Benefit Street

[LesterRam]

All too common my friend, a little one in my kids school was locked in a windowless room and never left the house , he has many problems with anger management and keeps asking is carer if he can wear a pink dress and high heels, social services have now decided to admit him and his brother to a specialist school because he is beyond the state schools training. I have had sleepless nights worrying about this poor sod.

The other lunchtime, I was in a shop close to work. In front of me in the queue for the till was a woman who could have been lifted straight out of benefits street. Anyway, she had a lovely pretty little girl who was no more than 3 or 4 years old and she had presented her mum with a bag of sweets that she wanted (as kids do). The mother then bellowed out to her "You can F*** off".

One of the shop workers then came in, who the woman obviously knew, and again she shouted out "Come and sort her out will you, she's being a right f***ing bitch". I felt so sorry for the little girl, who didn't looked shocked at all, so was obviously used to this kind of treatment.

The woman then got to the till and asked for a pregnancy testing kit.

Incredibly depressing to witness. On that evidence, what chance has that little girl got? Not to mention any possible future siblings. I've thought about it a lot since & how many other kids there are out there who are born into a life like that.

​

[Wolfie]

All too common my friend, a little one in my kids school was locked in a windowless room and never left the house , he has many problems with anger management and keeps asking is carer if he can wear a pink dress and high heels, social services have now decided to admit him and his brother to a specialist school because he is beyond the state schools training. I have had sleepless nights worrying about this poor sod.

​

​Just awful. My wife is a Social Worker & I honestly don't think I'd ever sleep again if I witnessed of some of the things she & her team do.

Morale in the service is low and deteriorating because they are struggling to recruit new workers, their case loads are constantly well over the guidelines and everyone puts the boot in on the thankfully rare occasions when things go wrong. Needless to say I don't moan too much to her when I've had a bad day at work!.

[eddie]

So by posting this tripe are you actually saying that it is your belief that all of Margaret Thatchers cabinet were / are paedophiles. That ladies & gentlemen appears to be the low level of intelligence of too many Labour supporters, a little like the ones who have been writing F**k Tory Scum on a war memorial. It is a shame for that party that they attract this type of support. 

​Now't wrong with a little intellectual snobbery, but do you have the IQ to back it up, brother? Now where's my red paint and brush?

[eddie]

Yeah some on here fit the sub 160 iq criteria, she is dead get over it...

 

​You'd be the first up against the wall, brother.

[eddie]

Well your local authority is a very good one, i have had a different experience..being sent home with a non functioning bowel, fitting due to dehydration and waiting 10 days for a simple appendix rupture, i currently have to tell the doctor i'm ill ten days before im actually ill, ask yourself why their is so much claims against medical negligence cases, the increase in the last five years is beyond comprehension.

 

​The fundamental problem with an insurance-funded health service is that it leads to a basic disparity between the haves and have-nots. If you can pay for it (and that includes paying for the insurance), then you will - or rather MAY - get very good treatment. However, if you cannot pay for it, or if you develop a condition at the time when you cannot afford to take out health insurance, then what is the solution?

Some will point to the American health system as one of merit, but there are limits to just how much health care you can get before the plug is pulled - literally - on what you are covered for and you end up with a bill that will take you three lifetimes to pay off - and the basic profit motive behind private health care means that there is a vested interest in keeping costs low but prices high in order to maximise said profits. That applies at all levels in the American health system, from the doctors, administrators, owners, drug companies AND the insurance companies. Once the fat cats are involved, then at the end of the day they are the only ones who benefit and it is the poor who suffer.

Regarding your own health problems, I presume from previous correspondence that you live in Leicestershire? Well, so do I. The fact that you have had a single poor experience of the NHS is no reason to condemn it out of hand - especially when the same doctors and nurses have successfully treated others such as myself. Mistakes happen, and you were, I presume, just unlucky - or maybe I was so fortunate as to be on borrowed time now.

It's interesting that you should cite the last five years as being problematical with respect to negligence cases. I guess the Tories were too busy filling their own pockets and cutting costs, as opposed to providing adequate funding for an institution that is still quoted by many as being the envy of the entire world. It's difficult to draw any other conclusion if it's all gone downhill so badly under Cameron's watch. Don't the right wingers seem to think that Johnny Foreigner is coming over here purely to benefit from 'free health care'? It's all a bit pointless if it's so bad, isn't it?

