Are we a nanny state?

[borderdawn]

Originally Posted by Naomi

There is a guy in our street who says he can't work cos he's had a triple by pass op yet he can dig out his back garden and lay concrete by hand

What is stopping him from getting a job?.......The fact that they'd loose a lot of money and wont be able to afford to go on a 2 week holiday every year to Spain and will have to pay their full council tax, rent etc

There are so many who are "disabled" but can go on holiday, do this do that, walk here, walk there etc.. I wouldnt hesitate to report somebody if I thought they were blatently idle and lying about their actual health status. When I had my heart "do" the consultant cardiologist advised me not to work, no strenuous exercise etc.. yeah ok, and sit on my **** all day, I dont think so, I would have to be a damn sight worse than I am to ever consider not working,these people need to get a grip on life.
Dawn.

[Mags]

I think it is a bit unfair to generalise about people who are registered as disabled going on holidays abroad.

My next door neighbour is 42, registered disabled, doesn't work but tries her hardest to lead a 'normal' life, has just returned from a two week holiday in Greece.

She is diabetic, had a stroke 10 years ago which has left her weak on her left side, she had a triple heart bypass about 7 years ago.......she had a kidney transplant 4 years ago. She is now on steroids and other tablets for the rest of her life which has made her put on a lot of weight. Throughout these last 10 years she has raised her two teenage children and I have never heard her complain once about her health. She is just grateful that she is still alive and can still do things like going on holiday.

If you met her you wouldn't think there was much wrong with her except her weight problem due to medication. Up close you can see her major operation scars......but she is one who doesn't flaunt her illnesses and makes the best of the life she has.

Sorry to go on but it does seem that people think because they cannot 'see' a disability in a person, they are conning the State..

[Naomi]

I was generalising abit there wasn't I

I know this guy is not registered disabled as his wife keeps telling me that they have been turned down again for Disbaility Allowance, can't get a disabled persons badge etc. His doctor has given him the all clear to return to work, he just chooses not to as it's easier and cheaper to have the Income Support.

These are the kind of people who make me mad not the ones who are genuinely disabled and try to carry on life as normal

Think I'll put my shovel down now before I dig myself into an even deeper hole

[Mags]

.....keep that shovel in your hand Nae, it was more likely I didn't word it right!!

What I was trying to say is that some people don't have to look disabled to be registered as disabled (it still doesn't sound quite right!)

Can I share that hole with you Nae!

[LMC]

Unfortunately, there is too much focus on "rights" and not enough on responsibilities.

Going back to the original question rather than discussing individual cases - are we a nanny state?

Yes. The state is far too fond of poking its nose in and telling us how we should live our private lives. This Government has created a culture of fear and dependency - which worries me: it's the first step towards dictatorship.

[Naomi]

Originally Posted by Mags

:
Can I share that hole with you Nae!

I think I've dug it big enough for us all to get in

I do see what you mean tho Mags

[Hreow]

I don't think we're a nanny-state quite yet, but getting there rapidly.