[jambutty]

Originally Posted by blazey

No idea of the real world? I am at university even though I studied at subject at college which said I'd be a criminal, pregnant and on the dole by 20. I have had to cope with the stereotypes of being from a single parent family and I know EXACTLY what its like to have to struggle for money, so dont get all high and mighty with me about your bloody pension

All I'm saying is that its bad to promote benefits as being an easier option when they aren't at all. One lad showed me up infront of my entire class at college by saying 'you should make your mum get a job.' just because I had it a bit easier by getting £30 a week EMA which went on travel and supplies, whilst he drove around in his brand new car paid for by daddy and complained non-stop, all because people like you say its easier to be on benefits. Well it isn't easier, it's a load of crap. What would you know about being a single mother in todays society living off benefits? Because I'm pretty damn sure I know a lot more than you about what its like today.

Then at uni I have to cope with snobs, one of which being my own friend who thought it odd that I didnt assume she had an ensuite bathroom at home. There IS pride of being able to fund things for yourself even if it is less than benefits. If you think otherwise then its the older generation that are letting society down, not the youth who are being taught no better.

Like many people you assume that you know it all. Well let me put you straight on a few points.

I grew up as a child of a single parent family in the days when there was no social security only National Assistance, which was a pittance. I spent time living in a workhouse because we had nowhere to go.

When we eventually managed to get a home of our own my mother was obliged to take in lodgers to pay the rent. She was unable to work because of ill health gained, if that is the right word, by the ravages of WWII.

I left school at 15 to work down the pit as, for want of a better description, a pseudo pit pony. For my efforts my wage of £3 –1 –3d went towards the family budget. I got 5 shillings as my pocket money but I was allowed to keep my overtime earnings. And overtime I did. Up to 20 hours a week in a hell hole shovelling coal dust away from a conveyor so that it wouldn’t clog up the works. And that was after six hours of pushing a tub of coal weighing several hundredweight from the coal face to the ‘chain’ some 200 yards away.

I volunteered to join the Royal Navy at the age of 16 years and 10 months and served until my 30th birthday. It was my good fortune that I was not involved in a major conflict but nonetheless we still lost three good guys in Cyprus when the EOKA terrorists were trying to get rid of the British.

I have done my bit for my country. What have you done except take, take, take?

In later life I spent some 15 years as a single parent and also holding down a full time job for most of the time. So I know all about the trials and tribulations that life can chuck at someone.

I know everything about being a single father and in those days the benefits were nowhere near as generous as they are today. So I have every right to get all high and mighty. Certainly more right than you do.

So before you shoot your mouth off try to remember you are not the only person on this planet.

However I never stated that it is easier on benefits. But hey! Why let the truth get in the way of your tirade. I stated, “So don’t blame the worker for not wanting to work when more can be had on state benefits.”

The jobless didn’t lay down the benefit rules. You can hardly blame them for using the rules if they allow the work shy to prosper.

The older generation laid down the foundations that have been abused by greedy employers in their quest for more and more profits.

So you think that there is pride in being able to fund things yourself do you? Let me see – pride – arrogance, conceit, smugness, superiority, self-importance. That says it all for me.

Pride comes before the fall.

The greater majority of the older generation worked hard so that you and your generation can live as you do.

Notice - not a single swear word anywhere.