[bcnram]

​Now't wrong with a little intellectual snobbery, but do you have the IQ to back it up, brother? Now where's my red paint and brush?

​Yes I do, easily enough to escape your firing squad :-). but that is just something I was born with rather than having to work towards.

Having said that, I shouldn't take a snipe at peoples intelligence or lack of it. It is more a behaviour issue; like labelling  all Tory cabinet ministers in Thatchers government as paedophiles. Not a nice way to behave; even for a card carrying lefty biscuit maker.

[LesterRam]

​The fundamental problem with an insurance-funded health service is that it leads to a basic disparity between the haves and have-nots. If you can pay for it (and that includes paying for the insurance), then you will - or rather MAY - get very good treatment. However, if you cannot pay for it, or if you develop a condition at the time when you cannot afford to take out health insurance, then what is the solution?

Some will point to the American health system as one of merit, but there are limits to just how much health care you can get before the plug is pulled - literally - on what you are covered for and you end up with a bill that will take you three lifetimes to pay off - and the basic profit motive behind private health care means that there is a vested interest in keeping costs low but prices high in order to maximise said profits. That applies at all levels in the American health system, from the doctors, administrators, owners, drug companies AND the insurance companies. Once the fat cats are involved, then at the end of the day they are the only ones who benefit and it is the poor who suffer.

Regarding your own health problems, I presume from previous correspondence that you live in Leicestershire? Well, so do I. The fact that you have had a single poor experience of the NHS is no reason to condemn it out of hand - especially when the same doctors and nurses have successfully treated others such as myself. Mistakes happen, and you were, I presume, just unlucky - or maybe I was so fortunate as to be on borrowed time now.

It's interesting that you should cite the last five years as being problematical with respect to negligence cases. I guess the Tories were too busy filling their own pockets and cutting costs, as opposed to providing adequate funding for an institution that is still quoted by many as being the envy of the entire world. It's difficult to draw any other conclusion if it's all gone downhill so badly under Cameron's watch. Don't the right wingers seem to think that Johnny Foreigner is coming over here purely to benefit from 'free health care'? It's all a bit pointless if it's so bad, isn't it?

​Official figures show the number of cases registered has increased by almost 20 per cent in just one year - and by 80 per cent since 2008.

Latest forecasts suggest the bill for negligence will soon reach £19 billion - almost one fifth of the total NHS budget.

In total 16,006 patients or bereaved relatives lodged claims against the health service during 2012/13, compared with 13,517 the previous year, a rise of 18.4 per cent.

Experts said the figures reflect a lack of tolerance for poor care, and patients feeling forced to take legal action because hospitals refused to apologise or explain their failings.

Last night Margaret Hodge, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee said the new figures were “deeply worrying”.

source : telegraph 2013

 

[Rev]

​How does despising the Tory government of the 1980's equate to defacing a war memorial? I would probably be arrested if i saw some one being disrespectful to the memory of our fallen.

Rhodes Boyson, Keith Joseph and Leon Brittain have all been alleged to being involved in disgusting, sustained, organised child abuse whilst serving as cabinet members in her government. Tory MP Geoffrey Dicken handed a dossier in to the Home Secretary at the time of evidence. Unfortunately the Home Secretary was Leon Brittan and the dossier got lost....this is all in the public domain should you wish to read up on it.

 

Tbf wasn't their fault, they completely misunderstood when Thatcher told them to **** the miners!

[LesterRam]

what is this about IQ level anyway, does this pay the bills ?

[LesterRam]

​The fundamental problem with an insurance-funded health service is that it leads to a basic disparity between the haves and have-nots. If you can pay for it (and that includes paying for the insurance), then you will - or rather MAY - get very good treatment. However, if you cannot pay for it, or if you develop a condition at the time when you cannot afford to take out health insurance, then what is the solution?

Some will point to the American health system as one of merit, but there are limits to just how much health care you can get before the plug is pulled - literally - on what you are covered for and you end up with a bill that will take you three lifetimes to pay off - and the basic profit motive behind private health care means that there is a vested interest in keeping costs low but prices high in order to maximise said profits. That applies at all levels in the American health system, from the doctors, administrators, owners, drug companies AND the insurance companies. Once the fat cats are involved, then at the end of the day they are the only ones who benefit and it is the poor who suffer.

