Thursday 18 November 2010

Undeserving poor? What undeserving poor?

I prefer "Ban for life".
Mr Chris Bowlby of the BBC looks at the question of morality and the dole and can't imagine anyone who should be denied benefits. 

When Britain can't tell the difference between a conscientious quadraplegic who'd take a job in a second if only he could figure out how and an able-bodied layabout who has no intention of ever putting in an honest day's work in his worthless life when he can scrounge off the dole, then it's time to put up the shutters.

I offer this as a solution to this conundrum:  Instead of starting with the idea that everyone deserves benefits and working down, start with the concept that only those law-abiding citizens who want to, but truly cannot work and have no other means of support should be offered government support–and keep it there.  Permanently. Private charities, the Church,help from one's family, friendly societies, unemployment insurance plans (preferably private), or emergency relief in time of disaster are one thing.  Dole as a matter of course is nothing but parasitism.

And I speak as a man who has eaten a lot of sardines and Ramen in his day.

5 comments:

jayessell said...

Does this mean no more multi-generational
real life Andy Capps?

Wesley said...

David, Your logic is impeccable, which means you will earn the ire and flames of any liberal/socialist/name your label for soft-headed non-thinker who can read, type, and comes across this. I hope people will read the truth and learn and not run screaming from their monitors with their eyes covered - with the expected result.

The Id said...

Whilst I disagree with your particular solution, David, I can understand your viewpoint.

I am unfortunately in and out of claiming the dole at the moment, whilst I flit from temp job to temp job in a struggle to find a long-term occupation in order to keep my flat. I dislike the feeling of owing my existence to the government to this kind of degree, and hope to be off it as soon as I can support myself. Hope you don't hate me too much.

David said...

Id, your discomfort is exactly the sort I feel when I have to fall back on the government. If they give you benefits, they can take control. I understand taking advantage of what's on offer (my attitude is that if it's going to be spent any way, it should be in a good cause) and I have no problem with that. My problem is with governments who think that it's their job to take on the impossible (literally) job of turning responsible adults into dependent infants.

Wesley said...

Id, It is also unfortunate that government policies, in too many cases, make it impossible for people of industry to turn their ideas and dreams into practical outlets that produce goods and services that people can use and benefit from which in turn causes those industrious people to need to increase production thereby requiring assistance from others (employees) thereby decreasing the number of those who need to rely on government. Because government policies have destroyed the opportunity of those who rely on government to be industrious themselves, fewer people make the effort to be industrious. Then the government tells us to hate the rich, while those in government enrich themselves like parasites on the backs of those who somehow continue to be productive despite ever-increasing burdensome business-killing regulation and taxation. It’s a vicious circle that must eventually collapse like the house of cards it is in the breeze of reality.

In short: The goal of government seems to be to make the country class poorer and more dependent while enriching and empowering the ruling class.