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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ways to change the UK for the better....

145 replies

allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 21:27

We always see suggestions in random threads of what we need to do to improve life in the UK for the average working person. I'm curious what you would do, with all the ideas together in one thread...

(PS before anyone points it out, I know its not an AIBU, but I'd like to see the honest answers that this area produces. Plus you can decide if each others ideas are Unreasonable Wink)

I shall be back asap with my own list.............

Heres a controversial one to get you started: If you are a young mum that still lives with your parents and doesnt work, you shouldnt get healthy start vouchers to spend on formula

OP posts:
theexample · 14/02/2011 22:11

And robot lollypop men who can automoatically detect child abusers and chase them, before lassooing them with a robot rope (a ropot, if you will) and dishing out robot justice to them. But the robots would also provide formula milk so they remain a little controversial which also prevents everybody loving them to the extent that their egos inflate and they gain the desire to take over the human world. They could probably do other little tasks during school holidays.

bubbleymummy · 14/02/2011 22:12

X-Stitch no one is trying go make you feel bad for ff. Sometimes needs must but we can't sweep bf discussions under the carpet at the risk of offending anyone who ff.

PIQ - afaik yes they do and I think they actually pay higher fees.

Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 22:14

I never said anything against people who have trouble with their milk, in fact I said it should be free for EVERYONE that has a medical problem, regardless of income.
My problem is with the HS vouchers encouraging mums on these benefits to FF, especially as a lot of people I know FF (with the vouchers) so they can leave their child and go out on the piss. I'm not going to complain that they're getting drunk with my money (Wink) but if they CHOOSE to FF (not if they have to), they should have to pay for it just the same as someone who isnt on benefits.

However, thats the last I'll say on the subject. I wanted to see other peoples suggestions too, not keep justifying mine over and over :)

OP posts:
xstitch · 14/02/2011 22:14

I didn't say I was against bf, quite the opposite in fact.

Ariesgirl · 14/02/2011 22:14

The country is billions of pounds in debt and parts of society are violent and broken and hate-filled and some people think breast milk is the priority? Reeeeeally?

usualsuspect · 14/02/2011 22:14

The government should give wine vouchers to all people on low incomes

saffy85 · 14/02/2011 22:15

"They have free babyfood in their breasts if they dont want to pay for it"

God I hate comments like this. Always uttered by a person who knows fuck all but carries on chatting bollocks regardless.

Neither me or my sister, our mum, our gran or apparently my gran's mother managed to BF. For simple reason that the supply was non existant and then dried up completely. Shit happens. We all got on ok. Not the end of the world. Although it does feel it at the time.

saffy85 · 14/02/2011 22:16

"My problem is with the HS vouchers encouraging mums on these benefits to FF, especially as a lot of people I know FF (with the vouchers) so they can leave their child and go out on the piss. I'm not going to complain that they're getting drunk with my money () but if they CHOOSE to FF (not if they have to), they should have to pay for it just the same as someone who isnt on benefits."

Bet they all have flat screen tellies too Wink

Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 22:17

FFS, read my posts!!

Btw, I started with that one as it was already at the front of my mind. I have made other suggestions. And I never said they had to be realistic (thanks *theexample" :)), I just wanted to know what you thought would make the UK a better place!!

OP posts:
bubbleymummy · 14/02/2011 22:18

Aries, feel free to make your own suggestions for improvement. Bf support was just one thing people thought could be changed for the better. You may think there is something more important than that but I bet it is important to the mum who is crying in the middle of the night because she can't get milk into her hungry baby.

xstitch · 14/02/2011 22:18

IME alcohol causes a lot more problems in this country than ff.

When I was at University foreign students paid higher fees but that was a long time ago and I don't know if it changed.

theexample · 14/02/2011 22:18

Robots don't even have breasts. :(

usualsuspect · 14/02/2011 22:18

All council houses should have swimming pools

Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 22:20

saffy - yup Grin

On a slightly serious note, I live in a sink estate. The worst examples you've seen people mention on MN all live in my street! You might think the DM makes them up, but they do exist Grin

OP posts:
goodkate · 14/02/2011 22:20

In the big scheme of things does it really matter how a child is fed as long it is being fed? And to be honest I don't think the robot lollypop man gives a shit either.

And I'm not bothered that the government pays a few pence per bottle for a bit of milk cos it stops babies dying from malnutrition, despite being a right wing Tory heartless bastard.

What is proving almost beyond reasonable doubt is that chucking money to solve poverty does not work and we have to come up with some better ideas.

The one I'd like to put forward is a vast improvement in education across the board from parenting to university.

Either work, volunteer, go learn how to be a good parent, or go to college and get your dosh otherwise you get nothing.

Those in poverty have to made to feel proud again and have self-esteem, they are depressed, see no way out and I don't blame them for bottle feeding, smoking, drinking and taking drugs cos they must feel their lives are shit. They deserve better than what we give them at the moment, which is complete and utter despondancy & dependency.

There I'm going to have a lie down now.

twirlymum · 14/02/2011 22:20

Free custard on Fridays.

FellatioNelson · 14/02/2011 22:20

I saw almost exactly this thread title on Netmums when I noseyed over there the other day. Just thought you'd all like to know.

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 22:21

People that live in council houses should be prepared to downsize/swap with other families as needs change.

xstitch · 14/02/2011 22:21

bubbleymummy I remember that well, still have nightmares about it :(

usualsuspect · 14/02/2011 22:21

I live on a council estate ..quite normal people live round here though

usualsuspect · 14/02/2011 22:22

well I had a feeling it was a one of those threads

PinkIceQueen · 14/02/2011 22:23

The one I'd like to put forward is a vast improvement in education across the board from parenting to university.

Either work, volunteer, go learn how to be a good parent, or go to college and get your dosh otherwise you get nothing.

Whoop whoop goodkate, I salute you Grin

theexample · 14/02/2011 22:23

I also live on a council estate. Squirrels live next door. How did squirrels buy a house?

Original poster
allsquareknickersnofurcoat · 14/02/2011 22:23

usual - then you're lucky

I agree re downsizing houses

OP posts:
xstitch · 14/02/2011 22:23

Good post goodkate

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