12 Days Of Xmas - Against The Cuts - Guest Bloggers apply here please.

[MmeLindor.]

If you haven't heard of the Frothers, let me introduce you to them.

We are a bunch of MNetters who are protesting against the cuts. We are not (all) lentil weaving, Guardian totting, Birkenstock wearing Lefties. There are some Lib Dem voters and even some Tories among our ranks.

If you are cross and the cuts and willing to write a blog post about the way in which these cuts will affect your life, please pop over to the Frothers blog and have a look.

Frothers

We are planning a 12 Days Of Xmas blog theme in the days after Xmas and need a blog post for every day until 12th night.

Interested? Sign in here and post on the Frothers Thread if you need more info.

Thanks.

#frothers

Here is what we have so far.

Add your name please.

12 Drummers Drumming - Military cuts or Sure Start

11 Pipers Piping Scotland What about Scotland?

10 Lords-a-Leaping House of Lords and the impact they can have on the Welfare Reform Bill and Health & Social care Bill and what we can do? ie which Lords might be receptive to influence??

9 Ladies Dancing How the cuts disproportionately affect women??

8 Maids-a-Milking Support cuts for midwives/BFing counselling? NHS reforms with a focus on how services are allocated on political lines not clinical need Clare from FYP blog

7 Swans-a-Swimming 7 water companies AS this comes the day after another utility perhaps feature 7 Lib Dem election promises that have gone by the wayside or 7 Lib Dem politicians who are coasting along nicely in their ministerial jobs who need reminding of their pre-election promises and where their conscience resides

6 Geese-a-Laying - Six fuel companies laying....a land of fuel poverty

5 Gold Rings Olympics - costs, school sport, etc MmeLindor

4 Colly Birds 4 bailed out banks ?? DLA cuts? 4 corners?

3 French Hens 3 Henchmen (Callmedave, Boy Gideon, Pinickio Clegg)?? How about 3 fat cats/organisations who are enabled by the government either via Workfare, PFI or selling off assets (like the solvent bit of Northern Rock) for buttons??

2 Turtle Doves 2 milibands How about something a bit less obvious, taking the imagery of the turtle dove and what it represents (love and loss) and twist it a bit to a comment on the coalition? A comment on the "romance" and make the point that without the coalition none of the cuts could be pushed through so quickly and so agressively?

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree. and a useless Labour parteeeeeeeeeeeeeee That is genius idea. It's a shame it comes first because it would go so well last as a summary

BLOG HERE

Sorry. Was not thinking clearly.

I have contacted someone from MSE who is VERY knowledgeable ab out ATOS/Esa/Dla/PIP to see if they'd be willing to contribute. Hope that's ok

I posted on the other thread but think it got lost - pipers piping - am not entirely sure what cuts affect JUST Scotland - and I live here! will go and google to see but don't think there's anything specific- how about using that as a DLA changing to PIP bit?

2 turtle doves - loving the romance part of it - how about touching on how some couples will not be able to live together due to benefits being cut? I certainly had to think several times before moving in with DP purely for this and now we are feeling the squeeze but if we'd remained in separate properties and seeing each other a couple of nights a week we'd have more. Tough choice to make.

I keep saying I'm going to write something but haven't as yet, am having a research to see what I could do about, I feel bad for not actively contributing.

Was wondering about the Scotland thing. How much of this is devolved so not hurting the Scots as much?

Hiya - sign me up!

I'm not really sure which one would be best - to be honest, I am quite confident at having a go at most of those subjects, so slot me in where you need. I am probably best at benefits/mental health though.

Not a thing from what I have read Mme.

welcome aboard SOE :)

useful story about military cuts www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8967023/Pay-deal-breaks-Military-Covenant.html

Thanks.

Have emailed an old contact of mine (was working out how long ago it was that I knew him and thought, bloody hell. I am getting old) so hope I will have something decent to write on sports club cuts vs ceremonies at the Olympics.

Hmmm - the Scotland thing worries me too. We are protecting our NHS and free higher education as that's what we voted for.... a party that promised to do that. We have twice as many pandas as Tories MPs, and the LibDems were all but wiped off the map at the last Scottish election. We vote different from England and this government could (un?)wittingly hand us independence on a plate. While the part of me that craves fiscal autonomy for my country crosses its fingers and holds its breath the larger part is appalled at what's going on throughout the whole of Britain and it's something we must fight together.

lol at pandas.

