Benefit Reform in the UKFollow

We Brits have a habit of sneering down our noses at America. The land where there is no safety net to catch you should you fall foul of no health insurance, no employment and the other inconvieniences of life that sometimes hurt us. We look on with pride at our services, much maligned here they are still far better than anything currently universally available in America.
We have the NHS, unemployment benefit and also disability benefit. The problem that all this brings is abuse ... clear and total abuse.

Its being reformed

I'm very happy to see some changes. I would be a labour supporter but for a hard streak in me where I come out a little Tory. I agree with the idea that the state should be spending money and investing for people who cannot work due to illnesses but I am tired of those who will not work. The type who will not even look for work, even if they can work. Why am I paying taxes for these layabouts?

I guess this comes down to rights and while I truly believe we all have a right to be caught when we fall by the state, I also believe we have a right to starve should we be lazy.

What do Americans here think about the changes?

I never read that omg. You hurt me more than you know

I admit I am going from experience and a few cases I know of personally where the system is openly abused.

On this form here, in blood ....

I am going from experience and a few cases I know of personally

This is an excellent way to arrive at public policy positions.

Can you warn me next time you decide to channel Maggie Thatcher?

I did not arrive at the policy, you give me too much credit as it was James Purnell.

Obviously I trust my public bodies to partake in engagement with the relevant stakeholders to arrive at a well researched and fair arrangements ... I just happen to agree with the outcome as it fits my personal experience.

I did not arrive at the policy, you give me too much credit

I'd say the odds of that are fairly low. On the order of Christ signing autographs photos of the Crucifixion at my local gas station tomorrow.

I would like to see that so I could also see the magic flying jew taking pictures of his little boy. What time is it?

Irrelevant anecdotal experiences are great fun, aren't they?

Expect what ever agency that decides wither someone is disable or not to be deluged with new applications as it is realized that some people just can't keep a job no matter how well you try to train them.

Social Security Disability applications rose, after Clinton sign Welfare Reform in the 90's.

I'm terribly affronted by this statement. Nobby, I hereby challenge you to a duel!

Should we do it the traditional way? Naked in Trafalgar Square, at midnight, armed with a pickled mackerel?

On a more serious note, I've got a one-on-one meeting with Chris Huhne today at the HoC. I'll ask him what he thinks of dirty benefit scroungers.

Actually, I won't, I just wanted to indulge in some name-dropping. A name that no one on this board has ever heard before, but a name nonetheless.