[realitytvsux]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

I agree there are too many stories like these appearing in tabloid newspapers for their shock value, they are in reality a very very small minority of a much larger socially deprived underclass who rely on a variety of benefits to survive.

I think we have seen recently an increase in these types of sensationalised articles which reinforce this lazy idle ignorant benefit claiming stereotype. I have to wonder if there is not a more sinister plot at work here. It's no secret the current Govt is desperate to overhaul the whole benefit system and needs public opinion onside so it has cover when the axe falls and thousands of recipients will find their benefits vastly reduced or stopped.

The current system is too complicated and is open to certain abuses but it does offer a safety net to the most disadvantaged members of our society so any reform has to measured, fair and should focus on helping the people who need help the most. Using the press to create a climate of fear and loathing for these people to justify savage cuts is not the answer...!!!

I agree with you Nedusa and Jack it is so very easy to demonise people at the lower end of the economic scale. Meanwhile the super rich, corporations and our delightful rulers whose unpaid taxes and misclaimed expenses far exceed any financial damage the benefits claimants are doing to the general population - get off free. Not to mention the wars we are all paying for to protect business interests in oil rich countries. Seriously, this woman is hardly a shining example of UK womanhood but let's not be deluded about where the real misappropriation of funds goes on.