Seriously though, Vince Cable just made the comment that the tuition free uni education in Scotland is "unaffordable and will come to grief" (on Gransnet webchat).

Other countries manage it though. DH didn't have to go ?1000s into debt to study in Germany.

I think I have found my niche - pester power!

if that would work at all, I will attempt to write something along the lines of "but what can I on my own do to change things" handy hints on who to target, how to raise awareness and how to do it etc?

Not sure if that fits into the 12 days theme though

Maybe not, Ava but it sounds like an awesome blog post. Go for it.

Could you fit it in with lords a leaping Ava? There are a few Lords who have voted against the cuts. Perhaps make that a feature of who to target? Broaden it out a bit to 10 Lords a Leaping... But is it enough and what can we do? or similar? 13 condem lords voted against the housing cuts. There may be more who could be appealed to? Plus non-Lords?

Put me down for day seven please.

Doing well so far, but biggest problem is that we need the first few written and on the blog by this weekend. I don't think anyone will want to be sitting down on Xmas Day to get them up on Boxing Day.

So we need someone on Labour, the coalition, and 3 fat cats.

SEO
Can you do something on 4th day - 4 calling birds

12 Drummers Drumming - Military cuts or Sure Start

11 Pipers Piping Scotland What about Scotland?

10 Lords-a-Leaping House of Lords and the impact they can have on the Welfare Reform Bill and Health & Social care Bill and what we can do? ie which Lords might be receptive to influence?? ?Combined with How to Protest? Ava

9 Ladies Dancing How the cuts disproportionately affect women?? Maybe one of the feminist board? Will ask them

8 Maids-a-Milking Support cuts for midwives/BFing counselling? NHS reforms with a focus on how services are allocated on political lines not clinical need Clare from FYP blog

7 Swans-a-Swimming 7 water companies AS this comes the day after another utility perhaps feature 7 Lib Dem election promises that have gone by the wayside or 7 Lib Dem politicians who are coasting along nicely in their ministerial jobs who need reminding of their pre-election promises and where their conscience resides Isa

6 Geese-a-Laying - Six fuel companies laying....a land of fuel poverty

5 Gold Rings Olympics - costs, school sport, etc MmeLindor

4 Colly Birds 4 bailed out banks ?? DLA cuts? 4 corners? SEO

3 French Hens 3 Henchmen (Callmedave, Boy Gideon, Pinickio Clegg)?? How about 3 fat cats/organisations who are enabled by the government either via Workfare, PFI or selling off assets (like the solvent bit of Northern Rock) for buttons??

2 Turtle Doves 2 milibands How about something a bit less obvious, taking the imagery of the turtle dove and what it represents (love and loss) and twist it a bit to a comment on the coalition? A comment on the "romance" and make the point that without the coalition none of the cuts could be pushed through so quickly and so aggressively?

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree. and a useless Labour parteeeeeeeeeeeeeee That is genius idea. It's a shame it comes first because it would go so well last as a summary

Yes I can see how that fits in yup put me down.. oh you did lol

Could Ghost of xmas past, present future be tied in somewhere with anyones planned posts for xmas eve/day?

have linked this thread to liberatedwomble so they can see what we have planned so if you're reading hello, welcome aboard

And I know I keep saying it, but Scotland - think it's a no go tbh. DLA > PIP instead?

Will send to LiberatedWomble, Ava.

Yes, I know you keep saying that, but I keep forgetting to update. YY to PiP rather than Scotland.

Sorry ;)

thanks

Spent a while writing a comment here this am, then it disappeared and didn't post!?

Anyhow... Was wanting to say that I always thought that England was much like a family who had spent beyond their means on high cost credit for years and suddenly find themselves having to drastically cut spending budgets to pay it off. On that basis I am for the cuts, so not sure if I am allowed to contribute?

My concern is more that along with the cuts the govn also appear to be investing in seemingly random areas. This means cuts need to be higher to cover the new stuff. I'd rather just cuts. And I'd like someone in govn to explain what overarching principle they are using to decide what gets cut,where.

I am also concerned that it is hard working people earning just above average who get hit the most from cuts because they aren't supported by unions, who focus on higher numbers of lower paid people. Eventually those people who studied hard and worked hard all their life get peeved at having to prop up everyone else. How do we cut in a fair way that protects them too?

All interesting stuff, and well done on frothers And getting the debates going. Education needed definitely.

