@Ayase - That's no reason to put a stigmata on pensioners or the elderly, who (as you have already pointed out is a "maybe") have served the country at a time when we were in deep water with recovering from wars. In the 1st place, it doesn't matter what levels of expenditure the cabinet has put on each section of the budget, as a tipping point or as part of my argument. I still want my £60+ to either help myself or to go towards services like garbage pick up and (proper) road maintenance. My dad didn't join the RAF just to be constantly fighting for how much he should get as a pension, or to have to pay consequences from people -> government borrowing over the decades (for one reason or another). He is getting frail, like all elderly people, and he should enjoy his time left on this planet and it's our role as the next generation to make our own world on their foundation and to say "Thank you very much, sir/madam."
If it's only £3bn into the benefits and a lot more for pensions (due to our elderly population %), then there may have been a case to rejiggle the costs. But the FACT that there is money for the unemployed to do something with is a nice little package to be supported with. Some of which in other countries don't get, but in this one ride the wave and just let us make a splash for them. And whose fault is that? Whoever had all the money, and decided to spend and give bonuses to themselves/friends and waste money on the "more prestigious" luxuries (dining/art/services, whatever) when they could of settled.
Your notes may have argued the government "should" of thought about how much is needed in certain sectors of the budget, but NOT over the topic argument of the employment situation, the attitude towards our benefits and work, and how unhappy people are with their situation - Unemployed not getting a chance, or the employed not getting any further than the bottom rung.
@Teo - Dont apologise for being harsh - Offensive (which I dont think you were) yes, but that's more for if you called them names or abused them verbally (I.e. racially or just calling them a d*** or ugly). If you're stating an opinion and you have facts/experiences to go by, then you're just saying it as you see or know of. Stick to your guns.
However, I see fate a bit more of a cold mistress rather than the super-human ability that people can get what they want if they fight for it. Think of the civilisations in wars that have been wiped out because they thought it was right, and it was their lives that depended on the win. They died. I'm not saying that attitude is wrong - not I support it. But you are smart enough to realise that when a weak man hits a brick wall, the man's gonna come out worse, and when a job is there and just out of reach for one reason or another, you just don't get the carrot at the end of the stick. Not reason why you cant just keep snapping the stick's length down until you can reach it though.
As you said, political correctness is a sham. Ballz to it.
@vash - But it does happen. In both sides of that, you have ones who are suffering and ones who get away. Which is better? From their standing point and for others. You think about that and somewhere someone's gonna win or lose. Hence why I say I'm lucky to even have a job, as remedial as it is. But until you get rid of the idea that "money rules the world" from 65million in the UK, most of 200 billion in the world, or everyone that still have a coin to their name - the country will not help those people out of anything but pity (rather than community strength) and they will suffer more, or we'll have people getting away with their sweat and tears. Tell me you care more about others than yourself, and I'll tell it to your face - "You're a damn liar!" It could change in years, but in this current age, forget about it.
You dont want to climb a pole, then dig a hole if you like your feet on the ground. Work wasn't made for comfort, it was there to do something in your life to help yourself and others. If you dont want the jobs available, then that's not everyone elses' fault who'd do it without even thinking about their comfort zones. And if you miss that opportunity, then sit on your hands and close close your mouth. No one will want to listen to your complaints in that circumstance and all you'll be doing is p***ing people off. (Though I doubt you would go into people's faces and be that childish.)
I work with someone who has down syndrome, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him. He works, he tells you what's on his mind and he's getting the benefits from labour. I dont know what assistance (if any) he gets outside work, but he is a hard working lad, happy and is helpful and friendly. I'd rather give him a job than some cocky brat that can sweet-talk themselves into any job and take what's easy. But on the flip side, at least that cocky git has gone for work, ego aside. If they act out of line, they'll get their just deserts.
Oh and one last message for everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIHuF8WvdFk
