freedom - of speech (Chinese censors have clearly read 1984) and to elect my own government. I would rather live without my wealth if it meant freedom for myself and my children.
I don't doubt many older Chinese would think that is insane. It is good their children see things more clearly. If we all felt that way we wouldn't have the freedoms we enjoy now. Both world wars were only won because people sacrificed their own lives for the freedom of others.
I can understand too. Blocking major streets and disrupting the city is not the way to do it. Can you imagine if uni kids blocked off Pitt St, George St etc and basically made the Sydney CBD unfunctionable for weeks because Abbott is cutting Youth Allowance?
Another irrelevant point. In Australia we get a chance to have our say at the ballot box. Try to take that away from us and I reckon the vast majority of the population would be out on the streets.