in having learned the following on MN.

[Hmmface]

Over the past few months with the election and wotnot I have seen the following on MN and it aint pretty.

I have learned that

...even if you work there will be some smug cow telling you that you should work longer/harder rather than claim tax credits.

... anyone having more than one child and living on benefits is beneath contempt (despite the people in question pointing out that they had their children before redundancy etc)

...caring for a disabled child should not need DLA - after all you are just caring for your child innit.

...that the Labour Govt made it too easy for people to live off the rest of us what pay taxes.

..that in good times you should save save save so you don't need to claim what you are entitled to. (Conveniently ignoring the fact that many work for a minimum wage).

All the above and more has been seen recently on MN - it's not pretty and paints a really nasty picture of MN.

I have to say I have seen the other side of the coin too - people who have gone out of their way to support others and I know the opinions above are a minority. However, they are becoming a sizeable minority and it's horrible. Please think about the effect of what you are saying before posting - some people live in an ivory tower and conveniently forget they are just one redundancy away from joining those they condemn.

for my lovely Riven

Long thread to be fair, but it's all there

I have learned to agree with bran.

At all times.

erm check out the AIBU to be claiming benefits thread.......

"I'd rather be on mumsnet than in a pub full of Millwall supporters."

This should be quote of the week and I'd like a badge with it on too! MNTowers - could you arrange please? :)

Oh God not another benefits thread gone apeshit

I have learned that spikeycow is as common as me

Innit doe

"I'd rather be on mumsnet than in a pub full of Millwall supporters."

Totally off the point but that reminded me of the Pompey beat them at home and my mum just parked the car walked into the Sapr, bought milk, walked out and drove us home. Whilst the Millwallians were smashing the place up.

The OP is right but as she says it is a minority.

So youo've learned MN is home to people of wildly differing opinions? Hold the f-cking phone...

PMSL @ Heracles.

You get all types on here, there's one or two who are very vocal, and toffs well edudcated who put their voice across very loudly and clearly.

But mostly there's some good debate to be had.

tbh though - I think starting a thread asking for advice in AIBU about benefits is just asking for a bun fight.

If you want help with benefits/advice post in Money Matters/Credit Crunch and then helpful bunch will be along very soon to help you out (with a few vocal ones with differing ideas poking their head in once or twice).

I generall really enjoy the debates on MN on this subject, (even though I get arsey on 'em ) because of the range of experiences and ideas

Well said OP! I have been trying to think of a way to post something like this for a week or so. I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but does it need to be put in such a way as to belittle people, I think not.
I actually read an MNer on here saying that if had an accident that made her quadriplegic that she would not claim anything in benefits, she would rely on her savings until she could go back to work! In her dreams! I can't remember who she was but just made me realise that some people really don't have a clue.

Okay - I started this thread under a new name because the new name reflects how I was feeling at that point. For anyone who thinks there are only one or two with the opinions I posted about I would suggest looking at any of the benefits threads - some people here begrudge anyone a penny which is deemed "unearned". As a mother and as a human being I find it deplorable that there are people who think that just because they have achieved x or y in life that ANYONE can do this. The fact is that life bites us all on the bum sometime or another - that bite might well have financial implications.

Me
Mother
Part time worker
Claimer of Tax credits and working tax credits. (These allow me to work part time instead of full time).
Parent to a child with ASD
Living in social housing.

Don't get me wrong, I think MN is fabulous and enjoy debate as much as anyone else but I just think some posters need to remember that they are just one redundancy away from being in the position of those they sneer at/condemn.

Funny, what I've learnt, in my admittedly v limited experience of mumsnet is that the lot of those who work is generally ignored, whilst the lot of those who rely on benefits is pitied and sympathised with.

Believe it or not, life can actually be v tough for those of us who rely on our own earnings only, as well as those on benefits.

Far from being "just one redundancy away from being in the position of those they sneer at/condemn" many of us are actually in exactly the same position financially as those who rely on benefits. But with the added joy of working long hours and having less time to spend with our dcs.

I fully expect to be flamed now - note that there is not one dissenting voice in this whole thread - fairly typical AFAICS.

JP - I do look at the benefits (far too often for my own good

and granted - not one dissenting voice - did you read it?

I know I wasn't alone with disagreeing with the OP (and even know I know who the OP is I still disagree with her)

and granted - I suspect you are one of the rather vocal voices.........not to mention ignorant of the fact that you can be working long hours and on benefits - all at the same time.

Granted, no one is denying being a working Mother is tough.People are just fed up being stigmatised as scroungers when they have no choice but to claim benefit.The high cost of housing is stiching us all up.My own sister spends all her salary on her mortgage, would rather be a SAHM,and is exhausted.People on benefits are often from very vulnerable groups disabled ,mentally ill etc. Where is the divide coming from? Can't we all have sympathy with each other?

You have to ask who is taking us all for a ride.

Totally agree, pastyeater, esp re cost of housing being the biggest underlying problem.

MaMoTTaT - think you're confusing me with someone else. I'm hardly terribly vocal - I only made my first posts a couple of days ago (yesterday?) and don't think I've amassed more than a dozen in total.

Your assumption of my opinions seems rather ignorant, frankly - you know nothing about me or my experience.

Out of interest, MaMoTTaT, is that your usual welcome to new posters?

ermm no - sorry thought you were a regular name changer

ermm - welcome to MN

I've learnt from MN that writing in chapstick in peoples windscreens is a fantastic way of voicing my protests.