‘Working to make Middle Class Families feel better’
For those on the bottom, the much vaunted ‘Working for Families’ (or the ‘Working to make Middle Class Families feel better’) did bugger all. For beneficiaries on the bottom of the heap, they saw no increase and in fact have a harder time. It is good to see the Child Poverty Action Group taking the Government on.
Government awaits decision on Working for Families
A reserved decision is expected after the Government returned to court yesterday to try to stop the Child Poverty Action Group taking legal action against its Working for Families package.
The Human Rights Tribunal ruled last year the group could bring a discrimination case against the package.
posted by Bomber @ 12:53 pm
17 comments
17 Comments:
I wonder if I can sue WINZ for discrimination since they wouldn't give me the dole because I had a job?
Well, life should be made better for those in the middle, those who work and strive.
Those on the bottom who do not work- why do they deserve a better lot in life? That should be reserved for those who make a real effort.
Note I am not talking about people with serious illnesses or injuries here, but those who are able bodied and unemployed.
I believe the entire idea of this legislation was to help those who work but are on lowish incomes and as such incourage working instead of collecting the doll. I know that this may discriminate against a few who due to unfortunate health or family commitments cant work but the general consencious is at the moment if you want to work you can. Unemployment is at its lowest levels since ever and by making the doll more attractive by applying this package to the doll as well would undermine one of its intended goals.
Yes some kids miss out but to be honest a large chunk of them would miss out even if their parents got this because the money still wouldnt reach them but rather reach the TAB, pokies, alcohol and tobbacco industries. Call me what ever but the proof is down the road from me in Manurewa township on thursday nights. I support greater spending on kids to remove them from poverty but cash isnt the way to achieve this, food vouchers and school grants I believe would achieve more...
Just a quick apology for my grammeur and spelling on what I said above, kinda forgot to check it :P
The thing about people who aspire to become 'middle class' we understand planning and sacrifice.
People who start with nothing but get ahead a little usually accept that they will not be able to have the children they would like when they would like them.
They know they have to work for some time to establish a home and get into a situation where they have enough income to support their own children.
Having 4 or more kids when you have no home, no job, or a very low paid one, is a choice to be poor and stay poor.
Why people have kids and then expect other people to pay for them I don’t know.
Of course if goes without saying that if/when things go wrong the state should be there for everyone, you may find when unforeseen circumstances do hit it is the (lower) middle classes who suffer the most. They lose everything they have worked for and don’t know how to play the system.
Mr Laws believes everyone on the lower end of the scale are there because they choose to be.
Raising two children on a benefit was not by choice but reasons of sanity.
Your arrrogance Mr Laws has me wondering if the people of Whanganui know how you feel about the rest of humanity trying to live a decent life.
...
Good to see so much chest beating - but if I could just buzz you all again from your gated communities, what do you all think will happen to those kids in beneficary famalies who missed out on any of the good created by the working for famalies package? Why punish those kids, how many reports do you need to see about children born into poverty - aren't you all the same crew who scream to high heaven about crime and yet won't spare a cent for those who are most susceptible to crime?
Bomber what % of those families who missed out on the 'benefit' of this package would actually spend the extra money on education, health and better food and % would spend it on more booze, gambling and smoking.
personally i would put it at 25 / 75 and that in my view is a bad return on investment.
This was designed to help the lower middle and incourage people to work so let it do that. As for crime im pretty much in favour of lenietency in terms of rehabilittation and avoiding using jail at all costs etc. They get the doll now yet my car has been broken into 4 times in the last year and on the most recent my laptop which i have been paying off over the last 2 years and has all my uni notes on taken and its exam time. I work 20 hour weeks, plus do full time uni and the only help i get i have to pay back but im not stealling shit am i.
Yes povety and crime go hand n hand, but by just pumping more money into the doll aint gonna do shit.
Good post Jeff. Its good to see someone who is prepared to work hard to get ahead and not just sit back and expect things to be given to them. Sorry to hear about the breakin also.
I was born in poverty – of course it’s a life long disadvantage. Unlike Bomber I didn’t even know what a university was until I was quite old. I remember in my 20’s actually meeting someone with a degree for the first time. Not sure what I was expecting but I recall being rather disappointed.
It’s a hard cruel world we have to make the best of it. I think I always understood there were/are people with bigger problems than mine.
