The recession, benefits, the safety net, and the learning curve

lostinrates wrote: »

I would tentatively argue that the country (resouces, space) is slightly different than the economy.

But you cant have resources and space without the economy. Thats what pays for it.

lostinrates wrote: »

Well, if we all dropped dead tomorrow, the country would still be here.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

"HOME"...the one thing in life I can totally rely on and that I would need the emotional security of more than ever should I ever get thrown onto benefits against my will.

I think probably, in a roundabout way, dopester is saying that that having a home to call your own when thrown onto benefits.. is something of a luxury the vast majority don't have. Especially the younger generation who have taken longer and longer to get themselves even a foothold on a home of their own. 34 years old is the average age of the FTB nowadays I think ?

I think it's about having security of tenure rather than anything else. Max having a secure paid off home will be seen by some as being very lucky indeed. And before anyone says anything else.. the same can be said for those currently living in secure council housing with low rents and a lifetime's tenure. Again, looked upon in envy by those struggling to pay half their wages on rent or afraid to tell their landlords they've lost their job in case they are kicked out for being on benefits.

Being thrown onto benefits 'against your will' is potentially catastrophic for those privately renting or with a large mortgage still to pay off. Most have nowhere to go and will struggle not only adjusting to living on benefits.. but finding a decent roof to put over their heads too. Max won't have to worry about at least one of those. Neither will the man who loses his job but has been living in council accomodation for 15 years.

They're both regarded as 'lucky'.. not ill done by. I personally don't think Max would do himself any great favours selling. But I can see why a lot of those losing their jobs right now wouldn't have much sympathy regarding him owning his own home outright. yet having trouble getting by on basic benefits. There are inevitable cries of 'he should sell it' simply because it's 'worth' something. Others of course, starting out life on benefits..as mentioned before, if they'd chosen to save cash in the bank instead, perhaps a deposit towards that longed for home... would be totally stuffed. No secure home AND no benefits until they've raided their savings down to the last few grand.

This is no disrespect whatsoever to Max.. just can see the other side of the coin and why some would perhaps consider him luckier than others with his current ( and hopefully temporary ) situation.

As for single parents getting by better on benefits than Max.. was ever thus. During the Thatcher years single mum's were the scapegoats of society. I daresay, again, they will be blamed once again for all society's ills. Benefit scroungers if they stay at home to look after their kids, neglectful 'why have kids if you can't look after them' mothers if they go out to work. In any case, childcare is so extortinate nowadays.. many have little choice BUT to stay at home.

Ok waffled on.. this thread is very interesting.

lostinrates wrote: »

I really hate that one. By no one I presume it means people. Some other living things can hear.

But, just for you, if all but ten of us dropped dead tomorrow*, the country would still be here.....and resources and land would be very, very cheap.

* I am not predicted all but ten of us will drop dead tomorrow. I am not predicting any mass death tomorrow, or on any date in June 2009.

I think the price gets decided by the individual with the biggest gun (male answer).

lynzpower wrote: »

I absolutely refute that if you happen to have watched any property !!!!!! - that you are some way responsible for the bubble thats created.

That is ABSOLUTE claptrap- I, and so many other posters on here, watch those problems to ironically cackle at the drivel spouted, to chuck socks at the telly and to have a health dose of schedunfraude when alas some poor "developer" thought her could turn a garage in Croydon into a one bed superpad and wants 400+ plus for it.
Dopester, you honestly cant tell me you have NEVER watched one of these :rotfl:

Good post.

Ok for that point, I took it forgranted to read... "watched and believed, and eager to take the same path to riches."

Of course Lynz, they are fine to watch for the reasons you have given, and from that perspective.