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BristolUK Nov 16th 2017 10:26 am

The country we left behind
 
Elaine Morrall died in a freezing home – the state is tossing away people’s lives

There is no doubt: “it” – that is, the safety net in this country – is breaking. Scan the news from the last week and there is ample evidence. First, the finding from the MS Society that, in the face of cut care packages, thousands of young disabled people are being put in homes for the elderly. Then the Birmingham Mail reported that pupils in the city are “stockpiling” food in their pockets at school to avoid starving at the weekend. Or – achingly in the light of Elaine’s death – the warning that cuts to support for the poorest and ill people to heat their homes will lead to “needless winter deaths and acute suffering”.
:(

DandNHill Nov 16th 2017 10:32 am

Re: The country we left behind
 
That is terribly sad.

Having worked with at risk and homeless youth in NS I’m not entirely shocked tbh.
In the UK they still have it better than here.

BristolUK Nov 16th 2017 10:57 am

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by DandNHill (Post 12383348)
In the UK they still have it better than here.

Absolutely.

The lack of support - call it what you will - can be dismal here. But Canada never had it to miss it.

For the UK to have something good, in place, and then dismantle it is just criminal. :frown:

All of the things that needed to be done to tighten things up could have been done under existing powers without the wholesale sledgehammer-to-crack-a-nut changes.

Shard Nov 16th 2017 11:37 am

Re: The country we left behind
 
It is hard to believe given the incredible wealth that exists in this country. And yet, "Theresa, there is no magic money tree" still manages to scrape a victory.

Jingsamichty Nov 16th 2017 2:05 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 
The Tories will be out on their arse next time, and for a very long time too. The only people who benefit from their slashing policies are becoming too small in number to sustain them in power.

Could you imagine being so shameless in 21st century Britain to decide that a town can't afford a library?

dave_j Nov 16th 2017 3:16 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 
The welfare state costs money, it costs a lot of money. How often have you seen reports that this new drug or that new treatment is available or that this little girl will die unless....

People's expectations of a service with finite resources is becoming infinite and therein lies the problem.

In the 1950s I remember my father receiving care in a convalescent home by the sea following an operation, nowadays you're packed off home before the blood dries. So why was it possible then in a bankrupt UK full of war invalids when it isn't possible now? Perhaps it was the limited expectations of a nation grateful to have any healthcare at all, or perhaps there was a realisation that you couldn't have it all without paying for it.

I think that it's about time the welfare state got it's priorities sorted out and concentrated on the basics once again.

Paul_Shepherd Nov 16th 2017 3:44 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by Jingsamichty (Post 12383487)
The Tories will be out on their arse next time, and for a very long time too. The only people who benefit from their slashing policies are becoming too small in number to sustain them in power.

Could you imagine being so shameless in 21st century Britain to decide that a town can't afford a library?

No not good is it, But what is the alternative? Corbyn? :eek:

Oink Nov 16th 2017 3:57 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by Shard (Post 12383383)
It is hard to believe given the incredible wealth that exists in this country. And yet, "Theresa, there is no magic money tree" still manages to scrape a victory.

Didn't she find one for the DUP?

BristolUK Nov 16th 2017 4:15 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by dave_j (Post 12383559)
People's expectations of a service with finite resources is becoming infinite and therein lies the problem.

No, the problem comes with the constant portrayal of 'scroungers' and the workshy, lazy lone parents and not really disabled and all the other stereotypes along with not bothering to do anything about the far bigger sums involved in bail outs and tax fraud.

In the 1950s I remember my father receiving care in a convalescent home by the sea following an operation, nowadays you're packed off home before the blood dries. So why was it possible then...
Is that a serious question? My mum had an Hysterectomy in Bristol in the 70s and convalesced at Newton Abbott for a week after - although she hated it and escaped over the wall before her time was up. Today it can be done in one day and you're home. Something to do with 60 years worth of improvements I believe.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 12383583)
Didn't she find one for the DUP?

She certainly did. Maybe even two.

vikingsail Nov 16th 2017 4:33 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd (Post 12383576)
No not good is it, But what is the alternative? Corbyn? :eek:

I weep for my country and actually find myself saying well let's see because if Corbyn gets in I'm staying out!

Jingsamichty Nov 16th 2017 5:29 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd (Post 12383576)
No not good is it, But what is the alternative? Corbyn? :eek:

Yes, and not soon enough.

Oink Nov 16th 2017 5:56 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by Jingsamichty (Post 12383643)
Yes, and not soon enough.

It would be nice to see our political representatives enact compassionate and supportive public policies rather than the narrow instrumental and class riven cack we’ve become accustomed.

MarkG Nov 16th 2017 7:46 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 12383669)
It would be nice to see our political representatives enact compassionate and supportive public policies rather than the narrow instrumental and class riven cack we’ve become accustomed.

A pony would be nice, too.

Simple fact is that no party has any way to fix the UK. It's far, far too broken for that. The idea that tossing May out and replacing her with Corbyn will lead to a magical, free-pony-for-all utopia is simply laughable.

But, back to the point up above about people freezing to death, it's almost as though artificially increasing the cost of fuel might mean some people can't afford to buy it. Odd, that.

Oink Nov 16th 2017 7:49 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by MarkG (Post 12383771)
A pony would be nice, too.

Simple fact is that no party has any way to fix the UK. It's far, far too broken for that. The idea that tossing May out and replacing her with Corbyn will lead to a magical, free-pony-for-all utopia is simply laughable.

But, back to the point up above about people freezing to death, it's almost as though artificially increasing the cost of fuel might mean some people can't afford to buy it. Odd, that.

It's not broken. Syria and Iraq are broken. I think the UK functions fairly well. Public policy and institutions can always be improved. It'd just be nice to have people in power who want to do so.

Shard Nov 16th 2017 7:52 pm

Re: The country we left behind
 

Originally Posted by MarkG (Post 12383771)
A pony would be nice, too.

Simple fact is that no party has any way to fix the UK. It's far, far too broken for that. The idea that tossing May out and replacing her with Corbyn will lead to a magical, free-pony-for-all utopia is simply laughable.

But, back to the point up above about people freezing to death, it's almost as though artificially increasing the cost of fuel might mean some people can't afford to buy it. Odd, that.

"Broken"...simplistic at best. Providing an adequate safety net is not beyond the country's capability.


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