Regarding your own health problems, I presume from previous correspondence that you live in Leicestershire? Well, so do I. The fact that you have had a single poor experience of the NHS is no reason to condemn it out of hand - especially when the same doctors and nurses have successfully treated others such as myself. Mistakes happen, and you were, I presume, just unlucky - or maybe I was so fortunate as to be on borrowed time now.

It's interesting that you should cite the last five years as being problematical with respect to negligence cases. I guess the Tories were too busy filling their own pockets and cutting costs, as opposed to providing adequate funding for an institution that is still quoted by many as being the envy of the entire world. It's difficult to draw any other conclusion if it's all gone downhill so badly under Cameron's watch. Don't the right wingers seem to think that Johnny Foreigner is coming over here purely to benefit from 'free health care'? It's all a bit pointless if it's so bad, isn't it?

​which part of Leicestershire do you live eddie ?

[Boycie]

Well, at least he ain't called him a Stokie spud yet or called Jaffa cakes biscuits.

[i-Ram]

As regards @uttoxram your labeling all of the cabinet of that time as paedophiles, I do that that disgusting. Whether a handful were involved in that I do not know, and like any respectable person would probably vote to have them castrated if proven. Maybe there is the odd supervisor at the biscuit factory indulging in such acts - I don't know, but if there were, I would not label all of the supervisors as paedophiles - if you get my drift.

Totally agree, and disappointed Uttox that you use a stick like that when a great number of Labour people have evident links to PIE, and let's not overlook that Greville Janner seems to have a few allegations about him flying around at the moment.

Paedophilia is not exclusive to any political party, and my guess is that amongst the political classes the number of perverts are pretty even spread.  Like bcnram I would like to see all paedophiles castrated too.

[uttoxram75]

 

My comment was more a reference to the type of people that the Labour party is blighted with as you well know. It is a shame for that party as the type of comment that you wrote completely discredits the party that you claim to follow.

​We differ on our views of the Conservative government of that time, personally I rejoiced in the smashing of the disruptive unions that were crippling our country - good times, very good times!!

As regards your labeling all of the cabinet of that time as paedophiles, I do that that disgusting. Whether a handful were involved in that I do not know, and like any respectable person would probably vote to have them castrated if proven. Maybe there is the odd supervisor at the biscuit factory indulging in such acts - I don't know, but if there were, I would not label all of the supervisors as paedophiles - if you get my drift.

 

​I'm sure not all the cabinet were at it BCN, but when it finally comes out i won't be surprised if others were complicit in knowing about it and did nowt.

I'll not fall out with anyone over politics on here - its a football forum at the end of the day and i agree with a lot of what you say about DCFC so thats all that matters to me.

I think you're wrong about the Thatcher years, i saw too many families needlessly destroyed, made homeless, early deaths, caused by a political ideology that transferred money from the bottom of society to the top. 

As a country, a nation, we have grown ever more divided since. We've given up our self determination to the spivs and gamblers on Wall Street. 

Our nations soul was built round institutions that our parents and grandparents fought for, it was reassuring to have publically owned schools, hospitals, gas, electric, water, railways, post offices.....are we a happier nation as we give them away to vulture corporate stateless firms who don't give a flying fck about anything other than stashing away profits in off shore tax havens? 

What you see as smashing disruptive unions, I see as punishing the working class for having the temerity to want to share in the capitalist system. 

Working people, for the first time in history, could aspire to holidays, sick pay, living in a warm house, pensions, a National Health Service, maybe, god forbid, a bit of security, you know, not being sacked on the whim of ******** of a boss who dint like you.

Aspiring to not destroy capitalism, but to share it! 

Why shunt a man want to fight for his and his mates jobs, wages, working conditions, double time on a sunday, whatever.

There's enough to go round if the ones at the top are kept under control.

What's next to privatise? Many think our few remaining "socialist" (if that's what public services are called nowadays by the Tory owned press) services, like  Armed Services, Police. Border Controls etc will go until there's nothing left but a totally divided country of a small, electronically gated, powerful elite, a struggling, frightened middle and an underclass of no-go areas that turns parts or our green and pleasant land into a third world shithole.

