Lots of sense
Can't believe you had to spend 6 hours to fill out a 50 page form!! YIKES. Paperwork.

Thanks Mahler5 , this is very much appreciated.
The forms are deliberately  complicated in order to put off would be claimants & it is a very effective measure !!!

Unfortunately, it is the ones who are most ill, intimidated & uneducated  & who need the help most who are put off by them.

Do you live in the same world as the rest of us?
I live in the UK, I have paid National Insurance stamp for all of my working life, This  involuntary contribution is made in order to give us benefits should we need them.

Even if you were to assume that I wasn't ill, please tell me where in the UK I would be able to receive training?
If I was able to receive training, who at age 57, is going to employ me?

This makes no sense whatsoever in particular the part which I have underlined:-

Certainly everyone should endeavour to stand on their own two feet; but there are people who suffer illness, go through divorce or loose their job through no fault of their own. To deny these people the safety net of welfare lacks compassion. The idea that we live in some sort of perfect world where appropriate jobs and training are available to all is a nonsense.

Yetti has lived a privileged life, living off a rich husband. If she didn't have his money and if she were out on her own now, in her current deteriorated mental state, she would desperately need the support of the welfare system.

But because she can live off someone else, she thinks it qualifies her to condemn others. That's the face of right-wing America, ugly as it is.

I can call you a crazy lady and tell the truth about Parker, Coutler, Gannon, et al. They're all facts. Refute them.

Having no welfare has been shown to lead to people dying on the streets. Is that what you want to see - poor people dying of curable illnesses because they can't afford to see the doctor, dying of exposure because they can't afford the often extortionate rents that are charged nowadays or getting mugged?

As Quickduck said, where is the compassion in all that?

How are the single parents going to find somebody to mind their children while they are doing a training course? Or are they going to leave them in the charge of the eldest child who might only be 8 or 9 years old or even younger? Not only does that mean this child misses out on being just a child, would they be qualified to act sensibly in the event of a disaster such as a fire or one of the children cutting themselves deeply or falling?

I've no quibble with training courses as such, but you have to mind the practicalities. Plus, there just aren't enough jobs to go around, especially for older people. Employers can pick and choose who they want in the entry level positions especially.

It all boils down to most people not meeting your standard of perfection and as Max said, calls to get rid of welfare show the ugly face of right wing ideology. These same politicians who bleat about those "wicked and lazy welfare recipients" never had it hard in their lives or forget where they came from (which to my mind is even more contemptible) and are quite happy to subsist on taxpayer dollars whilst making their rabid rants.

Sometimes one cannot work because the perception of prospective employers is that one is unable to work.

Employers can pick and choose.

Having qualifications and experience are of no use whatever if no-one wants to employ one. It is extremely hard to prove discrimination if employers claim that one does not fit the criteria.

And one does not have children in order to palm them off onto someone else to bring up.

Yes, that's exactly right. As far as I'm concerned, I have paid my taxes for years and so have my relatives so if I am in a position where I can't find work and am eligible for a benefit, I will take it with both hands. Pride doesn't put food on the table.

Despite being relatively lightly affected by autism, I have a history of depression and anxiety conditions. That in conjunction with my age (over 35) means little chance of finding a decent job (or in fact, any job) if I left or lost the one I'm now in. So how it is humane to force even worse affected people to try and find non-existent jobs? Why not let them have some dignity and go on a pension if that is what they would prefer?

With a wide-ranging consumption tax such as the GST or VAT, lower income earners and welfare recipients pay a higher proportion of their income in tax than higher income earners. I think they already do their bit so shouldn't be penalised by stricter rules.

I've been working as a 'casual' since arriving in Australia. I was managing to do everything that was expected of me despite having two untreated heart conditions. My co-workers and the immediate management were very pleased with my work.

Then I had a mini-stroke in June which led to me finally getting my diagnoses. I was put on appropriate medication and told by both my cardiologist and my GP that I was fit for work. In fact, fitter than I had been for years.

My manager and my co-workers were delighted at the prospect of having me back at work but the personnel department at head office reckon I no longer meet their fitness criteria. Now what? I cannot claim any benefits but I cannot see anyone else taking me on either.

Here are two ill, courageous  & wise women who spend a great deal of time helping other people ( a lot more than I ever could ), despite their personal problems.

These two do not carry on & shout at other people because the others disagree.

They help, help & help, often despite the fact that the people who they are trying to help don't or can't listen to their good advice....they persevere because they understand.
They see a problem & do their damnedest to do something about it.

In my opinion they deserve a medal....not dissent.

tenaciouscj...you are quite right pride does not put food on the table.

Thank you WfM.

You are welcome,
I speak as I see.

We AS's are very good at not forgetting bad things done to us.

I think that it is equally important to remember the good things.

I may argue if I don't agree with something, but I also think that it is only right, proper & important to give credit where it is due.





I recall on a thread somewhere someone complaining that to say " I agree" etc. is 'ganging up' or something like that.

It is not ganging up to agree ,disagree or to sympathise with someone.

No they don't.. there are always private charities... but an empty stomach gives incentive to work.. as seen by these statements.. why work when they give you free money.. its called lack of incentive and welfare creates that... They found giving homeless $35,000 in San Francisco did not work.. they spent the $$ on drugs and booze and still lived on the street asking for food.  

Health conditions in this country you receive Social security.. My cousins who has aspergers and OCD gets it for his OCD.. He will not get any treatment for his OCD....
yet he will live on the social security and go to the food bank...  ACLU made it possible for family not to get their adult family members treatment... He also milks his condition to others as an excuse for his sometimes violent behavior when he self medicates on wine.  He can live at his fathers home but he does not want to be near his nephew// so he complains and whines.. phones people when he is drunk how sad his life is and we sstate we will get you to a clinic to help wth the OCD and medication he says no.... and disappears for a while until he runs out of money... He choses that life....

Yetti, pull your horns in. You are ranting again. You'll get spittle all over your keyboard.