MSE News: 'I'm on benefits but I'm no scrounger'

Conan_the_librarian

Mupette wrote: »

rather than look at others to attack because of your lack of money, how about getting your 2 kids getting part time work.
my son is at college too, yet he managed to get a part time job to work around college, both yours could get work and pay rent/housekeeping to you.

I think you missed the point he was trying to make.

meher

thedrsmisses wrote: »

He hasn't disappeared, you might be surprised to know that we actually spend time with our kids rather then sit on the internet all day answering questions he has already answered, you will find it on page 19 feel free to read his response

Leaving all the inanities aside, just highlightin the part for what it's worth, if it is ok to point out that this person hasn't made an ordinary post on the forum. He asserted thaqt he speaks for folks like him, on a representative level and in a journalistic capacity. There's a presumption that it is up for debate.

He then invited himself to answer a couple of questions. So it is only fair and to be expcted that people would have questions for what seems unpersuasive or specious as far as they are concerned. It is a little naive to underestimate people's knowledge on benefits, rights and entitlements and assume everyone takes what is said in it's face value; people like to know where their tax is allocated and if they believe the tax isn't doing a grand job as they were told, then it is only natural to ask the person who has posturised himself as an authority to it. Sometimes clarifications help in recognising if anything has been overlooked.

Flyboy152

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

You changed it to THEIR as a correction. :cool:

Err....no I didn't. :huh:

scootw1

thedrsmisses wrote: »

He hasn't disappeared, you might be surprised to know that we actually spend time with our kids rather then sit on the internet all day answering questions he has already answered, you will find it on page 19 feel free to read his response

I can see nowhere on page 19 where Ross has said how much he ACTUALLY gets in benefits. He seems very reluctant to tell us that. All I, and a couple of others, are asking is what is the actual amount he gets including housing benefit, council tax etc which I think we are entitled to know as taxpayers. If he wants to write an article about benefits and the stigmas attached to them then at least give us all the facts not the ones he feels are necessary.

scootw1

rellarips wrote: »

It's your choice. But not paying attention to what is going on in the world around you puts you at a distinct disadvantage and open to manipulation through extorting your ignorance. I applaud that you are one of the many who earn your money, which is the way it should work, but I ask you to consider those who are unable to earn their money in the current economy; people who like yourself, have worked hard and made their own way until disaster stuck and the recession produced job cuts and placed those who were already disadvantaged amongst the workforce in an even more difficult situation for job seeking. As many before myself in this thread have pointed out, these people have worked and earned their way and paid into a scheme which is designed to help them in times of crisis. The point of the article was, I believe, to highlight the fact that the system isn't working; it's open to abuse by some and is not helping others who should be receiving the help they deserve right now. Imagine if that were you[; it could be you next week as none of us know our futures. There are people out there who are simply trying to highlight the flaws of the system and improve them, to help the rest of us. Meeting that help with aggression is counter-productive. Perhaps you are a strong ally to the actions of governments?

I would urge you to use your anger to a more productive outcome than attacking those who only wish to highlight the flaws of an abused and inefficient system. Becoming offensive and defensive doesn't help.

I do not consider that I was offensive or defensive, merely asking a question. And I do pay attention to what is going on around me, who wouldn't? (oh, you, obviously). An d I never said he wasn't entitled to the money having worked only that I don't think he is telling us all the facts.

goodcommonsense

scootw1 wrote: »

I can see nowhere on page 19 where Ross has said how much he ACTUALLY gets in benefits. He seems very reluctant to tell us that. All I, and a couple of others, are asking is what is the actual amount he gets including housing benefit, council tax etc which I think we are entitled to know as taxpayers. If he wants to write an article about benefits and the stigmas attached to them then at least give us all the facts not the ones he feels are necessary.

This is a very good point. After all, I could claim that I receive £60,000 in benefits, and without figures to back it up it would seem as likely as what Ross says.

Edinburghlass_2

MSE_Martin wrote: »

I must say Im a little surpised some of the comments above. The whole point of Ross's article (as it clearly states - it is his article not ours - this is a guest comment) is to give a voice to someone who you wouldn't normally hear from.

It isn't about the pounds and the pence its about the attitude and prejudice he has felt about claiming benefit. As for checking through his benefits - this isnt about auditing the man's life - its about a platform to give him his say, in his words, with his view - talking about what it feels like.

We have tried to minimise any editorial influence (the same courtesy we give to other guest contributers including the Prime Minister, or Ed Balls, Ray Boulger) and let him have his say.

He had bravely stuck his head above the parapet - he is a real person - please remember that when you comment.

meher wrote: »

Leaving all the inanities aside, just highlightin the part for what it's worth, if it is ok to point out that this person hasn't made an ordinary post on the forum. He asserted thaqt he speaks for folks like him, on a representative level and in a journalistic capacity. There's a presumption that it is up for debate.

He then invited himself to answer a couple of questions. So it is only fair and to be expcted that people would have questions for what seems unpersuasive or specious as far as they are concerned. It is a little naive to underestimate people's knowledge on benefits, rights and entitlements and assume everyone takes what is said in it's face value; people like to know where their tax is allocated and if they believe the tax isn't doing a grand job as they were told, then it is only natural to ask the person who has posturised himself as an authority to it. Sometimes clarifications help in recognising if anything has been overlooked.

Just in case you missed Martin's post early on in the thread as you seem to think you have a right to answers

goodcommonsense

Edinburghlass wrote: »

Just in case you missed Martin's post early on in the thread as you seem to think you have a right to answers

But surely journalists should check their facts when publishing something? Or if they are not relevant, why mention them in the first place?

Millionaire

So does the £11,000 include Housing Benefit and Council Tax or not?

krisskross

Millionaire wrote: »

So does the £11,000 include Housing Benefit and Council Tax or not?

I assume by the silence that the answer is no. This could add minimally £6000 a year to the £11K+ and would therefore give an income equivalent to a £24K per annum wage.

Families with just £2K a year more and 1 child are losing child tax credits I believe.