Tag: #benefits

Nuclear vs Disability

2,733 miles between London and Tehran.

1,325 miles between London and Kyiv

1,554 miles between London and Moscow

2,233 miles between London and Tel Aviv

 

2,220 miles range of an F35A

2,900 miles range of a Typhoon

 

The British Royal Navy / Royal Air Force bought 138 F35B’s for use with the two fleet carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

However, it is stated in an article published in February this year, (19fortyfive.com by Steve Balestrieri), that “Aircraft availability is a persistent issue. The UK has built its carrier designs around the F-35B and its air superiority and strike capability. However, procurement delays, maintenance issues, and rising costs have impacted the numbers present. Only a handful of the 138 F-35Bs ordered for purchase are fully operationally available.”

There is little difference between the F35A and F35B, both being variants of the same aircraft.

The F35 development has never lived upto expectations, we bought into it for political reasons not because it was going to be superior to anything that Britain and its European partners could build.

The F35 was sold to us as a next generation stealth jump jet, however it really isn’t. If it takes off vertically, or goes supersonic  it burns away it’s stealth shielding. 

The planes are difficult to maintain and are not very reliable.

The F35 cannot match the F22 fighter, but the USA will not sell us the F22, even though we are supposed to be their allies.

A brief history lesson, Britain developed Vtol (vertical take off and landing) aircraft, from the trials of the flying bedstead, to the amazing Hawker Siddley Harrier and Sea Harrier. The Harrier was the most versatile aircraft realistically that the RAF and the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm ever had. They were used in actual combat during the Falklands war, and other than accidents no aircraft were lost to enemy action.

They were so good that we then let an American company, Mcdonnell Douglas build them under license.  The United States Marine Corps still use them today, and when we supposedly were mothballing ours (putting them into storage) some ridiculous British politician agreed to give them all to the USA to use for spare parts.

So the one other aircraft the navy could use off these poorly designed carriers were given away.

Sadly another (or even the same) politician removed the steam catapult capability when we were building our two carriers, to save a couple of million quid, meaning that the Typhoon fighters that Britain are building with our European partners cannot be used.

We also had Tornado aircraft that the RAF used so well, that American pilots flying alongside them were in awe at the plane and skill of its pilots 

The Tornado excelled in both Gulf wars, and outclassed all in its ground attack role. flying faster than  the speed of sound, over terrain at below 200ft.

There will be folk arguing that it was outclassed by other more modern fighters, however at low level it truly wasn’t, and it’s stand off weapons could deal with other air threats that were way over the horizon. The Tornado could carry almost all types of weapons systems.

So again we retired British built planes in favour of substandard American ones.

As for Stealth? Well we as a British Air Industry lead the world in that too, by accident more than design, the Vulcan Atomic Bomber (Britain’s Nuclear deterrent) gave the radar signature akin to an armchair.

Instead of our consecutive governments, since Thatcher’s asset stripping of UK industry, actually investing in British technology, research and manufacturing, they have given everything away to the USA. I won’t say sold, because we profited from very little of it.

Now I am not saying we as a nation should be proud of our military might and expertise, far from it, but as a sabre rattling nation we are truly a joke.

Starmer is currently telling us he is investing more in nuclear deterrents, but the one we have, Trident, is a US system, one that can only be used with American consent, cannot be aimed at the USA or their allies, which currently we wouldn’t want to do, I agree, but given Trumps irrational behaviours, it may one day be the case. We pay America rent, to put their weapons on our submarines.

So Starmer now is stating we will be buying American missiles, to place on defective American supplied planes, to be fired at American nominated targets.

In Britain today with have people living in abject poverty, yet instead of investing in our people, we have yet another Primate Minister shouting at the world, likely, I believe,  under instructions of his paymasters in Israel, in the USA, in Russia too, whilst using fascist policies to cut funding and support to the absolute most vulnerable in our society. Branding sick and disabled people as scroungers, fraudsters, lazy and useless. That Mr Starmer is truly hate crime, and breaks so many UK and international laws, and then placing the entire country in peril,  under the instruction of foreign powers is in my humble opinion High Treason.

Mr Starmer and his Cabinet of soulless creatures need removing from power. They already are taking lives, but just how far are these, in my considered opinion, corrupt people, actually prepared to go?

Will you and your family next?

 

Disabled scum…..a life in the UK

In the UK today, if you are a person with disability or chronic ill health,and you are not wealthy enough to live by “independent means”, you have to claim what are laughingly called “benefits”.

