T_Bone wrote:
Why not just simply stop giving them unlimited support for the rest of their lives? Make them get jobs. People who don't have to work have very little respect for those that do.
An interesting point. The problem with saying that in the UK, is that people with some left leanings (like me :-) ) will argue that not everyone who is unemployed wants to be unemployed. To tar them as all lazy b'stards who contribute nothing to society is wrong.
BUT, I have been unemployed, and claimed unemployment benefit. And a few things are apparent...
There ARE enough jobs out there for people who want them. The thing is, people will refuse to work if they don't think the job's well paid enough or the job's 'below them'.
My parents are both in their late 60s / 70. They have never claimed unemployment benefit in their lives - there was no such thing when they were kids. You went out to work as soon as you were able, and you brought that money home for your family. If you didn't work and 'pull your weight' there wouldn't be enough food on the table, full stop ['period' :-)].
If I've turned to my mum in the past and said, "I'm not gonna bother with that job", it doesn't pay enough, my mum used to say "It's all money, you're lucky to have the chance to work".
But today I think the welfare system IS too good. I used to see people claiming benefit who had never done a proper days work in their life. They would [very rudely] answer their mobiles in the queue to sign on [to receive that weeks cheque] and they would say something like "I'm in the dole office, I'll sort you out later" or even, one day, "I've got a bit, how much do you want?"
So these people were going to get their money to buy their drugs to sell on.
You see, I don't see how even a socialist can condone the welfare system the way it is. Why should some people work their arses off, pay taxes etc, when other people sit around at home smoking weed and having kids?
Its the same with thieves - they've never sweated after doing an honest days work
"People who don't have to work have very little respect for those that do."
Exactly. I'm not sure they've even got any self respect. If they'd sweated like everyone else, they wouldn't be so quick to steal from others who worked for their living. I mean, I could sell drugs, mug old ladies etc, but I have too much self-respect, and respect for other people to even think about doing that. Whatever happened to social repsonsibility?
I am totally serious when I say this - reintroduce national service. You don't have to do anything military - people could learn a trade, work in the community, with disadvantaged kids, the elderly etc. Learn some self-respect, learn some respect for others - one of the things about a work environment is that you have to learn to get on with other people. Hell, you can even make some lifelong friends...
