Ok, so my political rationale, and why I ahve a leftie bias. Please don't think (as someone said very early on in the thread) that I automatically voye with my parents, indeed I am not sure how Mum votes. dad is politically active so I know with him, but he cleaqrly thinks as he changed allegiance from the Tories (we are talking late sixties here) To Lib Dems via the SDP and a period when I was small where I have no idea. From him I learned not where to palce my vote, but to think and consider all alternatives before making the decision. Therefore I am entitled to have my views taken seriously even by those who disagree with me, as I try to with other people.
I am a beleiver in that experiences feed the informed vote, and it is my experience that no matter how much hard work you put in, life is full of surprises, both nasty and good. People think they have a good income so are unaffected by social provision- I wonder how many relaise that a palcement for a severely disabled person can cost £1000 a week? And how many truly recognise that disability and illness can happen to anyone in the blink of an eye?. It's not about parents who drink during pregnancy, or council house dweller- it can happen to anyone as they cross the road, or catch an illness. It's random.
I had no reason to suspect I would need benefits. This past year on CA is the first I have not been in education or work in my life. often in diffiuclt jobs, such as the charity sector, so I have certainly worked for my supper.
Yet here I am, reliant on the state in most part, simply because autism happened. Nobody knows why, but therewas no reason to suspect it would hit us, especially twice over.
Dh also worked hard, had two jobs for several years, but lost one a few months back: the fact that his current job is part time and self emloyed would lead to some on here removing his TC's, but it seems to me those many years of hard effort are now repaying themselves in our lack of total reliance on the state, a hige bonus both for us and the country (we still pay NI). At teh same time our landlords (they inherited this house, ahrdly well off) are protected as we need not claim HB so arestill withion contract and stillpaying our rent.
If peoplethink they p[refer Tory policies then fine, vote that way.. Bt people who sneer at others for voting how they wish
I recognise the tax rate will need to rise to pay debt, but I am actually OK with that. I fully intend if at all possible (I am reliant of the existence of SN childcare) to return to work in a year, DH si retraining in a well aid field, I suspect at some point we will be on HR Tax and that's OK.
As for my boys- well 2 seems ASD free and one will always need some support but may be able to combine with work. Iw ould rather they paid higher taxes and thereore ahd the freedom to choose how much of a carer role they took on. It's insurance, after all: higher taxes mean we get choices when things aren't equal. At some stage, as we age, things will be not equal for alomost all of us, and unless we are the Beckhams we're likely to rely on the state, ensuring it's there for us when we fall is good sense.
In the last year, and especially the last fewmonths, I have learned a lot about human nature and it's odd. people vote and exist to protect their self interest- never thinking that things will change, they will age, their industry may collpase, their artners become infirm. I find that odd.
I really hope that when I am earning again I will be able to remember that others will be where we were, and not complain about pounds needed to ensure their safety.
If people think they prefer Tory policies then fine, vote that way.. uBt people who sneer at others for voting how they wish or imply that voters who disagree are lacking in thought are offensive, just because we do not think the same does not eman my views are less than yours, just different.
I do not vote labour, BTW; I am a memeber of the Greens atm, though that will be reviewed as ever.
When you vote, vote with awareness: that voting leftie means you will pay mroe taxes andprobably get more staste intervention, that voring Conservative means you may well spend you retirement begging for respite care and wondering wen yo will get NHS help. All parties and philosophies have a 'price', we shouldn't delude ourselves in that, but some IMVHO are mosre socially acceptable and responsible than others.