People on dole 'don't care about the community

[catsnknots]

I could not agree more.. I have met people up here that are thrid or fourth generation on the dole. They do nothing to interact with the community and never attend the council meetings but are the first to complain when something goes wrong. 

When I was reliant on welfare I use to volunteer and go to several events to keep up with what was going on and did my best to improve things for me and my community. I tried to give back whatever I could. I use to teach my kids that you never take welfare for granted as one day it will not be there for you. 

My 19 yr old that has left home never applied for unemployment, even when he could not find a job he went around and dropped flyers to houses as an IT person and has started his own business. He always said that wlefare was for those in real trouble and that people should always try to fend for themselves. 

We are running out of money... we cannot all expect to be supported forever... I know that we will always need some sort of welfare system, that some people will always be unemployable... but should we make them do more for that free money??? 

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/government-mp-says-people-on-dole-dont-care-ab...

An Abbott government MP has accused dole recipients of trying to "screw the system", saying they are too self-interested to bother attending community meetings.

Mr O'Dowd told a community meeting on Monday night in Capella, north-east Queensland: "You won't get anyone on the dole coming to these sort of meetings, because they don't care about the community, they care about themselves and how they can screw the system".

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The meeting was attended by about a dozen Capella residents.

In audio of the meeting heard by Fairfax Media, Mr O'Dowd also argued that too many Australians were exploiting the social security system, and that something needed to be done to stop welfare cheats. He recalled a conversation he had had recently with billionaire Gina Rinehart.

[bluecat*dancing]

Chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, Cassandra Goldie, said she was "very pleased" to hear that "the minister has confirmed the views expressed by Mr O'Dowd do not represent the views of the government".

Ms Goldie said the minister should go further and urge that the welfare debate "is a respectful and considered one".

"Unemployment can happen to anybody," she said. "Many people have been single parents, and people with a disability are highly valued members of the community."

Maree O'Halloran, President of the National Welfare Rights Network said Mr O'Dowd's comments were "unhelpful and untrue".

"There is no place for ignorance and demeaning stereotypes about people who are unemployed," Ms O'Halloran said.

"It's stereotypes like this that prevent people getting a fair go from employers.

"People who are unemployed are everywhere: they are our children, our neighbours, our partners and parents and grandparents".

[boris1gary]

Is the last sentence the punch line of a very long joke?

[boris1gary]

not your post Blue, the op.

[catsnknots]

And Bluecat? 

You are quoting part of the article for what reason? 

Is there a problem when a family of able bodied people has been on unemployment benefits for three generations and they do nothing to help themselves??? 

[boris1gary]

Is that what was recalled in the conversation with Gina, I am sure she is acquainted with lots and lots of unemployed people.

[bluecat*dancing]

I quoted that part because I agree with it, Yes, there is a problem when it becomes a family tradition to be on the dole, however, I believe that they are in the minority.

[the_great_she_elephant]

People on dole 'don't care about the community

S O M E may be a four letter word but it it not an oscenity and may be safely used on these boards without incurring the wrath of the mods. SOMEtimes using it even adds credibility to a post.

[catsnknots]

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@bluecat*dancing wrote:

Madc, I quoted that part because I agree with it, Yes, there is a problem when it becomes a family tradition to be on the dole, however, I believe that they are in the minority.

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I think it is 20% that are classed as unemployable. 

I guess it depends on where you live too. We have a high reliance on unemployment up here so our percentage would be higher. I do agree with that part of the article too. 

I worked darn hard to get myself employable again after becoming sick. I get angry with people that make no effort. They feed the stereotype of what I guess this article is about and what this MP is frustrated at. I have not met him personally but he is just near my electorate and I know what he is going on about. 

People make no effort to engage with their communities these days (and not just the unemployed) but I think that a work for the dole program could do wonders. Once they become engaged with the community their lives will be more enriched and society will be a better place. 

[catsnknots]

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

People on dole 'don't care about the community

S O M E may be a four letter word but it it not an oscenity and may be safely used on these boards without incurring the wrath of the mods. SOMEtimes using it even adds credibility to a post.

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It is the title of the article... not my words.. 

darn that has gotten me into trouble too many times.. lol