There is no such thing as society

[scaredoflove]

I keep seeing this bandied about as a quote from Thatcher - I would like to point out that she actually said:-

"I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it's the government's job to cope with it. 'I have a problem, I'll get a grant.' 'I'm homeless, the government must house me.' They're casting their problem on society. And, you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation."

Bit different to the way it's being quoted on here! I think she had a point

Well, by the same logic there is no such thing as nations, money, government or companies. Abstractions can be useful.

Society is a way of looking after your neighbour.

Children have entitlements without obligations.

I think most people already know the context of that quote (I did)

I still think it's bullshit. Some people can't meet obligations first - what about sick/disabled people, what about carers? What about women who have to escape domestic violence? They need to be rehoused - yes by the state - because how are they suddenly going to be able to do it all by themselves?

To people like Thatcher these people don't exist - they are simply ignored - not seen, and I'm afraid I think she was a total $%%£@$^^&&* and I have no respect for her at all. I despise her for her attitude and all those who seek to replicate her ideals.

gah

I do however, respect that you have a differing perspective, OP.

So what she actually said was "And, you know, there is no such thing as society" and "people must look to themselves first"

how horrid.

I thought that Britain was built on people that took pride in looking out for themselves & reluctant to ask for help? Look at all the benefits that go unclaimed every year because people (often pensioners) have too much pride to go cap in hand. Yes, shit happens... and there are people like battered women or people with disabilities who need urgent assistance and they deserve our help. Yes, those benefits that aren't claimed should be claimed if people are in hardship.

But when the pendulum swings too far the other way and we expect that no matter how irresponsible we are - quitting jobs, having too many children, dropping out of colleg - there will always be someone standing by with a cheque book... then we're not living in reality.

You know, I think there might be a Third Way....