Kerre Woodham and the Wrong Assumptions
Today's Herald on Sunday includes a reaction piece from Kerre Woodham (to Don Brash's speech). She shows herself to be a Remuera chardonnay Socialist.
First off says she knows no-one who is 'bludging' on a benefit, but doesn't disclose how many beneficiaries she knows. Hmmmmmm. But her "blood boils when I hear of slappers producing a brood of five different kids to five different dads while camping on the benefit. And fit and healthy young men who would rather sit on the dole than work as labourers, infuriate me too."
I think that was Don's point.
She then goes on to say that White Collar crims who commit tax fraud are just as bad as any bludger - too right. I always think it's a mistake of right-wing politicians when they announce tougher sentencing for young men who beat up old ladies (making them too scared to leave home) that they don't announce tougher sentencing for middle-aged white blokes who rip off old ladies so that they lose the home.
(A little aside, for all the noise the Green Party make about white collar crime their policy is that all non-violent offenders should not get custodial sentences. Bank robbers still go to prison.)
Woodham then says "Our welfare system, according to the 1972 Royal Commission on Social Security, is supposed to ensure that, within limitations which may be imposed by physical or other disabilities, everyone is able to enjoy a standard of living much like that of the rest of the community, and thus is able to feel a sense of participation in and belonging to the community.
People who feel they have a stake in the community are unlikely to commit anti-social crimes and are more likely to strive to return to the fold where possible."
So we're tied to the ideas of 1972 - break out the psychedelic ties, platform boots and hippie hairstyles everyone (or the nappies in my case). She gets it completely wrong - people are motivated by self-interest. If welfare provides enough support to be able to participate fully in society then it is too much. Welfare is a mechanism to allow people to survive until they get back on their feet.
And as for not committing crimes - check out the tagging in Naenae then compare it with Woburn where there is none.
Kerre should live in the real world sometime - it's so much better.
First off says she knows no-one who is 'bludging' on a benefit, but doesn't disclose how many beneficiaries she knows. Hmmmmmm. But her "blood boils when I hear of slappers producing a brood of five different kids to five different dads while camping on the benefit. And fit and healthy young men who would rather sit on the dole than work as labourers, infuriate me too."
I think that was Don's point.
She then goes on to say that White Collar crims who commit tax fraud are just as bad as any bludger - too right. I always think it's a mistake of right-wing politicians when they announce tougher sentencing for young men who beat up old ladies (making them too scared to leave home) that they don't announce tougher sentencing for middle-aged white blokes who rip off old ladies so that they lose the home.
(A little aside, for all the noise the Green Party make about white collar crime their policy is that all non-violent offenders should not get custodial sentences. Bank robbers still go to prison.)
Woodham then says "Our welfare system, according to the 1972 Royal Commission on Social Security, is supposed to ensure that, within limitations which may be imposed by physical or other disabilities, everyone is able to enjoy a standard of living much like that of the rest of the community, and thus is able to feel a sense of participation in and belonging to the community.
People who feel they have a stake in the community are unlikely to commit anti-social crimes and are more likely to strive to return to the fold where possible."
So we're tied to the ideas of 1972 - break out the psychedelic ties, platform boots and hippie hairstyles everyone (or the nappies in my case). She gets it completely wrong - people are motivated by self-interest. If welfare provides enough support to be able to participate fully in society then it is too much. Welfare is a mechanism to allow people to survive until they get back on their feet.
And as for not committing crimes - check out the tagging in Naenae then compare it with Woburn where there is none.
Kerre should live in the real world sometime - it's so much better.
posted by Michael at
8:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home