I'm disgusted by Osbourne jumping on the Phillpott bandwagon created by the DM

[aufaniae]

So, yesterday there was outrage after the pictures of dead children were used in the most cynical way by the Daily Mail to sell the idea that welfare "scroungers" are evil, with Phillpott branded a "vile product" of the benefit system by the DM.

What's our government's response today?

George Osborne, when asked about the claims, said a debate was needed about whether the state should "subsidise lifestyles like that". link

To add insult to injury, he was visiting Derby when he said this (which is where the children lived and died).

How fucking insensitive can you get?

[limitedperiodonly]

A lot more than a grain of truth.

[flaminhoopsaloolah]

Is it ok for me to smirk? So very true...inheriting money and having daddy make sure you go to the best schools etc obviously makes you qualified to run the country.

Not that I think I could run the country - I'm no where near qualified.

[Mrsdoyle1]

Thank you, Dawndonna and Aufaniae - a wonderful spoof that hits the nail on the head!

[pumpkinsweetie]

Love it aufanie

[aufaniae]

I do too :) But I feel about taking credit.

It was Dawndonna who found it.

[flippinada]

I did enjoy that link, thanks for posting it :)

[jennywren45]

Glad you all spotted the differences . He's running the country and your average benefit claimant ain't so not really so similar, eh?

[flaminhoopsaloolah]

You're misding the point...again...jenny

[Dawndonna]

I really enjoyed watching that fly right over Jenny's head. Says a lot really.

[Dawndonna]

Ooo, sorry, thank you Aufaniae

[jennywren45]

I know, I'm so stupid giggle, have no idea how I hold down such a good job like most other stupid tories.

[danielle1981]

I would have to agree with Staceys post, she's hit the nail on the head!

[flaminhoopsaloolah]

I dont have anything against Tories jenny...I do have something against people who stereotype.

[jennywren45]

And I am not missing the point. I simply don't agree with yours.
Osbourne inherited wealth. He has a job for which he receives a salary. How is that remotely like being on benefits where you get money from other people for doing nothing?

Or are you against all inherited wealth ?

[Dawndonna]

OFGS.
He didn't work to get where he is. He'd be alright if he were doing something else. He is never going to be in a position of need. There will always be someone to tap for a job via the 'old boys network'. He will never have to do a Tebbit.
I would rather someone running the country who had valid experience. I don't count Cameron's experience as valid. Heartbreaking, definitely, but not valid.
You missed the point by few miles. How do you think I live?

[flippinada]

I what the parody is aiming for is this: having inherited wealth and being in a position of privilege doesn't automatically make you superior to someone who is poor and/or on benefits.

That's how I read it anyway.

[flippinada]

I *think

[flaminhoopsaloolah]

Jennywren - is there any chance you can debate constructively wuthout being childish and sarcastic?

[jennywren45]

No.

[jennywren45]

Dawn the problem with what you say is that most politicians form all political persuasions are in a similar boat - Clegg, Miliband, Blair...all wealthy , cocooned and somewhat removed.
Not sure how you redress that.

[Dawndonna]

Not entirely sure you'd want to, Jenny.

Don't give a flying fuck anymore.

[jennywren45]

Ciao

[ivykaty44]

Mrsdoyle1
The 'wealthy' in this country are currently taxed at 50% - Is it really a large chunk compared to someone earning a lot less - I wasn't sure so did a few calculations

when they earn over a certain amount that part of their earnings is taxed at 45%

It isn't the entire earning that are taxed at 45%

e.g if you earned £155000 then your take home pay per year would be £92.837

£55.848 would be income tax - that is a lot of money in my view
£6.314 NI contributions
total £62.162

making 40%


If your salary was £50000 per year your income tax would be £9.818 per year BUT your NI contributions would be £4.214 a total of £14.032

meaning 28% has been taken in total 12% less than someone earning 100k more.

In real terms it is surely the average wage earner that is paying a lot into the pot

what do you reckon?

[Molehillmountain]

Great link. Made me want to jump up and down and say "exactly". Typed a couple of paragraphs and deleted several times so I obviously can't articulate what I feel about the unfairness of the current view of benefits and poverty. But it seems to be heading back to the idea that the poor are somehow morally inferior to the rich. I can't pin it down exactly. But luck, good and bad, seem to have very little place in it all whereas I think they are critical and central,

[Viviennemary]

A lot of Labour politicians come from extremely priviledged backgrounds. And champagne socialist types with very left wing pie in the sky views have put me off the Labour party. I don't like Milliband. And I don't like the fact that the only labour policies are to disagree with almost everything the government does. It's not very convincing. I do want to see reform to the welfare state and some sort of cap on benefits to prevent people raking in thousands a month.