Does anyone else ever wonder why they bother going to work?

Question

When they read things like this:

http://www.derbygripe.co.uk/scrounge.htm

Families living on the equivalent of £33,000 benefits a year (gives a breakdown of how it all adds up)??

We live on about £17,000 a year and we WORK for that, also pay a mortgage, full council tax etc. No wonder we are permanently broke and holidays, expensive gadgets and luxuries are just not possible. Makes you wonder why we bother, eh?

Answer 1

You've got to be careful about going by averages. I mean the average income of you and Bill Gates is probably in excess of £3,000,000,000 a year! Averages can easily be biased to make a figure look bigger or smaller depending on what data has been used to make the calculation. In point of fact the median income of "hard working families" in the UK, a better measure of income in the population, is more like £18,000 p.a., I seem to remember. So you've got plenty of company you see.

So much money has been poured down the plughole by New Labour there's not much left to help people struggling in your position. Consider the wars raging in Afghanistan and Iraq (no end in sight), the NHS on line computer system (never worked properly) or the forthcoming identity card system (last thought to cost in the region of £18,000,000,000 to implement) and so on... and so on.

Have you investigated Gordon Brown's arcane system of "Tax Credits"? From what you say I reckon you could claim back a few thousand pounds a year from Customs and Excise?

I do know what you mean though. A situation such as the one you describe feels like being stuck in quicksand: the more you struggle and exert yourself the quicker you seem to sink. But do you honestly believe that your financial situation would improve under a Conservative government?

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for that kiddo.

Answer 2

I don't wonder. I know why. To pay the bills and my pension contributions, like everyone else.

I'm also aware that people on State benefits - including one or two family members, which is why I'm aware - don't have an easy time at all, and are done a great disservice both by shameful criminals who defraud the system, and by the media who so often make credulous people think that these criminals are anything like the majority of benefit claimants.

I firmly believe that where people are capable of work, Government should not pay them long term benefits, but should find them a job.  If necessary creating jobs - too much of Britain is filthy and vandalised, and this would be one way to do something about it.  Two birds with one stone.  And that those with a genuine reason to receive State support, whether through age or infirmity, should be much more generously and realistically supported.

PS -MyGrain, this is illegal, and you need to talk to a union such as Unison about joining and taking legal action on this.  These foul exploiters need to be put in front of a court.  Pity is, they will be fined - where the b******s responsible should go down for ten years.

Answer 3

Then don't go to work and see what happens.

Answer 4

we work ladymoonlight, me and my husband,  you and your husband because we have self respect. we might not be well off. we might not live in a posh area but we are earning our living. i could never be a scrounging git like that one. wheres the point in life if you end up like that riff raff.

you're doing fine. you've got pride in  yourself  and in your family. that scumbag hasnt.

i have to admit though, that i'd like to deck the useless git and everyone like him

Answer 5

See the liberal dream of Socialism works great, huh?

Answer 6

t hat fat cow ought to go to work lazy fat cow her husband needs a ***/// vasectomy or castrated the benefits ought to be stopped toot sweet now don't give them any benefits lazy cu''' makes me boil im on the sick with cancer £80 a kin week no more coz i ain't lazy

Answer 7

I know what you mean, I would feel the same if I were on 17 K a year... but alas I'm not,no where close lol, maybe I should go on benefits - according to you I would be a lot better of.  Now where do I apply...

But these are extreme examples, and you made it out that they are the norm.

Answer 8

I'm seriously thinking of trying to get benefits instead of working 22/7 as a carer for £2-£2.50 per hour before deductions-yes I get 30% deductions aswell cos I'm counted as self-employed. It's barely worth my while any more when I see things like this and I want to work! I just feel like a complete mug in this country especially as they've just doubled our taxes on top of it.

Answer 9

PERSONAL PRIDE!

Answer 10

Hey, somebody has to pay the taxes for these people to get the assistance. lol

Answer 11

the middle class is the most unfortunate ones, they often pay a lot of straight-up taxes, work their butts off, and constantly budgeting, and those taxes go to the lower class people that decide to have a contest to see how many babies they get outta the mom, and the gov't ends up paying a lot of money raising those kids. it's an unfair world that we live in, but that's just how it is.

Answer 12

it does really, except i would be bored if i didnt work, this week i am working 6 days for nothing because i have my own shop, and my rent is due on the 1st, so i have to bank all i can to cover it, which means no money for me this week, never mind

Answer 13

This just proves there are people that should taken out back and shot.

Sorry about that, I forgot you guys are not allowed to own guns.

Answer 14

No...  when I get bombarded with bills, I only wonder why I don't just get a second job.

Answer 15

The system is corrupt.

Blame your friend Tony and his group of greedy b******s called 'Labour'.

Answer 16

Sometimes, it makes me sad. Other times, it makes me want to strive to do better so I can get a better paying job.

Answer 17

No matter what the others are doing or not doing I do what is good for me and mine, i work overseas and have done for the last 30 years so i am not concerned much about anything in  england.

Answer 18

living within ones income is usually a successful solution,