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Food vouchers for the poor
hard_to_beat
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jul/02/ministers-food-vouchers-unemployed
So this is what the 'big society' means? Leave people to beg for charity? If this is the level our nation has fallen to, I'm trully ashamed
I'm not against food vouchers per se, but they should at least allow people the dignity of using them in Tesco and such. Basically, the government are saying that the poor are no longer welcome in the same shops as 'hard-working families', whatever that means.
Reminds me of this: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/episode-guide/series-2010/episode-9
I'm speechless, and to think millions voted for this.
So this is what the 'big society' means? Leave people to beg for charity? If this is the level our nation has fallen to, I'm trully ashamed
I'm not against food vouchers per se, but they should at least allow people the dignity of using them in Tesco and such. Basically, the government are saying that the poor are no longer welcome in the same shops as 'hard-working families', whatever that means.
Reminds me of this: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/episode-guide/series-2010/episode-9
I'm speechless, and to think millions voted for this.
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Comments
Where did the article state that ?
Agreed !
As I said, it's not the vouchers I have a problem with - I'd argue that a proportional of income support should be made up of food and energy vouchers - but the fact that, in actual fact, they are 'charity' food vouchers is very wrong.
Essentially, the government are handing over responsibility for some of the most vunerable in society to charity. I'd much rather my taxes go to feeding children in poverty than banker's bonuses, but this is what is happening.
The same would happen with vouchers for the unemployed if the big supermarkets got involved, they wouldnt give any cash back if the value of the food was less than the value of the voucher and I bet you anything you like that Tesco and co would charge the Government £25 for every £20 voucher they accepted.
The only solution would be a swipe card a bit like the new fangled gift cards you get, and again the goverment (IE your taxes and mine) would be expected to pay the supermarkets for the kit needed to process the cards
Maybe the bankers who are working in newly nationalised banks be paid in food vouchers, they are the ones who caused this mess.
The days of "money for nothing" are long gone. There is no upside to supporting people from cradle to grave no matter what they do with their lives.
And we as a society have a responcibility to treat people with dignity and food aid doesnt do that. We are not the third world.
Food parcels usually mean mouldy sandwiches that they give to the poor in America.
Considering only about 25% of the population smoke that means three quarters of benefit claimants do not smoke. Ignoring that a packet of 200 cigarettes would also cost more than someone would recieve in JSA.
This is disgusting. People who have no money because they are unemployed should not be made to feel degraded. Do these people running our country know what its like to become unemployed and the embarrassment some feel receiving JSL and other benefits? Not everyone is cheating the system. What about tax avoiders.
During these draconian cuts many people are going to loose their jobs, homes, friends will turn against them, struggle with less money, fathers may commit suicide which usually happens during such times.
Wish the government would leave the poor alone give them some dignity and remove any idea of giving food vouchers to the poor. They should be ashamed of themselves how many more of these draconian ideas are they going to dish out the poor, housing benefits cut, IB reviews, DLA investigations what more do they want off the poor - why are they made to feel like the guilty people in this society by politicians and the media when the bankers have got off Scott free and dare we mention the politicians expense scandals.
This is going too far now. I am really disgusted by it all and very sick of it all, it’s just so depressing and unfair anyone involved in this is cold hearted and mean. I think of vouchers and I see images of labelling people, a status, and people ripe for ridicule and discrimination. This would be so cruel for many who can’t help the fact they have become unemployed and poor. If there is any one from the government reading this please think again this is so wrong and ill conceived.
Very good post, but unfortunately the Tories and Lib Dems don't care. They've got their ministerial cars and perks for doing three days a week in London. They'll be enjoying the austerity they preach far more than anyone else.
This scheme is intended to provide an alternative for people that apply for crisis loans but don't get them, who would currently leave the Jobcentre empty handed and presumably unable to eat.
It in no way is intended to replace any aspect of the current system, it actually supplements it in an area which is currently lacking - how shockingly outrageous :rolleyes:
Agreed.
As for the politicians and bankers, do you ever consider what this country would be like if everyone except for the unemployed pissed off and went to live somewhere else? I can tell you what it'd be like. Like the poorest countries in Africa. People would be starving to death in the streets, because the people that ran things wouldn't be there anymore, and the people left wouldn't have a clue how to do things.
There is Fuel Direct for people who can't pay their utility bills.
There's this for people who can't afford food.
Although I don't agree with living to a basic quality of life (food, water, house and utilities), if worse comes to worse at least this allows people to remain healthy and stops those who want a loan for a night out or their latest hit from getting one.
keep pushing that's all I will say, do they seriously think people are just going to lie down and take this shit,...really?
there is trouble brewing,
I fail to see how someone who smokes heavily, subscribes to Sky and watches it on a 42" tv can possibly be described as poor. Yet only too often this is how those on benefits live These are the kind of thing they should work to obtain. Cutting back away from cash benefits will help force the lazy back to work.
Hear Hear.
Seems the out of work "men" in our town have no problems walking through town at 10 in the morning with tins of Special Brew in hand....