To work or not to work: That is my question!

LisaW123

poet123 wrote: »

We are fortunate to be in a good financial position, and have never (as a whole family) claimed any benefit other than CHB, but I must say I find your vehemence quite a selfish mindset.

No one knows what is around the corner, there are posters on here who have been widowed suddenly and their plans for self sufficiency stop there, accidents can happen, tragedies. No one is immune, and as for begrudging the elderly care, words fail me. Not everyone has a supportive family unfortunately, not everyone has a family when they reach their latter years. My 87 year old neighbour lost her husband of 63 years last week, she has also buried two sons and three sisters, she is now alone. What should she do if she needs care? Having worked all her life is she not deserving of care? I certainly think so.

Benefits are abused, but we also need to remember that they are also safety net for all, and none of us know when our circumstances could change and we may be in need of them through no fault of our own. A little empathy and compassion never go amiss.

I agree people should as far as possible be self sufficient, only have children they can support, and generally try to reduce or eliminate the burden they are on society. Unfortunately for many that doesn't pan out, and it is not always due to them being !!!!less.

I must confess my post was meant to be provocative. I do appreciate that there are people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in dire straits. Of course they should be supported.

What does annoy me is a lot of bleeding hearts on this site, looking to maximise profit from the benefit system. I can't believe the situation is so lax that discussions can take place regarding whether people would be better off giving up work and claiming benefits. The benefits system is supposed to be a safety net, not a lifestyle choice.

I also do not begrudge care for the elderly. Again, however, there are frequently posts on this site from people looking for ways to avoid selling their parents home to avoid care fees. I took over a year's unpaid leave to help my Mother look after my Gran, and spent a great many nights over that year and a half away from my own home and husband. Before anyone says we were doing it to get hold of her house, she didn't own her house and she also qualified for NHS continuing care - meaning she could have gone into a nursing home with no cost to her or the rest of the family. We wouldn't have dreamed of dumping her. Dumping their elders isn't a problem to many people, however. The range of excuses they have for this is often ingenious but in the end it comes down to the fact looking after elderly, sick people involves sacrifice and effort and it is too easy to say it is someone else's responsibility.

Pennywise2012

Face1992 wrote: »

That last bit is a bit like saying the burglar only went in and stole the telly because the owner didn't have a security grille over the front door. Erm, no, the burglar is the one at fault for taking something he shouldn't be getting.

I was referring to people who are entitled to benefits under the current system, not benefit fraudsters.

If people object to others claiming what they are allowed to claim, they should be trying to change the system, not having a pop at the ones claiming it.

Benefit fraudsters (and burglars!) are just scum, though.

colleensims

Murphy_Gooner wrote: »

It offends you? offends you that a parent shouldn't have the right too stay at home and look after their own young children? But no too make you happy you would rather her and husband be at work full time and the rest, not be their for the kids and their kids not see their parents while the parents struggle too put food and clothes on the table and frankly down to the fact we live in a place where is everything is overpriced.

So what i want too know is are you happy enough to take things like health care, state pension, bus pass, winter fuel allowance etc which i may add is paid for by the taxpayer while slating OP for having children she is struggling too provide for? The same children who will be the taxpayers who pay for your needs etc when you get older.
Unless of course your going to provide everything from pension to any potential operations or health care you or someone very close too you may need one day?

Maybe that's what we should do seeing how we seem too live in a selfish world. Maybe people should have too provide everything for themselves like nhs prescriptions which you get cheaper then what they would cost if private.

It doesnt offend me if a parent wishes to stay at home and look after their children, no it really doesnt- if its at their own expense.
It does offend me when they are lazying around at home- as paid for by the workers. Its not the taxpayers fault that the person decides to have children they cant afford.

'As much as I understand the point you are trying to make here, I think you should apologise for your earlier remark.

Saying that I shouldn't have children was unnecessary and not a justifiable point, it also has nothing to do with my situation or the original question I raised about Tax Credits

Sorry you feel that way All I meant was that I dont believe people should have children and expect everyone else to pay for them.

princessdon

I must admit it is always hard to be impartial when people ask for extra benefits to have "family time" when you work hard to have what is left after Tax and NI and they have 3 x the family time you have.

I agree in principle - why do people have children then expect the tax payers to pay (note expect, that isn't the same as those that find themselves redundant, hours cut, facing hardships they didn't factor when they had them).

Then they say - I pay my taxes - (not neccy the OP here) but they seem to think the £100 tax they pay and the £500 they receive seem to balance out (as I said OP not saying that is you). But when you see a family where they work say 30 hrs a week between them then say - I pay my taxes, I do wonder what planet they live on, almost like Tax Credits are not benefits or something