Will throwing money at people really achieve anything, in fact, well-meaning as it may be, it may make things worse.
I think the buzzword is 'enabling'.
However I would be interested in hearing details of what Bomber does for those he purports to care about – I don’t mean talking, lecturing and pontificating from the safety of his comfortable desk, I mean actually getting out there and DOING.
If people are sincere there are many things they can do although I understand that many people who do things prefer to do them quietly and anonymously. Many truly genuine people don’t want, or need, gratitude, recognition or praise and I respect that.
I'm not convinced that being born into poverty is a "life long disadvantage" ... my parents were hippies from hell, I didn't get my first pair of brand new jeans until I was 14 ... I'm now a general manager of an internationally renown company earning a bloody good wage.
Don't think being born into poverty is an excuse for anything really.
NS
Its not just about money. There will always be groups, schools, clubs etc... where you and your children will never be welcome.
I find sneering jerks of the university Bomber variety always love to look down on workers like me.
No matter what you achieve you will always get their sniggers.
Mind you being barred from their little gang(s) could be seen as a blessing.
...
Grin - I love how my education is used against me - dude I came from a working class family so dump the working man crap - and for that annoying poster who always going on about 'bomber doesn't do any work for community groups' - I'm on the board of trustees for Yothline and have worked with Rainbow Youth, Youth Law, Greenpeace, Family Planning, World Vision and Amnesty International - get off your high horse because you're looking real dumb.
World Vision - please no ......
Committees and board meetings is not action is it, still they make the people on them feel good. More and more talking still no real action.
Keep safe Bomber you wouldn’t cope out there in the real world.
If a poor working class boy like you can turn out so great why can’t others – were you born superior.
I am from a poor (working class) background. I was expected to leave school at 15 and get into full-time work so I could contribute more to the household. I was disappointed but I understood my mother needed the money and accepted my responsibilities.
While still at school I could only work part-time so while I had contributed and supported myself from the age of 11 I knew more was needed, we were nowhere near the poorest I was lucky.
I also knew ‘working class’ families who did OK financially, in those days many working class jobs paid good money and if you were fortunate enough to have parents who didn’t squander it and valued education a few working class kids did go on to further education but they were the exception and, in my view, lucky.
Perhaps Bombers ‘working class’ background was a little better off than mine, or maybe he had no family and only had himself to support and worry about.
I remember when I did go to full time work (even though it was unskilled and low paid) it did take some stress off my mother and I felt proud of that, I was even more proud when I could get overtime and contribute more, that must seem funny to people today.
Having said that looking back now I think my mother was wrong to put so much responsibility onto someone so young. I vowed I would never do that to my kids, I would starve before I would take money from them.
I have known people from my background who were able to get formal qualifications later in life, I admire their commitment, I didn’t. I admit it was a combination of being to lazy, working all day (or night) looking after family then putting hours into study was to much for me, but I knew I was probably not smart enough.
Anyway good on you Bomber, I admit I envy those who had opportunities that I never knew don’t waste your good fortune and try not to look down on people like me too much. We might not be as smart and good as you but many of us didn’t have much of a chance. I think we deserve some credit (and even respect) for working hard, paying our taxes and never using our disadvantages as an excuse for hurting others.
Gosh how to you get to be a trustee - a bit like being a free-mason perhaps. Know and suck up to the right people and get an invite. I knew someone like Bomber would have some useful contacts. I am impressed, do tell us about all the very well known people you mix with.
What does a board of trustees do, oh I know have meetings in cozy offices and living rooms safely away from reality. Do you have a nice cup of tea and biscuits after, or maybe a nice lunch or dinner with a good wine.
Bet you get to meet a nice class of person being a trustee and at meetings, maybe that’s how you get to be friends with (very) well-known actresses.
Done anything yet Bomber or still talking about other people doing the real work.
I see some of your 'good works' are past tense, how can they go one without Bomber .
...
Dear Anon (and there seem to be so many nasty anonymous comments, which is just so cowardly don’t you think?)
As for your ‘what do you do’ screams, which after I point out what I do, become ‘that’s not good enough’ screams (get the feeling these anonymous posters just want to bitch with no point?) I reply thus…
An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me...It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride and superiority. The other wolf stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too."
They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied..."The one I feed."
…looking at the sheer venom some of you post with, I think you are feeding the wrong wolf.
Post a Comment
<< Home