The problem is our benefits system was designed for, and by, a more socialist age in which people believed that Doing Work was honourable and dignified and that even the most menial and backbreaking of physical tasks actually made the worker a better person.

Its something I continue to believe which is why I've never claimed any benefits other than the use of the NHS so far in my life

Its sadly an outdated viewpoint.
(Carpe Cyprinidae, Thu 3 Oct 2013, 18:24, 1 reply)

I'd take issue with the notion that "the state owes me a living" is the default attitude for the majority of the population.

( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Thu 3 Oct 2013, 19:54, closed)

It's classic "divide and rule" politics, and the Tories are damn good at it
To the point where when people were polled on "what percentage of benefits are claimed fraudulently" the answer given was 38%. The real answer is 0.5%

See also, single mothers, the disabled (including all the ones shoved onto invalidity benefit to get them off the "unemployment" figures), unions, the miners, etc, etc.
Every politician has to have demons to point at to make those at the bottom feel smug about themselves so they won't notice those at the top bum-raping them for money and power.
(katie hopkins telling it where its at, Thu 3 Oct 2013, 20:14, closed)

^ This.
I reserve my hate for the political elite, as I'm yet to be convinced that they are anything other than "them".
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Fri 4 Oct 2013, 0:08, closed)

That's
Just what they want you to think.
(immadme, Sat 5 Oct 2013, 10:24, closed)