tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post8020618781830909003..comments2024-03-28T09:16:33.241+00:00Comments on Diary of a Benefit Scrounger: Vote with your HeartsSue Marshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14849801822216267250noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-67974255238328691822012-02-03T11:33:33.873+00:002012-02-03T11:33:33.873+00:00The above post Feb 3, 2012 02:11 AM was posted to ...The above post Feb 3, 2012 02:11 AM was posted to the wrong place and should have been posted in 2nd Feb Entry: WARNING - TOXIC GOVERNMENT. I have reposted. Sorry about that but have a shocking headache and can’t think straight. <br /><br />ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-3064275997255850832012-02-03T10:11:44.850+00:002012-02-03T10:11:44.850+00:00I get more angry as time goes on, today I sit here...I get more angry as time goes on, today I sit here seething with anger and frustration. Surely we must have some grounds for challenging them, the government’s welfare reforms will certainly contravene article 25 of the Universal declaration of human rights<br /><br />Article 25.<br />· (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. <br />· (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.<br /><br />Even the benefits we have now are inadequate to meet the criteria above.<br /><br />Furthermore we have to fight to save the NHS <br /><br />The future looks bleak, we have to carry on with the campaign , we cannot give in. Often it takes a long time to achieve social justice, it is likely to be a long fight. They have attacked the most vulnerable group in society. <br /><br />Shame on government and all who support them.<br /><br />I don’t give a dam about the national debt or how they pay it back if they ever do. We did not cause it. Savings from destroying our lives are but a drop in the ocean of a debt of 1 trillion!<br /><br />Who does the government owe this money to? big corporations? other nations?. Why is not this information available? I mean precisely word for word, figure for figure, exactly who the hell do we owe this money to. I bet many of these evil MPs have shares in the very corporations that we own money to. <br /><br />Does anyone have an answers to these questions ; is it just me that is ignorant about such matters <br /><br />We have to continue to fight this corrupt and evil government, a government devoid of empathy, humanity, compassion or indeed any ethical consideration to those in society who are disabled, sick and vulnerable. <br /><br />Sue is right . We need to expose every infringement, every deprivation, every death, every injustice, every facet of suffering that will result from these heinous welfare reforms, and “hold them to account for every single person hurt by their policies. ...” <br /><br />For this purpose perhaps we could set up a Con/Dem Wall of shame blog similar to the Spartacus Stories where we could post accounts for every single person hurt by their policies, accounts of our personal experiences and those of others we come across on the net and elsewhere. Just a suggestion not sure about the practicalities or if anyone else has suggested this <br /><br />My son has been summoned to an ATOS assessment. His GP considers he should be in the support group, at the very least in the work related group. We will have to see what happens. A worrying time for me for him and for us all. Is it is not enough to struggle with sickness and disability day in day out without having to confront this nightmare of uncertainty. I fear for the future of my son, myself and for all of us who struggle with disability and chronic sickness which of course amounts to the same thing. If you are chronically ill and are not able to do what well people do, you are disabled are you not<br /><br />They can glibly present their tired rhetoric about benefits going to those who need them but we all know at the end of the day everyone will loose money and will have to struggle on much less in a time of escalating prices, of food, housing and energy. It’s going to get colder this week, already it is reported that 200 people per day may die from cold. That number will increase as these evil reforms kick in.<br /><br />Another good and inspiring piece of writing Sue.<br /><br />To answer your question:<br /><br />“Are we going to let this happen? Are we going to give up on democracy altogether? Are we so cynical, so fatigued by corruption that we're just going to sit back with a sigh and give up? “<br /><br /> NO MOST CERTAINLY NOT! <br /><br />ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-75480394646639149912012-02-03T01:45:59.043+00:002012-02-03T01:45:59.043+00:00Stop looking for ways not to work, this may be the...Stop looking for ways not to work, this may be the first time you have done this may come as shock,,,,TURN OFF THE TV .. People will always find ways to make money from idiots .. so why not fill in an application form for employment. Then and only then your life may stop centering around TV adds.