Being screwed by the system

For those that know me, will know my wife lost her job nearly 6 months ago and as yet hasn’t found another job. Having worked as a manager in the motor trade she has found it very hard to find another position.

During this time Suzanne has been claiming Job Seekers Allowance (£62pw), only to now be told she no longer qualifies! Why? Well, because I earn more than twice the minimum wage, according to the rules, this is sufficient to pay for the essentials. So the sod the fact we have a mortgage, household bills and other debts, which are only going to increase.

As a consequence of the added pressure on my finances and the fishing will have to take a back seat at the moment. Unfortunately, I have had to cancel my involvement in Tony Rixons Float League, which is disappointing, because I was looking forward to it, but trying to keep my head above water has to take priority.

What I find the most galling is Suzanne is a casualty of an economic crisis, yet despite previously contributing to the system by way of taxes and National Insurance, she won’t be getting anything. It appears the more you contribute to the system the less you get back. Speaking to a number of people, as well as chatting over the Internet, there is a definite air of discontentment.

There is the obvious anger at the reasons why we find ourselves in this economic mess. As someone who works in financial services, I understand the reason better than most. It is a matter of fact that the economy goes in cycles, so following a period of growth, there was always going to be a downturn. However, this downturn is incredibly severe, when to be honest it shouldn’t be and the government has a lot to answer for.
It has been very convenient for the government that house prices had continued to rise, the extra revenue generated from inheritance tax and stamp duty has been massive, but were has the money gone? Chasing weapons of mass destruction and brown nosing an absolute muppett in the US. With increasing house prices, mortgage providers had to find new ways of offering mortgages to the general public and so starts the ever decreasing circle.

What I find incredible is the government and the financial institutions didn’t see the signs, or chose to ignore them. Unfortunately it is human nature to believe the good times we will continue, however the government via the FSA (Financial Services Authority), should have more closely regulated the industry. They would not been able to stop the downturn, because it is part of the cycle, however by saying enough is enough, then I believe we wont be in as deep as we are at the moment. As I said before this didn’t suit a government who are quite happy to fritter away our taxes.

So now we find ourselves in this position, many of us have lost jobs or working more hours for less money, which is certainly true in my case. However the government has forgotten about those who have previously contributed to the system, preferring to look after those deemed to be not so well off, like the overweight family, who say they are too ill to work, so they get virtually everything paid for them. Withdraw their benefits, they will suddenly be well enough to work!

So why am I ranting? Well it hurts when you arrive home and find your wife in tears, because some drunk, drug addict or other low life is deemed to be more worthy to receive benefits. These people will continue to take from society, whilst giving nothing back. Whilst those who want to work, get shafted.

Hopefully, Suzanne will get a job soon and I can get back to fishing!