Learn to control money but do not allow it to control you

MrsMoo2U

claudiac wrote: »

Trust me to open my mouth and talk rubbish! Didn't even know about it until FW mentioned it tonight, so had no idea it had already been passed by MP's. Probably best if I just shut up.

Not stupid at all. Exactly the right starting point, it is just that in this case it has moved across to the Lords now. It might still be worth lobbying MPs because they should know how people feel.

Firewalker wrote: »

Nope, on this you are wrong. The best thing is to do something - to be with the Lords this should have passed through Parliament in early Summer (guessing but will check). If I am right this is classic under-play technique.

FW

There has been a lot of things in the press over the last couple of years with regards to people receiving benefits when not entitled (ie not sick enough yada yada.) One that sticks in mind is a whole raft of stories about people claiming sickness for depression costing X amount. What the reports didn't show was that this particular group of people were 9th out of top ten groups of claimants! I wrote to the BBC to complain about being a vehicle for spin doctoring and lazy journalism. Didn't get an answer. This has all been building up to get the bill through as far as I am concerned. Gets people on side with the blame culture, people aren't really sick belief so no opposition to the bill.

Lara44 wrote: »

It's terrible, isn't it... Writing letters and sending them before the bill has even passed is the kind of big-headed complacency guaranteed to annoy the Lords. However, the government's 'listening exercise' made sure that this bill passed and there are lots of controversial things in it. Check out 38 Degrees.

I attended a conference where the founder of 38 degrees, David Babbs spoke about how to mobilise people in campaigns. I opted to work in his group for the group discussions and he had lots of excellent ideas.

Firewalker

MrsMoo, do you know how to work 38 degrees then? If yes ca n we do something (or has it be started already)?

And I agree that there was a gradual escalation playing to the less reflective amongst us. Started with single mothers, went throught people from overseas, older people, sick people and now...

What has been troubling me is that many have come to believe that we/society should withdraw support. Which of course, takes us back pre-welfare state and there will be a veyr costly 'trauma of adjustment'.

Firewalker

Want_to_be_free

Hi Firewalker & MrsMoo2U

Can you please tell me where can I find out about 38 degrees related information . I assume, it is about doing something with the power of organised crowd but it is my assumption and would like learn about it. Thank you.

Firewalker

WTBF, try this

http://38degrees.org.uk/

FW

MrsMoo2U

FW. The conference that I went to was all about e democracy and how to get information out via social networking etc. 38 degrees website is something that might be useful. I will have a good look at the website when I have chance (writing a paper for work at the mo that is taking all of my brainpower). In the meantime it is worth having a look around the website and seeing what you think.

Firewalker

I know it, in fact I have been invited several times to join intiatives on there. MrF knows how to start compains - we need to talk about the content though (here comes the seminar experience).

Please do go on with your paper - focus is essential - and will discuss further when you have some RAM left/re-gained.

Firewalker

gilligansyle

Can I get on my soapbox?

Please, please!

We are going back to the days pre welfare state. Yes there are those who are claiming money to which they aren't entitled, but there are many who don't claim what they should and many more who are made to jump through so many hoops that they give up.

Firewalker

Gilli, do; please. My question would be: when do they plan to open the Workhouses again?

FW

Triciaxx

Firewalker wrote: »

Gilli, do; please. My question would be: when do they plan to open the Workhouses again?

FW

Well, they won't have to build new ones - they can recycle all the hospitals they will close.

Firewalker

Today was my day for doing things that I have postponed for far too long (although some came about only couple of days ago, I know I would have procrastinated to eternity). At least I did sleep last night: not too long and one of my magic anti allergy pills was involved but still much better than the night before; or the one before that. So:

· I wrote a fundamentally very unpleasant e-mail to a project partner that was not unpleasant at all on the surface; hey-ho I am becoming a bit more refined.
· I wrote a very direct e-mail to one of my collaborators and co-authors; this one was not unpleasant just very direct and to the point; well, somethings don't change.
· I wrote a terribly nice and informed e-mail to a potential collaborator which was long overdue (he did make the first step and I had to respond; I wanted to but all this travel and tiredness);
· Some other e-mails were sent as well.

On top of this I have a detailed plan for revising the paper. The only issue is whether I will make the deadline and it is the end of the month (I have people coming to work on other things next week). If I don’t I’ll still re-submit (this is a very top journal we are talking about; I had three reviews two pages each which is a compliment in its own right so worth fighting for). I would have also learned something: look after the things in the 20% first (remember Pareto’s law: 80% of impact is achieved by 20% of effort). These are the ones that are important!

How do people make Victoria sponge? I had another go today and although it was tasty (would be surprising if it is not given that it consists of butter, sugar, eggs and flour) it looked more like scrambled eggs than like a formed cake. It was eaten, all of it but I wish I get it right once.

The chicken and potatoes, on the hand, was delicious. Found the recipe in a ‘one pot’ meals book. Trick is to marinade the chicken legs in lemon juice and zest, and to place it over the potatoes so that the juices run over it. Mmmmm ...

How shall I rest now? Movie, may be?

Firewalker