Fuming that they are talking of taking away pensioner bus passes and the triple lock

[jdoe8]

I'm still 40 years before I will get these, but I think we need to fight to keep these for future generations.

For many people they will have left school at 16 and worked until they were 65. Now after all those years of paying their taxes they aren't getting much back so the very least we need to do is allow them to travel and guarantee that their income will rise every year.

It makes no difference Blanche. I'm certainly a net giver but who knows what I will need in the future. And having worked in SS I know quite how expensive good quality care can be if you need it.

And of course lifestyle makes a difference. Ironically not in the way most people think. If you smoke, drink and eat terrible food, you will probably die nice and early while working thus saving a fortune.

I'd much rather see my taxes go to those who need it than those who don't. Even if those who need it are young homeless, or disabled parents, or child carers. Those groups whose votes aren't courted.

Makes no difference So why are so many here so set against pensioners?

Of course it makes a difference. That's basic economics... I gove in now, whilst I am earning, I take out later, or whenever I am in need That's how the welfare state works! But the % paying in is decreasing (40% and dropping). Something has to give and focussing on a single cohort is nonsensical!

And if those whose votes aren't courted just gt up and voted, they'd make a difference! If they got more involved politically it would make a difference. And don't say it won't, we/they can't. Plenty of people with no time, money or background in being political have done so.

Political malaise isn't new, but seems to be fairly entrenched at the moment.

I gove GOVE!!!

Fuck! I am doomed!!!

When I said nobody uses a bus if they don't need to I forgot about that other planet called London. Elsewhere there might be two buses a day or two a week and they are absolutely essential for old people to reach the bright lights of the market town, which has a supermarket and a doctor's surgery.
The politicians who decide on bus passes and pensions inhabit a different world.

So why are so many here so set against pensioners?

Because working age benefits are being cut while retirement benefits are being increased. Rightly or wrongly, some people think that's unfair.

I knew what you meant. I too live in NotLondon

I'm blaming the big pharmaceutical companies for making drugs that cure bloody everything. Can't get rid of the old fuckers. (I'm obviously joking, very bad taste).

Were increased.... 10 years ago! A new policy that was introduced because pensions were failing. It has a finite lifetime and is already timetabled for review!

Rightly or wrongly there are many such policies, the whole benefits system, being reviewed, just not on your timetable, perhaps!

It will end. The pendulum will swing back to younger people again. That won't work, it won't be equitable for some and round we will go again!

Big Pharma? What was the company that increased its prices by 12000%

Can we blame them??

I work with youth a fair amount. And they are disaffected. With mainstream politics. They are often very involved with single issue and other, alternatives. They aren't ignored because they're disaffected. They're disaffected because they're ignored.

We all seem to accept that politicians should ignore people who don't vote. But ACTUALLY their job is to work for ALL OF US. Voters or not. They all appear to have forgotten that.

but lifestyle? That makes no sense!

Who benefits most from subsidised arts, museums, national parks, libraries, leisure centres, adult education, motorways, clean beaches etc. etc.?

Somebody with a car, bikes, enough money to buy tickets and swimming lessons? Somebody who worries about buying food?

Who benefits most from the police? An individual who lives in an area with high crime or low crime?

Who benefits most from a healthy, well educated population? somebody living in an affluent area with a thriving economy or somebody living in an area with no jobs?

Who gets the net benefit from transport? Somebody in the south east where the numbers make regular bus services viable, or somebody in an area that requires more subsidy but where the service is almost non existent?

Trying to work out whether somebody is a net giver is like pulling a thread on a jumper until the whole thing unravels.

Ultimately the important question is whether the system works.

I remember being single issue minded

That is how things go, for every generation. The youth is disaffected, the establishment forgets it was ever young. The cycle is endless.

And I am not sure everyone accepts that politicians should ignore people who don't vote... sadly the politicians we can currently vote for are careerists rather than grass roots politicians. And yes, they do seem to forget that there are people who are NotThem out here in the real world.

And I sit corrected on the lifestyle comment. I was thinking more of BIL/PosionousSIL and their spend-spend-spend-cos-the-government-will-keep-us-in-our-old-age, type of lifestyle. Sorry