Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

[Kati]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

I agree with the above, BUT I have to begrudgingly say that I live in a beautiful area, but one of high deprivation. Many smoke and drink more than enough and find money to do so, then complain they can't afford electricity etc...

Please don't shoot the messenger here. I'm stating a fact about some people round where I live, though I know it's the stereotypical view of people on benefits and is far from the truth.

As for this ... I know exactly where you're coming from :tinysmile_hmm_t2:. I too live in a beautiful part of the country, and so many of the 'locals' can be found sitting in the local bars complaining about their lack of money. It's scary to think that some people can really believe that buying alcohol and tobacco (even drugs for some of them) is more important than keeping a roof over their head, paying their bills and feeding themselves/their family.

[Wombats]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

As for this ... I know exactly where you're coming from :tinysmile_hmm_t2:. I too live in a beautiful part of the country, and so many of the 'locals' can be found sitting in the local bars complaining about their lack of money. It's scary to think that some people can really believe that buying alcohol and tobacco (even drugs for some of them) is more important than keeping a roof over their head, paying their bills and feeding themselves/their family.

What makes this even sadder was a drug addict known as 'Bug' died in our village about 3-4 weeks ago from an overdose of a cocktail of drugs. He was a lovely lad, 35 years young and so friendly. He had an addiction, and that addiction cost him throughout his life. The craving for drugs or alcohol being greater than the craving for food.

We went to his funeral as he often used to call in to see us. Afterwards my wife and I sat down with some friends, another couple and we listed, immediately, without even thinking, 23 people we know to be dealing drugs. Believe you me, there is nobody less likely than me to spot a drug dealer. Drugs etc... are another world to me (or were before I moved here). If we know that many, the police will know them to - why are they not doing anything about them? I'm not just talking cannabis, though that is currently illegal in this country. I'm talking steroids, heroine, benzos - you name it, they deal it and it is ridiculously cheap. They are murderers - they are killing people as much as taking a knife to their throats, but it's a longer, slower death. The police should act, they don't care.

[Kati]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

I know of one or two people around here too - in fact the rented property we recently moved into had a shed with syringes scattered around it (thankfully the landlord did a good clear up job). We started clearing the weeds out of the garden and I personally found another 15, which I duly boxed up and handed in at the local GPs surgery for disposal. We have had bailiffs knocking at the door asking for the previous tenants (and told where to get off :tinysmile_twink_t2 and STILL get daily letters from DCAs etc addressed to them (all returned as 'addressee unknown')

The local police force is always being called out because of drug or drink related episodes, and nothing seems to be getting done to remedy the situation! While I'm sure that they do what they can, I cannot help but wish that there was more help available for those that need it!

[enquirer]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

If we know that many, the police will know them to - why are they not doing anything about them?

Because their masters want the population doped up to the eyeballs. Once they are, the process of population reduction can begin in earnest.

[Kati]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

The DWP are now trying to sanction people who are 'on the sick' with mental/depression problems and claiming ESA etc... unless they can PROVE that they are getting help for their illness - do they mean to put everyone on anti-depressants??

[Wombats]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

The DWP are now trying to sanction people who are 'on the sick' with mental/depression problems and claiming ESA etc... unless they can PROVE that they are getting help for their illness - do they mean to put everyone on anti-depressants??

No, I don't think that's what they're saying. There are, as you may know, lots of non-medical interventions and treatments for mental health issues. I suspect they are saying they want them to at least show willing to do something about it. Of course an integral part of depression is that to do anything at all, and at times I mean literally anything at all, is a major, monumental effort.

The 'at home' services are there, but only available once at least the initial consultation with a GP has taken place, and it's highly unlikely they'd become available immediately unless the patient is quite severely ill.

Anti-depressants are the first thing given out often because the doctors know they take 2-3 weeks to get into the system and even start to show an improvement. Medicine alone will never cure depression though. 90% of any depressive recovery comes from within the person.

[Kati]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

I know that really but many people don't!! I'm a regular on a few sites/pages (under different names) and the major consensus at the moment is that this Government have us all 'royally sc****d'. there are so many stories of people being victimised, not just by the Government or the DWP or banks or loan sharks etc....

There are so many stories of people being harmed by the greed of others. It's just so disheartening

[enquirer]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

No, I don't think that's what they're saying. There are, as you may know, lots of non-medical interventions and treatments for mental health issues. I suspect they are saying they want them to at least show willing to do something about it.

Compulsory medication - take the drugs or starve. It should not be forgotten that the idea that your body belongs to the state is a key component of all totalitarian ideologies.

[Wombats]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

I'd better make it clear I'm not being serious before posting this.

Compulsory medication - take the drugs or starve. It should not be forgotten that the idea that your body belongs to the state is a key component of all totalitarian ideologies.

My body does not belong to the state, only my strawman, my corporate identity. I am free - Magna Carta and the Bill of Right 1689 secured that for me. :tinysmile_twink_t2:

[Kati]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

and my body belongs to me my mind too for that matter!!

I like the fact I am stubborn and pig-headed and will never let anyone control me (apart from my cat and my dogs :tongue2: and my baby :juggle: LOL)

[PAWS]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

Unfortunately the police often find it a waste of time and effort to arrest the local /small time dealers. They will never reveal the boys at the top of the tree and they are the only ones worth arresting. The amount of paperwork time and effort involved in arresting the local chaps is ridiculous and then the police have to stand by and watch them walk out of court with a small fine, a suspended sentence and two fingers in the air. In some instances the police will not approach them as they are actually afraid.They can only really take them on in organised raids and in most areas they don’thave enough money in their budget! It is enough to make your blood boil. :mad2:
Meanwhile the courts are clogged with destitute people who cannot pay their council tax!
I’d laugh if it wasn’t so tragic.

[PAWS]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

The Resolution Foundation forecast of 1.1 million in the most severe 'debt peril' by 2018 was released along side advice that consumers should prepare themselves for rising interest rates.
Excuse me? More like 20 million. You’d think with all the money pouring into this foundation and the high powered CVs of the people working there, they could rake up some more accurate information. :mmph:

[Mr $quandaŁot]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

When a DCA calls, why not just have some fun with them?

As I've posted before, I would never answer their security questions. However, I would do my best to keep them on the line for some time.

Then I would start asking them questions, some of which were rather personal like whether they were in a relationship, married, divorced, etc, followed by kids and religious beliefs!

How I miss all those calls. I no longer get called by DCAs. If I do in the future, I will make most of it!

[PAWS]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

Good stuff Mr S! Though I am glad the're not calling you anymore:amen:
To get rid of cold callers I used to ask them what they were wearing. They usually hung up and rarely called back!:eyebrows:

[Kati]

Re: Squeezed Britain & The Cost of Living Crisis

Good stuff Mr S! Though I am glad the're not calling you anymore:amen:
To get rid of cold callers I used to ask them what they were wearing. They usually hung up and rarely called back!:eyebrows:

I always have fun with cold callers ... I've got loads of old Eurovision songs recorded and I put them on 'hold' for as long as I can. Or we speak German to them they soon give up!