<br />And Findlow your answer is your stupid,, it was some crap on television, its not real its a bow with light in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-706288433578299972012-02-03T01:36:30.459+00:002012-02-03T01:36:30.459+00:00The thing is, the government is abandoning any dut...The thing is, the government is abandoning any duty of care to anyone who is in the WRAG (capable of only limited or therapeutic work or preparation towards work) once 12 months have passed. It only effects those who have previously been employed. It is discriminatory for this reason too. If the definition of disability is any condition that adversely affects daily living after 12 months then these people are essentially disabled. They have rights as such. <br /><br />The problem is that the work capability assessment ensures that those who genuinely ARE debilitated by their conditons are not being placed in the support group where they should be. Just because ATOS has made a decision does not mean they are not disabled. Carers, doctors, therapists, consultants etc have the proof otherwise. We know it and the government knows it! They have admitted that 94% of those people will not find work within the time limit. No one can argue they are neglecting disabled people if they not being correctly assessed. They just wash their hands of us. That simple. Even when we've worked and paid for what we believed was an entitlement to sickness benefit.<br /><br />The work capability assessment fails hundreds of thousands of genuinely sick people and places them in a cycle of appeal and reassessment every 3 to 6 months. For those with mental health problems especially, things like bipolar, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, these are illnesses that are made worse by stress. I seriously believe in such circumstances the government is causing intentional harrassment, causing mental illness and driving people over the edge. For those who have been hounded to suicide, the government ought to be made accountable for their deaths and sued. <br /><br />I am so angry. I've been left without any income since being refused ESA even though nothing in my life had changed. Still battling daily with the same illness as before. Once you've made your intention known that you are appealing money shoul be forwarded to you immediately. Instead you're left penniless and completely in the dark by the DWP who don't even seem to know their own proceedures.<br /><br />It is a complete and utter disgrace. Sick and disabled people should not be treated in this way. It's time the Court of European Human Rights was informed of what is happening in this country. We also know why Mr Cameron was so keen to undermine the authority of the European court. Secretly, I think he's terrified he'll soon be the one on trial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-17594968489633449362012-02-03T01:31:05.167+00:002012-02-03T01:31:05.167+00:00Does prove a point, JD is a very expensive drink a...Does prove a point, JD is a very expensive drink and the working classes have to drink the supermarket own brand.<br />Would drinking have anything to do with your health issue, did you bring it on yourself... and who the hell do you think has to pay for the pills you have with you..... back to my squash (31p bottle)<br />read between the line for your answer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-79196731949343455112012-02-03T01:23:44.409+00:002012-02-03T01:23:44.409+00:00Barcode on good
And the NI ?
Wake upBarcode on good<br />And the NI ?<br />Wake upAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-40382463810354729472012-02-02T10:25:45.483+00:002012-02-02T10:25:45.483+00:00Well, I'm dead then.Well, I'm dead then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-76840337847758545932012-02-02T10:04:34.510+00:002012-02-02T10:04:34.510+00:00I agree its never gone away, just that there creat...I agree its never gone away, just that there creating a new one, people living with disability. I see so much hate on forums towards people claiming benefits that the average joe on the street thinks were all on over 26,000 a year, spending 200.00 a week on ciggies and booze and driving round in new cars. The rise in support for UKIP and the BNP is just a sad reflection of our society, looking to blame all its ill on some part of the society we all live in. Instead of everyone being united, the nazi coalition keeps us all divided and arguing amongst ourselves about who's to blame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-84855837642271513562012-02-02T10:00:36.077+00:002012-02-02T10:00:36.077+00:00What I find remarkable is that the LibDems have sh...What I find remarkable is that the LibDems have shown their true colours now, we know they are closet tories. The Lib Dem minister Collett was absolutely appalling in opening the debate. Her rancid tones set the atmosphere for the day - disabled people, most of whom are only so in their 'minds' are the enemy of the state, just like the miners apparently were. They don't care or even believe they are providing enough to support people - the agenda was to SAVE MONEY and bash the poor - it's what they do.<br /><br />At the same time of stripping disabled people of their humanity, their dignity and their income this self same government is looking to promote the invasion of Syria ... and has done absolutley nothing about the economy. Cameron a millionaire, has no trouble claiming DLA for his sick child but is now denying it to thousands of genuine disabled people - what a bastard<br /><br />They are the most vile set of miscreants ever to run the country - they have no mandate for this because nobody in the country voted for a coalition government. They are liars, cheats and rancid nazi apologists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-51275769917115997512012-02-02T09:48:10.886+00:002012-02-02T09:48:10.886+00:00extremely well saidextremely well saidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-9124195419122697472012-02-02T09:46:23.190+00:002012-02-02T09:46:23.190+00:00there is no doubt in my mind that cases will be ta...there is no doubt in my mind that cases will be taken to the European Court of Human Rights - and they should.