Changes To Benefits System: Work And Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith To Announce Big Overhaul

30/7/2010 5:39 AM BST

Welfare

There are 2 types of social welfare state: One makes a minimum wage compatible with the basic needs of a family and has generous labour law to protect employees in case of redundancy. The employer contributes largely to that. Another type is the one which relies on state benefits to help the labour force in case of redundancy and hardship. Mr Smith did not choose any of these. So what he is proposing is unprecedented breakdown of the social security which has been providing to our vulnerable and socially excluded people the most basic living standards. We live in a society with low crime rate and social peace because of this, now demonised, social security system. Yes, the tax payer money buys social peace for all. The same tax payer money pays for war in Afghanistan. Benefits money buys food, cloths, services etc which ultimately generated business and jobs on production factories. Also makes more jobs opportunities available for those fit and skilled.

Some people complain about large families in Britain receiving benefits. Those children will pay for your retirement. Without children and fresh labour force who is going to pay contributions to help to pay your pension when you are 65 ? I really would not mind to have some of my paid taxes being directed towards raising those poor children.

The first thing to do in order to move people back to work is to create jobs. Second thing, a decent minimum wage so a family can pay their rent, buy enough food etc.

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Moving Forward

More than 24 million people today are better aware of our chaotic financial system. It is time for you to learn how the system works. Predictable is the outcome, isn't it ? Mais de 24 milhões de pessoas hoje têm consciência do nosso sistema financeiro caótico. O atual modelo de capitalismo é asfixiante, autodestrutivo e principalmente injusto. O sistema só se mantém vivo enquanto houver recursos naturais do planeta para consumir até a exaustão. O documentário expõe com muita clareza o que nos aguarda.

The context of this social unrest in London

Decades of individualism, competition and state-encouraged selfishness – combined with a systematic crushing of unions and the ever-increasing criminalisation of dissent – have made Britain one of the most unequal countries in the developed world. Since the Tories came to power just over a year ago, we witnessed multiple student protests, occupations of many universities, several strikes, a half-a-million-strong trade union march and now unrest on the streets of the capital. Each of these events was sparked by a different cause, yet all take place against a backdrop of brutal cuts and enforced austerity measures. Tottenham has the fourth highest level of child poverty in London and an unemployment rate of 8.8%, double the national average, with one vacancy for every 54 seeking work in the borough. Finally, police are not omnipotent. This situation has underlined very clearly that law and order is generally maintained by consent, not coercion.

Surgeons Warn That Delays In Treatment For Strokes Is Risking Patients Lives

22/7/2010 12:3 PM BST It is so obvious that a proactive approach is the most effective way to reduce deaths from strokes and heart attacks. However, it seems that the NHS management prefer expensive and many times too late remedies. The management alone cannot be blamed. A large number of GP's in this country are plain useless. Even when they do not have a clue what's going on, they do not refer you to someone who can investigate and possibly save your life. There is something very wrong with all this. I try to avoid analogies but even in Brazil, a large country with 200 million people, the public health service seems perform better than here. They invest in preventive measures and regular checkups. I have no illusions that this CONDEM government will change anything for better. One of these days when I go to my surgery to see a Doctor, I will be seen by a volunteer instead...That's what I call a bigger society!

A Glance From Outside

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