Yummymummy
We are pretty much all in agreement that cuts are necessary, but the question as you so rightly put it, is where the cuts are made.

You are welcome to put your thoughts into words, and write something for the blog.

Good point about the squeezed middle. We haven't really written about that yet.

Plaacemarking. Is this still the current thread?

Current thread for 12 days of Christmas planning. The frothers thread is still going but is looking rather full.

MmeR (loving the xmas name change ) has said exactly what I would have said.

Ahhh. Thanks MmeR. I will play around with some words later today and see if anything works. Ava's ghosts idea could work nicely, maybe with the labour post... Is that still one you might be needing? or even 3 ghosts...3 fat cats?

Any particular length restrictions/suggestions? Or shall I just see what happens?...

12 Drummers Drumming - Sure Start RatherBeOnTheMulledWine?

11 Pipers Piping Scotland What about Scotland?

10 Lords-a-Leaping House of Lords and the impact they can have on the Welfare Reform Bill and Health & Social care Bill and what we can do? ie which Lords might be receptive to influence?? ?Combined with How to Protest? Ava

9 Ladies Dancing How the cuts disproportionately affect women?? Maybe one of the feminist board? Will ask them

8 Maids-a-Milking Support cuts for midwives/BFing counselling? NHS reforms with a focus on how services are allocated on political lines not clinical need Clare from FYP blog

7 Swans-a-Swimming 7 water companies AS this comes the day after another utility perhaps feature 7 Lib Dem election promises that have gone by the wayside or 7 Lib Dem politicians who are coasting along nicely in their ministerial jobs who need reminding of their pre-election promises and where their conscience resides Isa

6 Geese-a-Laying - Six fuel companies laying....a land of fuel poverty

5 Gold Rings Olympics - costs, school sport, etc MmeLindor

4 Colly Birds 4 bailed out banks ?? DLA cuts? 4 corners? SEO

3 French Hens 3 Henchmen (Callmedave, Boy Gideon, Pinickio Clegg)?? How about 3 fat cats/organisations who are enabled by the government either via Workfare, PFI or selling off assets (like the solvent bit of Northern Rock) for buttons??

2 Turtle Doves 2 milibands How about something a bit less obvious, taking the imagery of the turtle dove and what it represents (love and loss) and twist it a bit to a comment on the coalition? A comment on the "romance" and make the point that without the coalition none of the cuts could be pushed through so quickly and so aggressively?

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree. and a useless Labour parteeeeeeeeeeeeeee That is genius idea. It's a shame it comes first because it would go so well last as a summary

Amended

12 Drummers Drumming - Sure Start RatherBeOnTheMulledWine?

11 Pipers Piping Scotland DLAchanging to PIP and the resulting effects

10 Lords-a-Leaping House of Lords and the impact they can have on the Welfare Reform Bill and Health & Social care Bill and what we can do? ie which Lords might be receptive to influence?? ?Combined with How to Protest? Ava

9 Ladies Dancing How the cuts disproportionately affect women?? Maybe one of the feminist board? Will ask them

8 Maids-a-Milking Support cuts for midwives/BFing counselling? NHS reforms with a focus on how services are allocated on political lines not clinical need Clare from FYP blog

7 Swans-a-Swimming 7 water companies AS this comes the day after another utility perhaps feature 7 Lib Dem election promises that have gone by the wayside or 7 Lib Dem politicians who are coasting along nicely in their ministerial jobs who need reminding of their pre-election promises and where their conscience resides Isa

6 Geese-a-Laying - Six fuel companies laying....a land of fuel poverty

5 Gold Rings Olympics - costs, school sport, etc MmeLindor

4 Colly Birds 4 bailed out banks ??? 4 corners? SEO

3 French Hens 3 Henchmen (Callmedave, Boy Gideon, Pinickio Clegg)?? How about 3 fat cats/organisations who are enabled by the government either via Workfare, PFI or selling off assets (like the solvent bit of Northern Rock) for buttons??

2 Turtle Doves 2 milibands How about something a bit less obvious, taking the imagery of the turtle dove and what it represents (love and loss) and twist it a bit to a comment on the coalition? A comment on the "romance" and make the point that without the coalition none of the cuts could be pushed through so quickly and so aggressively?

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree. and a useless Labour parteeeeeeeeeeeeeee That is genius idea. It's a shame it comes first because it would go so well last as a summary

Have got twitter user @hellbells265 interested in possibly writing something for us, will link her to this thread and the other one