<br /><br />The UK must provide the lowest level of support for the vulnerable, the worst health care, the worst social care in the western world.<br /><br />They need stoppingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-80775031119292176832012-02-02T09:42:34.403+00:002012-02-02T09:42:34.403+00:00The underclass has never gone away. Indeed has bec...The underclass has never gone away. Indeed has become the ordinary voice of the right wing, UKIP and BNP are thriving and being allowed to do so because the Coalition caan rely on them to speak their vile evil rhetoric. You only have to look at the blogs on newspapers to read the vile unacceptable face of the underclass - acceptable only ot the Nazi Coalition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-53117517398898167462012-02-02T09:31:43.934+00:002012-02-02T09:31:43.934+00:00The problem is they did vote with their hearts. Bu...The problem is they did vote with their hearts. But too many of those hearts are cold and devoted only to themselves and their interests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-39233489145435458052012-02-02T09:06:10.316+00:002012-02-02T09:06:10.316+00:00When are we all going to realise that politicians ...When are we all going to realise that politicians don't represent the vast majority of people who actually vote for them. I've heard so much spin and mis information the last few months that you'd think we were living in an old style communist state, maybe we are.<br /><br />These reforms were never mean't to simplify or make sure the money goes where its most needed. I have just spent 3 months of the most stressful of my entire illness being transferred to esa and within a week of that I've had a letter calling me in for a work focused interview, which I can't attend as I'm feeling very poorly at the moment. Is this new system designed to kill people so saving the government money ?<br /><br />I will say this, in the 80's the government destroyed communities, created a society of greed and created a forgotten underclass, sounds to me as though thats what there trying to do again only this time its disabled people that are the scapegoats for all the ills of the economy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-30174688041070841762012-02-02T05:32:13.854+00:002012-02-02T05:32:13.854+00:00"The probability that we may fail in the stru..."The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not deter us from the support of a cause we believed to be just." <br /><br />Abraham Lincoln<br /><br />That was such a moving piece of writing Sue which bought tears to my eyes, though I can’t help but feel a sense of profound sadness after all our efforts. I think you and Kaliya and all the others prominent in this endeavour and those of us less prominent did a marvellous job. Though we have not won the battle we have not lost the war. The Spartacus report and all our campaigning, letters, emails and tweets, blogs and so on have at the least highlighted our plight and have changed our public imagine from being unworthy scroungers to sick and disabled people with a genuine need. People whose lives are to be seriously effected by these cruel and ill thought out reforms.<br /><br />I may be naive but I was shocked yesterday as MPs voted against the amendments, including the need for cancer patients to have an assessment and including them in the one year time limiting Esa, these small concessions that would have mildly mitigated the cruelty and evil welfare reforms could not even be allowed to pass. What good is democracy? What democracy? How is it democratic that MPs are told how to vote. Your MP is supposed to represent you. I would well imagine that the majority of people would have supported at the least the amendment not to include cancer patients in the one year time limiting Esa or require them to go for an assessment. <br /><br />Yet if your MP was a Tory he voted against your wishes, if he was a lib/dem he or she also most likely voted against your wishes. They knew that at least regarding the amendment concerning cancer patients and the amendment that ensures that severely disabled young people continue to receive contributory ESA, that the vast majority of their constituents would not have wanted their MP to vote to have them overturned. Yet they did so with callous disregard<br /><br />I spent last Saturday until Wednesday preparing e-mails and sending e-mails to MPs and because of my medical conditions even with the base of a template letter it has taken hours. I wrote to all lib/dems and about sixty Tories and for what . Out of the whole bunch I got one personal helpful reply from a parliamentary assistant of one of the MPs . These people are arrogant, cold hearted, bloody cowards. I do not know what the consequences are for MPs of going against what he or she is told to vote but whatever it is it cannot be anything like as detrimental to what will happen to sick and disabled people as a result of their cowardly actions . When addressing each other they refer to themselves as honourable , sadly there is nothing honourable about any of those who voted to overturn the amendments<br /><br />Shame on the gutless cowards<br /><br />I hope we can continue the fight<br />Though right now it does seem as though all is lost and our efforts have been in vain but we have all in ways large and small achieved a lot and we have to keep up the momentum. At the very least we have developed a sense of camaraderie with one another and we no longer feel so alone. I recall a couple of years back when my son first had to go for an new assessment how there was no help anywhere and how lonely it felt. <br /> <br /><br />You and Kaliya and the others involved in the Spartacus report did some thing momentous, something the charities should have done but did not. You gave us hope that things could have been better. And it was still worth the fight.