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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask where I can send my 57p?

405 replies

drspouse · 31/07/2015 20:47

According to the Mirror if all the asylum seekers currently in Calais came into the UK and (highly unlikely) never paid any tax, it would cost each of us 57p.
To save a group of people from some of the most unimaginable horrors in their home countries, I'm more than happy to pay that.
So, where do I sign to pay up (and make it clear I'm happy for them to officially seek asylum and have their claims verified)?

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/not-migrant-hordes--people-6165167

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Kayden · 31/07/2015 21:56

Interesting that people seem to know how they'd react if they were faced with such difficulties. Let me hazard a guess, it's never even been close to a reality for you.

bearleftmonkeyright · 31/07/2015 21:57

redbinneo I think most do just that.

FortyCoats · 31/07/2015 21:58

"Being precociously aware of 'the right thing to do' has played a large part throughout our history in the UK, and is actually one of the (many) reasons we have prospered"

Not from where I'm sitting! Hmm

Hellotherehowareyoudoing · 31/07/2015 21:58

That's fair enough long, but it's a bit of a stretch to consider only your own point of view as 'right'. Anyhow, agree to disagree and all that.

needmorespace · 31/07/2015 21:58

Hassled Much as I am in favour of simply donating 57p (or more) to help support these poor people desperate to get to this country from France, I have to point out that the article in the Guardian is a little misleading in terms of the current European population. Most of those who want to settle in Europe and risk their lives getting here do not want to settle in most Eastern European countries so you won't see many of them heading to Poland or Romania. They want to settle in countries like Germany, Sweden or the UK. This would make the figures referred to by the author of this piece a little disingenuous.
I would assume, however, that the countries of choice for these people could absorb the numbers and would happily contribute numerous 57 pences if I thought it would solve the problem - alas I think it probably isn't so simple.

Hellotherehowareyoudoing · 31/07/2015 21:59

fortycoats - care to expand?

Fantasyland · 31/07/2015 21:59

No I'm not buying that red you would go to wherever you thought you had a chance at making a life for yourself and your children.

Perhaps you should come to fantasyland it's nice here Smile although we do let illegal immigrants in but not people with no compassion for other human beings

ghostyslovesheep · 31/07/2015 21:59

this is a nice thread - why do people have to be so negative - shush now - leave us wishy washy liberal types to donate if we chose and go back to the many other threads slagging off poor, displaced and disadvantaged people

I'm off to watch The Last Leg x

QuintShhhhhh · 31/07/2015 21:59

I think it has been a while since Britain prospered.

Most countries, think very highly about themselves and their standing in the world.

Would you believe Norway has the same self-centric view that they are the bellybutton of the earth?

FortyCoats · 31/07/2015 22:00

Yeah, no problem ... I'm in Ireland.

Hellotherehowareyoudoing · 31/07/2015 22:00

We have 'prospered' in the sense of quality of life for the majority of citizens. I am NOT minimising the struggles of many, but the facts of our economy make us a 'prosperous' country.

Hellotherehowareyoudoing · 31/07/2015 22:01

And yes, most countries draw the world map with themselves at the centre - such is human nature I guess. We are all narcissists on some level...

swallowed · 31/07/2015 22:02

I'm not going to worry about a relatively small handful of illegal immigrants coming to the UK. I am of the mindset that, to go through what they have gone through, and to take the risks they take, what they have come from must be pretty horrific.

Immigration on the whole is a positive thing. I'm not going to lose any sleep over a few thousand illegal immigrants, who will be eventually deported anyway if they are found not to have a claim.

AmeliaNeedsHelp · 31/07/2015 22:02

Seriously, what kind of person sees another human struggling and thinks 'fuck them, they're not from my country, I don't care if they die'? None of us are claiming to be perfect, but the OP has found one small way that some of us can help. Don't donate if you don't want, but ridiculing and belittling those are trying to improve the situation is pretty shitty.

Individually, 57p isn't much. It isn't going to solve the crisis or even buy one person a blanket. But it's better than doing nothing.

SylvanianCaliphate · 31/07/2015 22:04

I'm in.

I know what it would take for me to seek refuge in the situation these people are in, and it isn't for a few extra quid and child benefit like some people think.

longfingernails · 31/07/2015 22:04

AmeliaNeedsHelp Why would they die in France?

redbinneo · 31/07/2015 22:06

"I'm not going to worry about a relatively small handful of illegal immigrants coming to the UK. I am of the mindset that, to go through what they have gone through"

They traveled throng France ffs

HellRunner · 31/07/2015 22:08

These people could legitimately claim asylum in France but they chose not to because they are desperate to get to UK - just ask yourself why that is and then think why a whole load more wont think it's great and come here too. Our country is too small and already in massive housing crisis - lets just let another few thousand in. Meanwhile can I go live in Canada/USA/Aus/NZ ? (to name a few) ? Oh No I can't cos they actually police their borders and immigration properly.

swallowed · 31/07/2015 22:08

Are you being deliberately idiotic and obtuse red?

Or do you think the migrants are French?

Genuine question - your post is confusing.

Theresaflyinmyhouse · 31/07/2015 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

swallowed · 31/07/2015 22:09

Hell you can go to France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Greece, Poland, Romania or one of many, many other countries.

Feel free. You'll find it an eye opener.

JassyRadlett · 31/07/2015 22:13

Meanwhile can I go live in Canada/USA/Aus/NZ ? (to name a few)

Sure, you can go there, claim asylum, and have your claim processed. Off you go.

We have 'prospered' in the sense of quality of life for the majority of citizens. I am NOT minimising the struggles of many, but the facts of our economy make us a 'prosperous' country.

While you're waiting for your asylum claim to be processed, you could spend some time thinking about where our relative prosperity comes from, perhaps.

Hellotherehowareyoudoing · 31/07/2015 22:13

As an aside- fear is a very affordable currency for prosperous governments to trade in. And certain, very powerful, sections of our media are more than happy to broker for them.

Hellotherehowareyoudoing · 31/07/2015 22:13

Sorry, Jassy I don't understand the point you are making.

AmeliaNeedsHelp · 31/07/2015 22:15

long, I'm not sure I said they would die in France. I don't live in France, and don't really know an excessive amount about France so I don't feel qualified to answer that question.

I do know, however, that people risk death to make the crossing from Calais. And that as they arrive illegally they have no way to feed / house themselves here, so I gave my 57p in the hope that it helps to protect someone from dying once they arrive here. HTH.