I understand people see it differently. I have friends who see it like you. I still talk to them, work with them, drink with them, go to the match with them, i've learnt that life is too short to be angry all the time and its very rare people change once their minds are set, so life goes on.

Up the Rams and fck the Tories!

 

 

[bcnram]

​I'm sure not all the cabinet were at it BCN, but when it finally comes out i won't be surprised if others were complicit in knowing about it and did nowt.

I'll not fall out with anyone over politics on here - its a football forum at the end of the day and i agree with a lot of what you say about DCFC so thats all that matters to me.

I think you're wrong about the Thatcher years, i saw too many families needlessly destroyed, made homeless, early deaths, caused by a political ideology that transferred money from the bottom of society to the top. 

As a country, a nation, we have grown ever more divided since. We've given up our self determination to the spivs and gamblers on Wall Street. 

Our nations soul was built round institutions that our parents and grandparents fought for, it was reassuring to have publically owned schools, hospitals, gas, electric, water, railways, post offices.....are we a happier nation as we give them away to vulture corporate stateless firms who don't give a flying fck about anything other than stashing away profits in off shore tax havens? 

What you see as smashing disruptive unions, I see as punishing the working class for having the temerity to want to share in the capitalist system. 

Working people, for the first time in history, could aspire to holidays, sick pay, living in a warm house, pensions, a National Health Service, maybe, god forbid, a bit of security, you know, not being sacked on the whim of ******** of a boss who dint like you.

Aspiring to not destroy capitalism, but to share it! 

Why shunt a man want to fight for his and his mates jobs, wages, working conditions, double time on a sunday, whatever.

There's enough to go round if the ones at the top are kept under control.

What's next to privatise? Many think our few remaining "socialist" (if that's what public services are called nowadays by the Tory owned press) services, like  Armed Services, Police. Border Controls etc will go until there's nothing left but a totally divided country of a small, electronically gated, powerful elite, a struggling, frightened middle and an underclass of no-go areas that turns parts or our green and pleasant land into a third world shithole.

I understand people see it differently. I have friends who see it like you. I still talk to them, work with them, drink with them, go to the match with them, i've learnt that life is too short to be angry all the time and its very rare people change once their minds are set, so life goes on.

Up the Rams and fck the Tories!

 

 

​I agree totally with your second paragraph and the first three words of the last line. I think we can agree to differ over the rest. 

[SillyBilly]

Thought  provoking post Uttox. Trade unions are important. Capitalism needs a leash, most definitely. I get the impression Labour, the public sector and trade unions are one and the same though, disinterested in the millions of us outside their world. Until they change that perception Labour are unelectable. If Ed had threw the dog a bone, any bone, then he might now be in no. 10.

[GboroRam]

Thought  provoking post Uttox. Trade unions are important. Capitalism needs a leash, most definitely. I get the impression Labour, the public sector and trade unions are one and the same though, disinterested in the millions of us outside their world. Until they change that perception Labour are unelectable. If Ed had threw the dog a bone, any bone, then he might now be in no. 10.

Never forget that labour was (is?) the political arm of the trade union movement. Rather than be ashamed of the link I'd rather labour remember that their whole existence came about from trades unionism. I'd also rather labour fought for the rights of the trade unions, fight for increased membership...and above all fight to democratise the trade union movement and make it truly represent working people's rights.

[uttoxram75]

Thought  provoking post Uttox. Trade unions are important. Capitalism needs a leash, most definitely. I get the impression Labour, the public sector and trade unions are one and the same though, disinterested in the millions of us outside their world. Until they change that perception Labour are unelectable. If Ed had threw the dog a bone, any bone, then he might now be in no. 10.

​I believe that a strong public sector is exactly the leash that capitalism needs. It acts as a benchmark for wages and working conditions instead of a race to the bottom scenario favoured by the free marketeers.

There is no reason why a strong public sector cannot exist alongside the "market" to make the best possible society. It'll never be perfect, but a modern capitalism with a public sector as the rock that holds it all together is possibly the best way of keeping the extremes of left and right at bay.

Labour should build their future round this and campaign entirely on the principal.