<br /><br /><br /><br />It is a sad and frightening time for us all but<br />I hope we continue to campaign and fight for our rights as human beings<br /> <br /><br />My heartfelt thanks to all who organised this amazing endeavour. Hopefully we have only lost the battle but not the war<br /><br /> Maybe we can start with signing and passing on this petition concerning ATOS assessments:<br /><br />http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/5828<br /><br />“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” <br /><br />Margaret Mead<br /><br /><br /> ChristineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-80524022404801250902012-02-02T02:38:09.558+00:002012-02-02T02:38:09.558+00:00QUOTE: This government is treating people as '...QUOTE: This government is treating people as 'sub-human'. Workfare for example, surely contravenes article 4 "No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour." UNQUOTE<br /><br />My thoughts exactly, and let us hope that there is an army of lawyers who see this too.Avenging_Angelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-45389588155471339852012-02-02T01:31:40.316+00:002012-02-02T01:31:40.316+00:00esther mcvey used to be on tv sprouting her develo...esther mcvey used to be on tv sprouting her developing tory ideologies from the breakfast sofa. She is cretin. A try through and through, she would happily kill disbled people if it helped the tories. her and cilla black make a right pair of scouse loonsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-79583846975433439692012-02-02T00:45:36.262+00:002012-02-02T00:45:36.262+00:00The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 sets out th...The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 sets out the circumstances in which it considers a person to be ‘disabled’. It says you are disabled if:<br />- you have a mental or physical impairment;<br />- this has an adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities;<br />and<br />- the adverse effect is substantial and long-term (meaning it has lasted for 12 months,<br />or is likely to last for more than 12 months or for the rest of your life)<br /><br />If this is the definition of disability in relation to the European Convention on Human Rights then aren't some of these policies contravening them? Many people who are placed in the WRAG group will be denied ESA after 12 months and access to the specialist teams (presumably) trained to help them prepare for and return to work too. <br /><br />What about the spare room penalty? Are disabled people exempt? If people are forced to move out of their homes as a result of them not being ready or able to work because of the spare room penalty or local authority housing benefit reclassification and cuts etc, won't this be a breach of 'the right to respect for my home?'<br /><br />Any attempt to move you from your home would have<br />to be justified as being lawful, necessary and proportionate. <br /><br />and what if your support and care comes from friends and family who live nearby and you are forced to find cheaper accommodation that is too far for regular visits?<br /><br />'Family life does not just cover blood relatives. The right to respect for family life includes being able<br />to live together and, where this is not possible, having regular contact.'<br /><br />Okay, I might be clutching at straws, but if PIP goes ahead in it's current form I strongly feel there is a case to argue for human rights of disabled people affected by the benefit. Shall we form a union? Join forces with a union as suggested above? Increase the fighting fund and hire an expert lawyer? <br /><br />This government is treating people as 'sub-human'. Workfare for example, surely contravenes article 4 "No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour."<br /><br />..and Mr Cameron wants a British Bill of Rights. Would be interesting to see what rights he wishes to remove!<br /><br />Today has been a massive disappointment and an eye opener. We know what we are dealing with for certain now. They did vote with their hearts Sue. Unfortunately, their hearts are made of hardest granite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-22734386337686534152012-02-02T00:35:39.568+00:002012-02-02T00:35:39.568+00:00Thanks for an excellent article! I appreciate your...Thanks for an excellent article! I appreciate your insights and agree with what you wrote. <a href="http://www.arcadiahouseplans.com/style/northwest" rel="nofollow">northwest house plans</a>hilda dadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14687251079178494926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-54750326146249906392012-02-01T23:55:05.612+00:002012-02-01T23:55:05.612+00:00I've had a look myself, and I can't see ho...I've had a look myself, and I can't see how this would work in practice.