Long-term jobless 'could face compulsory manual labour'

[Blue Tile Spook]

This is going to get more than a few people upset; those that may be forced to work and those that defend the people collecting the UK's version of unemployment for long periods.

BBC News - Long-term jobless 'could face compulsory manual labour'

 

[G_Stines]

[snip]..to take part in community work for charities or local councils.[/snip]

Well, that's better than sitting around with your thumb up your but I suppose. When I read this, I was thinking labor camp. Still... I dunno how well that going to go over with the General Public over in Britain.

 

[rambone]

Slavery returns to Britain.

 

[pudly]

Slavery returns to Britain.

Not at all. They have the option of not taking tax dollars for support. This actually becomes regular employment, just not necessarily in a job that they wanted. The only ones that have no choice in this exchange are the tax payers.

 

[Security122]

Not at all. They have the option of not taking tax dollars for support. This actually becomes regular employment, just not necessarily in a job that they wanted. The only ones that have no choice in this exchange are the tax payers.

This quote, "The Work Activity scheme is said to be designed to flush out claimants who have opted for a life on benefits..." says it all.

 

[Leadeye]

The article is very short on details which really mean everything is a project like this.

 

[mrjarrell]

Sounds just like what most conservatives have been calling for, for decades. Why the whining?

 

[SemperFiUSMC]

Headline should have read "Chronically unemployed offered jobs"

 

[Expat]

I see no problem with it. If I want to take the taxpayers' money, I should be willing to do some work for it.

 

[LEaSH]

I can't say I wouldn't be all for the idea.

I don't consider unemployment checks the same thing as those receiving welfare handouts for many years at a time - and teaching their offspring the habit.

The amount spent on keeping people on generational welfare is astounding.

I'd love to see those folks work at least 20 hours a week.

 

[littletommy]

What do you know, the Brits finally do something that makes sense.

 

[jbombelli]

People on public assistance should be required to work for that money. I don't care if all they have to do is walk along the road and pick up cigarette butts, or clean up after people's dogs at the park. As long as they are capable, recipients should be required to work. NO work, NO money.

 

[LeeStreet]

People on public assistance should be required to work for that money. I don't care if all they have to do is walk along the road and pick up cigarette butts, or clean up after people's dogs at the park. As long as they are capable, recipients should be required to work. NO work, NO money.

And all the flock says.........................AMEN.

 

[rambone]

Are you guys kidding? Praising this leap of fascism and Big Government?

"A Government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."

I am not in anyway defending the Welfare State. But if there ever was a "slippery slope" idea, this is it. If the Government can force one group into "compulsory service," it can force more groups into "compulsory service." If it was public employment, I'm sure they would have no problem calling it that.

This is what the road to serfdom looks like. Be careful what you wish for. You can't cure socialism by instituting fascism.

 

[Expat]

Are you guys kidding? Praising this leap of fascism and Big Government?

"A Government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."

I am not in anyway defending the Welfare State. But if there ever was a "slippery slope" idea, this is it. If the Government can force one group into "compulsory service," it can force more groups into "compulsory service." If it was public employment, I'm sure they would have no problem calling it that.

This is what the road to serfdom looks like. Be careful what you wish for. You can't cure socialism by instituting fascism.

I don't think most of us consider it compulsory service. If you don't want to collect the taxpayer money, you don't have to work and vice versa. Pretty simple.

 

[printcraft]

I don't agree with this idea for "unemployment"

The people collecting unemployment were once employed and
did and do have the ability and "want" to go back to work.

However...
People collecting welfare don't want to work in the first place.
I can see a "work for your bread" kind of system.
Don't want to work....... no problem, we can't make you.............
oh, you don't get a free ride though..............

 

[rambone]

I don't think most of us consider it compulsory service. If you don't want to collect the taxpayer money, you don't have to work and vice versa. Pretty simple.

Well the guy writing the law considers it "compulsory service," as well as anybody who reads between the lines when it comes to grand new government ideas. In this case they are making it pretty obvious.

You can gauge any new government proposal by asking yourself, "does this idea give more power to the government or less power?" Clearly this is results in more government power. And we both have taken our usual stances.

The correct way to fix a Welfare State is to repeal the welfare, not set new legal precedents that get the serfs used to the idea of being a slave of the government.

Good thing we have an constitutional amendment that addresses involuntary servitude.

 

[mrjarrell]

Good thing we have an constitutional amendment that addresses involuntary servitude.

That's been dead for decades.

 

[dross]

I don't see the compulsion.

Don't take the money. Dance to the tune, pay the band.

 

[Arm America]

Never work, next someone would demand passing of a drug test before going to work.
Thats 2-negatives, the next hurdle would require fluent speaking of English. (thats 3)

Nope, we don't have the nads to pull this off,
easier to continue draining from those with a job
and hand it to those that do not.