To think unversal credit is a disaster *trigger warning*

[jnfrrss]

This just popped up in my feed. Talking about someone that had an abortion as they wouldn't be able to afford the child without credits. It's not just an isolated issue, a charity says they've had a huge increase in women contacting about abortions as now they won't be able to afford to have any more children. I'm not sure what the answer is but this is very worrying

www.mirror.co.uk/money/it-wasnt-planned-very-wanted-12480380

I am just asking if their can be alternative means of helping people in need other than the government

I know you are, Bashun and I happen to agree with some (not all) of the USA's approach. But as you're seeing, that way of doing things can sometimes be a bit of a stretch for some who expect that it's the state who'll step in for ... well, just about anything really

BTW the thing about church groups helping non believers fits a lot that I've seen, but what about substance abusers and ex offenders? I can think of a few who'll refuse support to such folk - at least on their own premises - but I don't know how widespread that is?

@ Bushun at of interest do women get free birth control in America?

Bashum
I've lived and worked in the US. You can believe what you like about the suicide figures, they were specifically for people with disabilities produced by your own government departments.
As for not allowing a child who was a) dying, b) in pain and c) had zero chance of surviving the journey well, that's mass hysteria for you.

Guns - we had the sense to ban them, that's why we've only had one school shooting. We had one, be banned them, no more. Funny that.

There may not be people eating dog food but there are plenty eating out of dumpsters. I know because my Aunt owns a restaurant in Washington and one in Carolina.

People are dying of starvation in the US. You just don't want to see it.
1 in 7 US households are food insecure. 19 million children live in these homes. In the meantime 40% of the food produced is thrown away.

Malnutrition costs the government 147 billion a year.

42 million Americans rely on SNAP.

My mum was a single parent in the 60's when single mums were shunned

I'm sorry your mum had a difficult time, crunchymint, especially if she didn't have family to offer support. I'm old enough to remember that time myself, and the very few teenagers who got pregnant at my school were even made to leave and go into a mother and baby place, in case they "set a bad example"

Back then they were often encouraged to give their babies up for adoption, but while it probably worked for some I'm sure that wouldn't suit everyone

Smeddum i had the same thing happen to me on here with another poster

Accused me of stalking her on a thread when like you i also posted on it before she did.

I wonder why ppl do this.

@smeddum- I didn't make any such statements saying you should be anything like the United States you ask me a question and other post is did and I responded that's all there was no utopian promotion of America you just someone who wants to argue and have the world believe British children are eating dogs and killing themselves in Mass that was your assertion. I just said I feel we're doing okay we have survived worse than Donald Trump Marion let's just don't ring our heads and cry and it's like the government to bail us out. I am not saying that's what you expect I'm just saying that's just what we don't expect

@HelenaDove aye I remember that thread, in fact I remember speaking up for you because it was very unfair.

I guess nobody likes to be called out on blatant double standards. But in this case it was needed to be fair.

@Bashun you stated confidently that the US was doing okay, and implied it was because of faith. Neither is true.

You also high handedly made a flippant comment about atheism and our country being in the state it’s in.

God has nothing to do with it. Both the U.K. and the US in different ways are in appalling states and it’s down to elitist politicians having no empathy.

Yes you did

Hypocrisy really pisses me off too.

I find the attitudes which demean and dehumanise people depressing enough Helena, especially when it’s cloaked in some kind of faux moral superiority. When that is then only applied to poor people I find it even more abhorrent.
There will always be people who look down on others and sneer, and there will always be people to argue why that is so wrong.
I just wish it wasn’t needed.

If they ever do find themselves on the skin of their arse, they'll be glad of that safety net

Absolutely right, I know I was! The welfare state enabled me to leave an abusive husband who I firmly believe would have killed me if I hadn’t got away. Without it, my son and I would have been trapped.

I also well remember how shit it felt when people displayed open disdain and attitudes like many on this thread. It hurt, a lot, and made me feel even more inadequate and useless than I already did.

I had a poorly child, with a disability and no way out of being battered senseless. And still I was judged.

Which is why I’ll always defend the welfare state and also the majority of benefit claimants who are nothing like the propaganda images fed to us in the MSM.

That’s it in a nutshell Smeaton it’s prejudice, plain and simple. The same people who would deny all those stereotypes, would perpetuate the ones about benefit claimants.

It makes me sick.

"Unemployed are lazy fuckers with big tellies"

Jamie Oliver didnt exactly cover himself in glory when he perpetuated this myth either.

Well it looks like you lot have found your people. Instead of moaning go and improve your lives.

Completely ignoring most posters agreed with me btw😀

My life is grand thanks. Doesn’t mean I can’t listen and understand when other people’s aren't because of situations outwith their control.

Careful up on that high horse, it’s a long way down

Jamie Oliver is a sanctimonious twat.

Smeaton ive PMed you.

Aww damn

Instead of moaning go and improve your lives.
Ugh!

@mither You're as anti abortion as it gets? I hope you realise, sometimes some women HAVE to have a termination. Like I did. Not only could my body not cope with another pregnancy (contraception failure), but the Hyperemesis was so bad that the baby most likely wouldn't have survived. Even if they had, with my disabilities, I wouldn't have coped with 2 under 2 on my own. Their Dad ran off before I found out. I also would've had to spend my entire pregnancy in hospital, with literally NOBODY to care for my daughter. Not a soul. Believe it or not, some people don't have anybody.....

It's a horrible, horrible decision to make and there are so many situations like mine. I know someone who used a condom AND the Coil and STILL got pregnant.

I honestly don't believe anyone wants to do it or does it easily. These people who are against it are seemingly happy with potential miscarriages happening later in pregnancy if abortion wasn't done. And children being dragged up by those who can't cope.
Despite knowing that the chance of me having given birth were slim to none, and I risked having to put both my children into care if I'd continued with the pregnancy, I STILL feel regretful and guilty. As I'm sure most/if not all of us who've done it, do...

These campaigners need to stop.

Of course smed still never backed up the dog food claim......