I think that
we just have to accept that there is a group of people out there who just aren't competent at life. They are probably better off unemployed than in the workplace fucking it up for everyone else.
Historically, there have always been a large number of unemployed people, and they have always had to be fed and clothed by someone.
( Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sun 30 May 2010, 12:15, 1 reply)

I imagine that you don't get quite so many
of those in the 3rd world or in this country 100 years ago. The fact that we're not letting them starve to death is a good thing and represents progress, but the majority of those people have the ability to work and would if they had more pressure put on them.

The sad fact seems to be that life is only really hard for those people on benefits who really want a job and don't have the attributes to fiddle the system (if they don't have young kids, have savings or even a mortgage, god forbid!) and those who have to live on carers allowances.

Its obviously not hard enough for the feckless to bother as you have getting on for 3 or 4 generations who've never worked in some parts. If they can afford the trappings of modern life (designer clothes, satellite TV, mobiles, PCs) and have enough money left over for booze and fags without working then something has gone wrong. Its not fair to everyone else who has to work hard and in many cases have to make big sacrifices to buy what they want.
(The man with the flan swashed his buckle on, Mon 31 May 2010, 15:22, closed)