POOR USA KIDS

[Easy_Rider]

Pretty sure none of them chose to live that way, tragic, and I know every country has poor including us but this phrase is key...

The fact is almost 20million americans, half the poor, EARN less than £7000 a year for a family of 4

These families are working and they get paid less than those on benefits in this country. That is a one sorry socially inept nation. Makes me angry.

Well said.
Our social system on paper is great but it is open to abuse.

 

[1duck]

I used to have sugar sandwiches! Couldnt afford ketchup!

i used to eat those too, not because of poverty just because they were ace...butter+sugar+bread...that will keep anyone going.

 

[The Ken]

Well said.
Our social system on paper is great but it is open to abuse.

I think our system is ok but you are right it is very open to abuse.
In my view if you are unemployed for more than a year I think your benefit should be earned with a set amount of hours working towards a portion of your benefit payments, it would put people back (or just plain in) a working frame of mind again. If you don't do the work you don't get that portion of money, if you do more you get more. I know in reality that it isn't always this simple but it's not as hard as they make out either. There are plenty of jobs that "anyone" can do that could help make this a better country to live in.

Oddly I'm a socialist.

 

[Easy_Rider]

Well said.
Our social system on paper is great but it is open to abuse.

I think our system is ok but you are right it is very open to abuse.
In my view if you are unemployed for more than a year I think your benefit should be earned with a set amount of hours working towards a portion of your benefit payments, it would put people back (or just plain in) a working frame of mind again. If you don't do the work you don't get that portion of money, if you do more you get more. I know in reality that it isn't always this simple but it's not as hard as they make out either. There are plenty of jobs that "anyone" can do that could help make this a better country to live in.

Oddly I'm a socialist.

I'm not just talking about benefits, our health care system too that is free from the point of entry. The cost of private health care in the US is eye watering and then you'll always think twice before going to the docs in case your premiums will rise. There are millions of Americans with no access to healthcare other than emergency care, the concept of our NHS system is totally alien. If we are to live as a society then we should look after the less fortunate and believe it or not I am a conservative and used to be an elected conservative town councillor before quitting to live abroad.

What has been lost is the idea that society is helping those less fortunate and not the government. There seems to be an acceptance that taking money from the government is ok but the link between the government and those that pay into the system has been broken.

 

[cyfa2809]

I used to have sugar sandwiches! Couldnt afford ketchup!

i used to eat those too, not because of poverty just because they were ace...butter+sugar+bread...that will keep anyone going.

They are damn good, probably accounts somewhat for me not having so many teeth too i reckon!

 

[IDB1]

Sugar on toast is much nicer.

 

[1duck]

Sugar on toast is much nicer.

that was ace too or sops that was stale bread in milk which was horrible but it was quicker than most other breakfast meals.

 

[IDB1]

Quail eggs and caviar these days though.. live on benefits y'see...

 

[cyfa2809]

Sugar on toast is much nicer.

That was the other option!

 

[1duck]

Quail eggs and caviar these days though.. live on benefits y'see...

funny thing is that if you lived on benefits and shopped at lidls you could actually pull that off, although i haven't seen their caviar in a while, but they definitely used to do it and quail eggs are seasonal for christmas i believe.

probably cheaper than going to mcdonalds and buying a big mac meal! you seen the price of one of those recently? its coming onto about 6 quid.