<br /><br />I have coal fires, and am I supposed to pay the local coalman with them? A few points down, and it states that only the person who is issued them can use them; what if your carers do all of your shopping? What if you need to have a special diet, as I do (so you cut down on other things), and the vouchers are only payable to a certain level? How do you pay your transport costs out of this if most taxi firms only accept cash? How do I pay my gardener (which I am obliged to employ with regard to my social housing provider) when I usually pay him in cash? Or for extra help around the house, payable in cash, over and above the amount I pay back to the local authority for my care? Window cleaners? Carer's bus fares when they fetch shopping? Sticks from the local village hardware store? Newspapers? Internet provider? Phone? Washing machine repair man who does a 'moonlight' for you so that you can afford to have it repaired... I could go on, but you get my drift. Is this the way they will get rid of money altogether?<br /><br />It seems to me that the perfect way to stop any kind of opposition, is to restrict everyone's access to media if they claim the credit. How will we oppose anything, or be able to directly communicate anything other than by letter. If we are to have vouchers for basic living, it won't include a phone, tv access, internet; we'd be lucky to get some stamps and paper out of it at that rate, and yet stuck at home all day it is your only window on the outside world. <br /><br />How very very clever. Then we will all suffer in silence, unable to communicate or support each other. How very very evil.<br /><br />ClarebelzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-58522561148560472532012-02-01T23:36:30.309+00:002012-02-01T23:36:30.309+00:00Yeah ALL in this together.What a liar cameron is.J...Yeah ALL in this together.What a liar cameron is.Just tonight we see that the the man put in charge of the students loan company by the torys has his own unique arrangements to limit his tax liabilities so even though he works for a public service he pays himself through his own service company thereby saving an estimated 40 grand a year in PAYE which he should be paying and of course he gets 28 grand a year on top of salary fro travel expenses for his travel from his home in the south to bleedin glasgow.WE pay this so ALL in this together my bloody backside.<br />This bunch are so blooddy arrogant that they get away with anything. YEAH 10 million votes would be great and we should leeet them know they are not getting them.Somebody do the maths on the govts majoritys in various areas and i bet we can get rid of alot of them with that kind of voting power.This fight is not over by any means.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-75759494102746825452012-02-01T23:17:40.033+00:002012-02-01T23:17:40.033+00:00Hang in there, and chalk Don't let the bastard...Hang in there, and chalk Don't let the bastards get you down on the wall! Sooner or later, a whole lot of these bastards will get their comeuppance, one way or another.<br /><br />I am sure they are chortling at the success of the con trick they have pulled, but it can bounce back on them in so many ways - and I don't think it will take that long.<br /><br />Good luck with the surgery.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02037614816418802880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-23991034530204059842012-02-01T22:25:20.199+00:002012-02-01T22:25:20.199+00:00LORDS AMENDMENTS DEFEATED
Exclude child benefit f...LORDS AMENDMENTS DEFEATED<br /> Exclude child benefit from overall cap<br /> Not charging single parents for Child Support Agency if they've taken steps to reach a settlement<br /> Exempt cancer patients from means testing of ESA<br /> Means test other ESA claimants after two years, not one as planned<br /> Allow young disabled people who have never worked to keep claiming "contributory" ESA<br /> Exempt social tenants with one spare room from "under occupancy" penalties<br /> Limit reduction to lower rate of "disabled child element" of Child Tax CreditsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-86487568671820851492012-02-01T21:50:37.100+00:002012-02-01T21:50:37.100+00:00Yes and don't forget that the reason UNUM was ...Yes and don't forget that the reason UNUM was outlawed in some states of the US was for not paying up for claims people had paid insurance for. <br /><br />http://downwithallthat.wordpress.com/category/dubious-academics-universities/unum-provident/Findlownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568034298343558962.post-17054242586470258892012-02-01T21:36:39.279+00:002012-02-01T21:36:39.279+00:00a song for our times
"This is my town
Out in...a song for our times<br /><br />"This is my town<br />Out in the rust belt fields<br />We were bangin' out Buicks and Oldsmobiles<br />There was always a job<br />And the money was there<br />Some say we got a little lazy<br />Nobody seemed to care<br />(Chorus)<br />But they figured it out<br />And shipped the elbow grease<br />Down to Mexico<br />And off to the Chinese<br />And I learned a little a something<br />About how things are<br />No one remembers your name just for workin' hard<br /><br />Drove it into the ground<br />Til the factory's cold<br />Then they tear it all down<br />And the parts get sold<br />Come the lawyers now<br />Pickin' over the bones<br />This street is just ghosts<br />Where there used to be homes<br />(Chorus)<br /><br />There's a casino boat<br />Up around Boone<br />Think I'll buy me a bottle<br />And a motel room<br />Put all I have left<br />On a little black square<br />Risk it all like the big boys<br />Like I don't even care<br />(Chorus)<br />No one gets a bonus for bloody knuckles and scars<br /><br />Check out "Welding Burns" the latest record from Rod Picott. The song "Rust Belt Fields" is a co-write with Slaid Cleaves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com