Off Topic Politics Thread
- Thread starter ChilcoSaint
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Trump's impeachment proceedings have started. According to neutral commentators, the evidence in this one is far more condemning than for the previous two Presidents. Nixon resigned before impeachment, but Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached. However, neither were removed from office by trial in the Senate. And this time could be no different as Leader of the Republican majority party in the Senate, Mitch McConnell looks as though he'll somehow fix it for Trump. In my opinion, justice will not be served. But we'll see.
Beddy, there are no government policies that actually set out to make people leave home and become homeless, but there are plenty of government policies that keep them there.
When I was 16 and back living with my parents, (having lived with my gran for protection for a number of years) the violence started up again. The fear of a beating was used to 'control' me mainly but it also intimidated and terrified my younger brothers. I stood up to my father after I took one beating to many. I remember crying and shaking from head to foot at the time in my bedroom and thinking I was going mad, and I just couldn't take it any more.
He came thundering up the stairs sometime later and started threatening me again and all I remember was standing up and telling him to stop it but he took another swing at me and I flattened him. Three or four punches and he went down but I didn't feel anything but sheer terror and I was concerned that he was ok. He spat at me and told me to get out and never to come back. So I did get out, and I never did go back.
That is how I became homeless, and that is how fast it can happen. It didn't even cross my mind that I didn't have anywhere else to live until I left. I was very fortunate because in those days you could get a job just by someone looking you in the eye and feeling they could trust you. I also knew people that knew what my home life was like so I slept on lots of sofas, a garden shed and a barn at a farm for 6 months.
For the most part it's very different today and people can easily get trapped in the homeless loop that there is no easy way out of. Society in general is also colder and if you happen to be an older person, it must be an absolute living hell being on the streets in a big city.
So Beddy, the answer is the government could cure homelessness in 3 months if they wanted to. They just don't care to.
Thanks for sharing that Kaito, very moving.
I echo what Chilco said ......very moving ,thank you for sharing .
I think Kaito's post highlights how close a lot of people come to being homeless. Never really considered myself in that danger when I was 16 - 17, but looking back I'd say it was the intervention of close friends that probably kept me on a stable path. Then meeting a girl in the same position & getting a grubby little bedsit. That gave me all the drive I needed to get out of there and find something better by seizing opportunities and working hard. But, I know other people wouldn't have had the support net, and sadly would have dropped straight through. A good reminder for us all Kaito.
Thanks for that..................I have similar memories with my step father, and I too put him into hospital on my 15th birthday. Which necessitated me leaving home and living with my Nan and Grandad. Hence why I went into the Navy at 16.5. About 9 months later I came home to find Mum had been beaten to a pulp. I put him in hospital again but this time for a long stay. I ended up at the civic centre over Christmas Day. I'm not proud of what I did but if you had seen the state of my mum you would understand. Also in truth though I would do it again.
My Divisional officer came to the station on Boxing Day after picking my mother up so the police had some idea what had made me do it. My step father dropped the charges against me otherwise he was going to be charged with something. I was released with nothing on my record.
My mother divorced him took my rooms at my Nans and 3 years later married a really nice man.
I also worked with homeless children for a short while and I totally agree about the politicians not doing enough to help. Its not just the tories though. Although I would agree the Labour Party has tried more than the tories it was never enough though.
I've come across the fathers that think all they have to do is beat the daylights out of the children to get them to do the right thing. I've also been down on my knees to parents to not put children into a children's home because they feel they cannot control them.
I'm proud to say I've had six children and Proud of each and every one of them all have been hard working and I have 19 grand children. I'm not sure I should have put that after divulging how many grand children I have......
Thank you Kaito and Beddy for sharing your life experiences, that show just how quickly people can lose their home.
Regarding homelessness, I might be wrong here, but if my memory serves me well landlords used to welcome tenants on benefits, because they were guaranteed receiving the rental payment direct from the council.
In recent years, especially since Universal Credit started, this has changed and the housing benefit payment is now paid directly to the benefit claimants.
I think that it has also been shown that going onto UC usually means receiving less in benefits, than when the benefits were separate payments, often giving the tenants the heartbreaking choice between paying rent, heating the home, feeding and clothing the family etc.
With heating and food being more immediate concerns for many, non payment of rent becomes an all too frequent option, which often leads to homelessness.
Just my opinion, but making housing benefits, once again (as the only option instead of only reinstating it when debts have occurred), payable direct to the landlords would alleviate much of the homelessness and also encourage more landlords to accept tenants who are not “professionals only”.
