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Let's help Duncan Smith - how would YOU improve the benefits system?

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Comments

  • Pete111
    Pete111 Posts: 5,333 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    treliac wrote: »
    Don't get uptight Bl - most people just ignore it!

    +1

    Liz Estelle is of the persuasion that each and every problem within the country can be traced back to those who have dared to be of above average intelligence or ambition and who over time have the utter temerity to provide for their own rather than sponge off the state.
    Go round the green binbags. Turn right at the mouldy George Elliot, forward, forward, and turn left....at the dead badger
  • bendix
    bendix Posts: 5,499 Forumite
    carolt wrote: »
    Interesting idea but I foresee a storm of protest from the overweight.

    Who cares? Fat people are funny and their ideas aren't taken so seriously as the slim.

    Besides, I would also propose limiting people's voting rights to weight too. For every stone you are over your optimum weight, the value of your vote is reduced 25% accordingly. So their protests would be irrelevant. You know it makes sense.
  • Malcolm.
    Malcolm. Posts: 1,079 Forumite
    bendix wrote: »
    Who cares? Fat people are funny and their ideas aren't taken so seriously as the slim.

    Besides, I would also propose limiting people's voting rights to weight too. For every stone you are over your optimum weight, the value of your vote is reduced 25% accordingly. So their protests would be irrelevant. You know it makes sense.

    I think there's a few rugby players who'd strongly protest otherwise.
    Muscle weighs more than fat.
  • bendix
    bendix Posts: 5,499 Forumite
    marklv wrote: »
    Cretin. Is this what you call a sensible contribution?

    Bit touchy aren't we?

    You're not carrying a bit of timber around the midriff are you? Be careful, that woolen cardigan and slacks public sector uniform you wear to work might need to be loosened.
  • bendix
    bendix Posts: 5,499 Forumite
    Malcolm. wrote: »
    I think there's a few rugby players who'd strongly protest otherwise.
    Muscle weighs more than fat.

    Good point.

    In that case, we bring in another filter so it's not based on weight alone. The same weight restriction applies, but they can regain voting rights and benefit rights by being able to run.

    If they can run a mile, 25% voting rights restored . . two miles, 50%. Etc etc.

    There . . . I've got all the answers.
  • Pete111
    Pete111 Posts: 5,333 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    bendix wrote: »
    Good point.

    In that case, we bring in another filter so it's not based on weight alone. The same weight restriction applies, but they can regain voting rights and benefit rights by being able to run.

    If they can run a mile, 25% voting rights restored . . two miles, 50%. Etc etc.

    There . . . I've got all the answers.

    Makes sense. If you can run a marathon do you get...


    ....does maths....


    ...does maths again....


    ..6.5 votes?
    Go round the green binbags. Turn right at the mouldy George Elliot, forward, forward, and turn left....at the dead badger
  • bendix
    bendix Posts: 5,499 Forumite
    it is. basically, if you genuinely cannot work for medical reasons, you are helped, otherwise get off you fat lazy backside and get a job.

    if there are no jobs and the country is at 100% employment (yeah right), then perhaps some kind of workfare, where they are thrown a bit of cash in return for some manual labour so they can eat. they don't have to do this, and can choose to starve if they want.



    Gets my vote. It's hard to argue against logic like this.

    I've NEVER understood why those on benefits aren't obliged to do some kind of socially useful work in return for the benefit. The advantages are so obvious as to be irrefutable.
  • bendix
    bendix Posts: 5,499 Forumite
    Pete111 wrote: »
    Makes sense. If you can run a marathon do you get...


    ....does maths....


    ...does maths again....


    ..6.5 votes?

    Pete, you're just not thinking this through are you?

    NO NO NO NO NO.

    Fatness is the key criterian. A skinny !!!!!! who runs the marathon just gets one vote. You only lose your voting and benefit rights if you're a lardarse, although you can get them back if you can run (so long as there is no incentive for the run, like chasing an icecream van).

    And you can only ever have one vote.

    Your proposal is just ridiculous. Stop messing about.
  • Malcolm.
    Malcolm. Posts: 1,079 Forumite
    bendix wrote: »
    Good point.

    In that case, we bring in another filter so it's not based on weight alone. The same weight restriction applies, but they can regain voting rights and benefit rights by being able to run.

    If they can run a mile, 25% voting rights restored . . two miles, 50%. Etc etc.

    There . . . I've got all the answers.

    Is it better to be bulimic than overweight then? ;)

    I know your comments are surreal, however I think overweight people receive enough stigma, and it's best not to tease them any more.

    My BMI is 24 btw. :)
  • chucky
    chucky Posts: 15,170 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    bendix wrote: »
    The same weight restriction applies, but they can regain voting rights and benefit rights by being able to run.

    If they can run a mile, 25% voting rights restored . . two miles, 50%. Etc etc.

    There . . . I've got all the answers.
    that's not really fair though and discriminates against women...

    it's common knoweldge that women with a lot upfront <i'm being polite here> find it very painful to run.

    would you suggest supplying these women with good sports support bras as part of their benefits package?
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