The Tory's Strike Again

Now, this isn't some Conservative bashing post full of uneducated ramblings by some muesli munching, left-wing head case. Well not completely anyway. The news channel have been dominated over the last few days surrounding plans the Government (or "big G" as I like to call them) have to completely take away housing benefit money for under 25's in order to save a couple of billion, which can be better used on public services - or so they say. Well, I'm not on benefit money but I definitely know quite a few people who are and this is the first problem we encounter with this joke of a coalition. David Cameron nor any of his Tory members are able to truly empathise with the average, working class man who is surviving on minimum wage. They don't have a clue what it's like to have money worries or what it's like to panic at the end of every month wondering whether or not there is enough rent money; nor do they understand using the spare change at the bottom of your handbag to buy food with. These are actual examples I've encountered with people and I feel as though the Government doesn't seem to understand this. How does creating more money worries, solve money problems? It's like Cameron is dying to leave some sort of legacy from his time as Prime Minister by pushing this "we need change"-esque mottos into our lives. His ego is getting in the way of doing the right thing. I'm no finance expert, but even I can see the madness in thinking we can solve a multi-trillion pound debt within the world's economy in a few short years. It will take time, years and years probably to get our economy back to anywhere near what it once was, and by taking such drastic actions over and over again in such a short space of time can only be detrimental to the society as well as the economy.

Obviously it's the PM's advisors who are also to blame, but, Cameron put himself forward as wanting to be in charge of the country so he should take the blame when the ideas, that are his parties are being pushed forward, are reckless. First it started with the tuition fees and the horrid u-turn of Nick Clegg (who I voted for) and his party for the rise of over triple the cost to attend university. When the country is in such a debt, where money is hard to come by, when people can't get jobs, is it really wise to start mimicking the education system of the likes of America and charge ridiculous fees for the average teenager wanting to better themselves? If I had been in the UK at the time of the student protests, I would of joined them. Does the Government not realise it's the youth of today who will be in charge tomorrow? By making going to university an elitist option, society will inevitably suffer and the divide between rich and poor, as well as bitterness and hatred, will only grow. Sure, if there are no jobs anyway, why would the average student risk taking a loan of over thirty grand without the guarantee of a job. Only the wealthy can afford to take such risks, it's probably what got us into this mess in the first place.

Regarding the housing benefit, now young adults will be forced to move back in with their parents and not live the independent life they should be doing. When you reach those vital years, from late teens to early twenties, and move out on your own for the first time, you gain confidence as well as life skills which all go hand in hand with looking, applying for and hopefully getting a job. How demoralising will it be now for young adults? Even embarrassing for some to have to be forced to go back home because the Government say so. Unemployment is so high at the moment as there aren't enough jobs available for graduates as employers want experience, yet you can only get experience if you get a job. It's a vicious circle and if the Government wanted any suggestion it would be to make all internships paid - first and foremost. I personally know a few people who are wealthy enough to do internships for no pay for months on end. Internships are one of the most vital tools you can use to end up in full time employment as it gets you a foot in the door of a particular company and it's unfair that they are places secured only for the well to do. They should change the current system to give everyone a fair chance.

I suppose as I am an under 25, I realise how the real situation is. Young, single people with no dependants are seen as an easy target for Government cuts. This isn't like the olden days where families all stuck together and they children only left the home when they were getting married. Times have changed, we as a society have become more independent and pay enough taxes in order to have temporary support when it is needed. Of course I am not referring to the benefit fraudsters who have never worked a day in their lives and somehow live rather extravagant lifestyles - I will do a post on them at a later date - but the genuine members of the public - my friends included - who are panicking about what to do should their housing benefit stop and then still not have a full time job. A lot of them live in London where there are the most opportunities, should they have to move back to various parts of the UK to cities that are even worse off? I cannot see the sense in it.

If you want to save a couple of billion, then get at the 1% who keep their billions in offshore, tax haven accounts to pay their taxes. I'm sure Cameron and his companions know a few of them.

(images via Guardian and toonpool)