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Maybe its my age (grumpy old man on the horizon), maybe I've just had a bad run, or maybe I am right: that there is a growing band of people who still, after all the tough medicine of Thatcherism and the tidal wave of consumer-driven "me"-ism, still think that the state owes them a living. I am having to bite my lip more and more often at those who-no matter how irresponsibly they have lived-come to me to demand that the rest of us bail them out. I'm pregnant again, get me a bigger house (partner? don't be daft); I have a twinge in my back, I couldn't possibly work; I'm a budding poet, why should I have to work for my benefits, I need space to create. (No, you just need space.)
When I think of the hard pressed families caring for disabled children 24/7 or those with chronic illness, or those suddenly made redundant or suffering tragedy, and the lack of adequate help they often receive, it makes my blood boil that there is a tiny but growing minority who are perfectly capable of standing on their own two feet, but who choose to come knocking on the door of state provision every five minutes.
The default position for all of us should be: I am responsible. Only if I can't make it, or hit hard times, should I look to my fellow citizens for support.
I am totally committed to helping those in need and I do not mind paying my taxes for that. But it is assessing the "need" from the "want" that we don't do very well. I want to know that anybody we help from the benefit system is trying their hardest. If they are, let them be helped and generously. If they are not, well come back when you are.
Above all, we need a system that knows the difference between the two. We don't have that at the moment and an overhaul is needed.
There has never been so much money showered upon the British people as now. When the next recession hits, as it surely will at some stage, there is going to be a massive squeeze on public expenditure. We need a streamlined system that channels limited resources to those who really deserve it, not those who are having a laugh.
What do you think?
Gary
posted by Gary Streeter M.P. on Tuesday, May 15, 2007
3 Comments:
Mr. Streeter,
It has nothing really to do with your age as anyone with an ounce of mallam (northern word for sense) knows you are perfectly correct in your assumption.
As an long time ex-seviceman, my wife and I worked hard to build what little we now have in material possessions. Due to circumstance we have lived for many years in council accomodation and we're thankful for that but, like thousands of other ex-servicemen we are heart sick at my taxed pension paying for single mother's accomodation and every other darn thing they require.
I have voted Conservative for years in the faint hope that one day we shall have a a Conservative MP for our area of Devonport; the faint hope being that we have an armed forces build up with less capital spent on wasters. Will never happen - not enough people can get out of bed to vote.
Mr. Streeter,
Yet again single parents come under attack!! While i agree the benefits system is too soft on many single parents and there should be harsher consequences for those which refuse to improve thier employ-ability, i have take issue with all single parents being tarred by the same brush.
I am from a single parent family of four children and my now elderly mother worked almost everyday from the age of 15 to 60. Three of her offspring have gone on to graduate from university and work hard in various industries and are reasonably well rounded individuals even if i do say so my self :). And what are her rewards for working all those years and producing socially responsible offspring? Mininum wage, long hours, a low state pension, poor public transport in the south hams,no NHS dentistry, poor access to local services the list goes on.....Not once has she complained or moaned herself.
I believe grouping all single parents together as 'wasters and spongers' is a dangerous generalization and must be avoided. You are correct however that financial support should be better targeted.
I have never voted conservative and would never as i grew up in the 'Maggie years' and to be honest i see little change within your party between now and then.
Furthermore as a resident of the South Hams for the last 26 years i have seen very little positive improvement to the quality of life, whilst taxes and council expectations on residents increase.
Thanks for your comments. I'd like to make it clear that I was certainly not referring to single parents in general- the vast majority of whom are hardworking and worhty of admiration for the difficult job they are doing.
I was talking about those people (parents or otherwise) who believe they are owed by the rest of society and make no effort to improve their own lives or contribute in any shape or form to their communities.
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