And on the topic of UC, that it is paid so many weeks in arrears means that claimants, without any savings, automatically go into debt and often borrow money from the DWP, who then take the money back at such a rate (from their UC payments) that they continue to accrue debt as a result of not having enough money to survive on.
Regarding homelessness, I might be wrong here, but if my memory serves me well landlords used to welcome tenants on benefits, because they were guaranteed receiving the rental payment direct from the council.
In recent years, especially since Universal Credit started, this has changed and the housing benefit payment is now paid directly to the benefit claimants.
I think that it has also been shown that going onto UC usually means receiving less in benefits, than when the benefits were separate payments, often giving the tenants the heartbreaking choice between paying rent, heating the home, feeding and clothing the family etc.
With heating and food being more immediate concerns for many, non payment of rent becomes an all too frequent option, which often leads to homelessness.
Just my opinion, but making housing benefits, once again (as the only option instead of only reinstating it when debts have occurred), payable direct to the landlords would alleviate much of the homelessness and also encourage more landlords to accept tenants who are not “professionals only”.
And on the topic of UC, that it is paid so many weeks in arrears means that claimants, without any savings, automatically go into debt and often borrow money from the DWP, who then take the money back at such a rate (from their UC payments) that they continue to accrue debt as a result of not having enough money to survive on.
A kinder, open and more inclusive society has room for those who find themselves in difficulties and support structures are more organic, within the environment that person is familiar with. Uprooting someone and sending them off to a hostel or to an institution that is totally alien to them just reinforces the belief they don't fit, that they are 'different' and are not a part of 'normal' society. For the very strong it's possible to fight through the system and still make a life but for those who don't have that strength it is often disastrous, leading to wasted lives.
There are no easy answers but the chronic lack of social housing is a massive issue and just exacerbates the problem. It is far easier for governments to ignore it than fix it. It's short sighted because rescuing a person from a downward spiral often leads to them again becoming a productive member of society who pays taxes and contributes to the country's wealth.
That is why this country needs a progressive socialist government that places people above money. A caring and inclusive society is the perfect vehicle to generate shared wealth and it's where everyone feels a sense of belonging. It's where people look out for each other and there is no place for out of control greed that is generated at the expense of the population. It's happening in other countries so it is possible.
There are no easy answers but the chronic lack of social housing is a massive issue and just exacerbates the problem. It is far easier for governments to ignore it than fix it. It's short sighted because rescuing a person from a downward spiral often leads to them again becoming a productive member of society who pays taxes and contributes to the country's wealth.
That is why this country needs a progressive socialist government that places people above money. A caring and inclusive society is the perfect vehicle to generate shared wealth and it's where everyone feels a sense of belonging. It's where people look out for each other and there is no place for out of control greed that is generated at the expense of the population. It's happening in other countries so it is possible.
Do you not think the present government have realised their mistake with the change in the benefit system. Am I wrong to understand they will try and do something about this. Didn't I read somewhere they were addressing this problem. Or have I got that wrong? At the time I still thought it wouldn't be enough. Or maybe I dreamt it.......?
You have got it wrong. With their majority they will do nothing to reverse the rollout of the blight that is Universal Credit.
They might tinker with one or two details of UC but they won’t make huge improvements. The worst aspect is that people are paid in arrears and end up borrowing money until their UC comes through, and then their UC is reduced today the loan off and they are back to square one.
Could you give us a few details on what you have read please?
I wish I could Chilcs
I have already looked around but couldn't find it. To be honest I may not have even read it this country. I just remember my wife and I discussing the point. Sadly she cant remember either. I'll keep trying sometimes something will come up that will stir a memory. She reads the mail so it could have come from them and I saw it. Sorry mate nothing to back it with at mo.........
Beddy, you have to realise this government is about maintaining rank and privilege, power and control and the ever expanding finances of the elite. If there was a shred of humanity in this government they would first address the enormous gulf between the rich and the poor, the chronic shortage of affordable homes and they would be addressing the present and future well being of the nation. They are doing none of that. Make no mistake, this is an aggressive capitalist government and their main focus is the generation and retention of money.
To this government the poor and needy are just a bloody nuisance that they see as producing nothing of value and are just a no-return cost factor. If you can't work and pay tax and can't afford to buy all the crap and junk that the mega corporations churn out then you are absolutely of no use to this government what so ever. If you are poor then you are classed as a parasite, sucking the life blood from the country. So no, this government will not do anything to change the benefit system that will in any way be beneficial to those who rely on it.