The economy

[Tim]

So for anyone who didn't understand the credit cruch, I think this is a good quick lesson

[P1nky]

Country is in a dire mess. I earn the same now (29) as i did at 21 and things cost about a third more

[y3ti]

Country is in a dire mess. I earn the same now (29) as i did at 21 and things cost about a third more

Not really P1nky, the country has been the same for many many more years than that, its the same old story. The rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer. Thats the way the world works everywhere. Its down to the Greed Factor.

[P1nky]

I'd not however say I am poor I'd say I'm average and those people are forgotten. Been through some incredibly tough times over the last few years, having to eat at my mums passing it off, as embarrased to admit i have no food in is just one example. Whereas friends who have never worked a day in their life go through it fine with plenty of food, heating on, house paid for and enough spare dough for a ten bud.

The average man is forgotten in the uk.

[Lee]

That's the benefits culture. Too many people think they deserve a living, instead of actually earning it.

[Tim]

Lets not believe everything the Tories and the newspapers keep telling us, yes there is a minority who decide to live the benefit lifestyle, let's remember that a lot of people in society are struggling and the states supposed 'austerity' is just a way to kick the poorest in society whilst they are down. The benefits bill for the unemployed is quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Also the banks who caused the global economic crisis were bailed out with our tax money, now whilst the average persons wage has not risen inline with inflation for the last 4-5 years, the executives of these banks have had wage rises of 34% over the same time period.

It's easy to blame the lazy when your daddy has paid for your private education then you have been given a job with one of daddy's friends in the city.

[P1nky]

A minority? come to gainsborough mate id say 75% of my age group dont work!

[Tim]

[P1nky]

Hardly a tory viewpoint

[Lee]

Does that include the people claiming sickness, child support, DLA etc? I was brought up on an estate, and it's a way of life. You don't get a job, you claim for as many benefits as possible, breed, teach your kids the same, continue the cycle.

[Tim]

What started the cycle? Up here it was closing the mines, steelworks, etc. created an area where everyone worked into an area where there were no jobs, families had to live on benefits and the cycle continued.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I am saying that we have been fed the 'the country is in a state because too many people claim benefits' when bigger problems are ignored because it helps the politicians or the politicians friends. Obviously don't want to clamp down too hard on tax dodging especially when David Cameron's dad was a big tax dodger.

There's also the question that if companies can get away with paying such small wages is it any wonder people don't want to work when they would actually be worse off by working?

If houses were allowed to be built, if most weren't bought by 'buy to let' investors would houses be cheaper? Meaning more people could afford a house rather than having to love off housing benefit from the government?

I'm not left wing and I don't believe in a socialist state but when the country suffers 'austerity' (yet the defexiet keeps rising' and inflation is rising a lot faster than my wage (and the average persons wage) yet the people who caused the crisis in the first place enjoy wage rises averaging 34% then questions should be asked.

[Tim]

Some figures UK welfare spending: how much does each benefit really cost? Visualised | News | theguardian.com

[Lee]

I have no idea how it started Tim but I do agree it's not the largest problem and I also agree with the points you made.

[Tim]

It's the Tory party manifesto, tax and blame the poor to give extra to the rich

[Aaron]

I agree with you both.

I've seen first hand the benefit culture, but in their defense work usually pays less then benefits do in many cases. Part time work etc or low paid work under the tax credit threshold. The idea of tax credits is mental. Wages should pay.

At same time though just because it's easier to bum about doesn't mean you should. I never wanted to be out of work and it's took me seven years of crap jobs and losing jobs to get the entry level job I wanted when I left college...late ...not brill but I earned it and proud.

Economy is dire and you yourself Tim know how knackered up north is at least for jobs but we scrape by and there are jobs it's just competitive as hell.

We are bombarded with people to blame why we are in the **** and yeah usually it's immigration or dole bums to blame as far as media is concerned.

What about student debt or tax evasion and false expenses and bank staff bonuses and god knows what else... Or when I get behind on my bills??

Gets you down as the **** never ends lol.