The so called “benefits” you can claim are Universal Credit, ESA – Employment Support Allowance, and PIP – Personal Independence Payment.

Universal Credit and ESA are both means tested, so if you are wealthy enough to have savings, that are not hidden in the Seychelles or other off shore accounts, you may not get them, although if you have over £6,000 in savings you won’t get the full amount either. So people that have managed to save a nest egg when working may also lose out, until they become broke.

PIP however is about how you disability effects you. It’s not means tested, anyone who meets the criteria, can apply.

Sadly though, PIP is not fit for purpose, it limits choice as it is, however if the government then decided to restrict it further with vouchers the government would just encourage even more disabled people to take their own lives.

It’s already shameful that being ill or having a disability stops people from living their lives as they would wish.

Before I got ill I spent many years as a child protection social worker, trying to ensure children and families were kept safe from harm. I have seen PIP. and disability from both sides. I have seen a very few folk that upon the face of it play the system, but given i am not their doctor, cannot feel what they are going through I could not say for sure, but have alsi seen countless folk who have been turned down when they should have been recieving it, had it stopped for technicality, and not then got it back, had it stopped out of some bizarre consequence for daring to try to live, and had it used as a threat for compliance.

Disability payment has been used as a diversion tool by consecutive governments since 1979. It has lead to the current system whereby people have to jump through hoops often at the worst times of their lives just to get a very basic level of support.

Disabled and Chronically Ill people are told they can claim for “benefits”, but these are not “benefits” they are our entitlements we have paid for through the systems that have been in place since way before I was born, “national insurance”.

Once people claim these so called benefits they are placed in a position where they live in constant fear of their entitlement being stopped, they are condemned if they are seen as trying to live as normal a life as possible, not only by the Department of Work and Pensions – #DWP, but also by the public and even people they see as friends or family. The effects of this fear also stretches to them being seen as scroungers, as an underclass, as what certain members of previous government have identified as “eaters”.

Even simple things like going on holiday are restricted, not only as where they can go but duration, having to risk losing their “benefit” – means to live and survive, if someone in the DWP deems their holiday breeches some internal guidance.

Beyond this, things that when I was working would have been confidential to me, such as my bank account, my spending, my economic habits are now scrutinised without even agreement or  notification.

Having to live upon benefits due to illness is not an easy life, it’s not a choice or lifestyle. When I worked full time I had a purpose, I had reason to live, I also had an extremely good wage and standard of living, giving that up to survive upon benefits was never a choice. 

People see me on the few better days I have, and if I am coping with the constant pain, the exhaustion, and putting on the act, which so many of us feel we have to do,  the making out to onlookers, to friends, to family that we are coping, if I can put my brain fog and confusion to one side long enough to appear interested or focused in a conversation, then they will have no realisation of my fight, of my battle I fight each day.

Sadly though because people only see me on the days I feign being able to manage, they see me as a fake, as a scrounger, as someone living a life paid for by everyone else.

The thing is they do not see me on the days where I cannot even get out of bed to make it to the toilet, where I cannot stand long enough to make a brew, where if no one is here I don’t eat, when I only see a grey mist of disinterest, despair and hopelessness. they will not understand the living in constant pain, of every movement hurting, of not being able to undertake the most basic of tasks.

People do not have any understanding of the effects of not being able to plan or commit, of having to cancel appointment after appointment,  to the point of being struck off dentist, doctors and consultants lists. Of having housing threatening you because you had to cancel three appointments for your gas safety check.

People do not see the fear of the doorbell, the not being able to let folk in because you have not been able to complete the most basic of domestic tasks or personal care. The loss of pride in your home, in your life and in your self.

It’s impossible for many an outsider to recognise how illness strips away not only pride, confidence and self worth, but the relationships we held dear, not only friends but close family. I now have no relationship with my son or daughter, and at times only a fractured one with my parents, and sister, and the loss of countless friends that once called me “brother”.

So before you or government judges people with disabilities, with life restricting and threatening conditions, with terminal illness, before new legislarion is brought in to vilify us even more, to test our resolve to remain alive, to prevent our inclusion as valued human beings, to identify us as even more worthless, to steal our choices, to destroy any hope of living a sustainable and valued life,please think.

Disability and chronic health conditions are sadly too common, they are not expected, not part of any plan we may have, they hit us at any time, often when we begin to feel our lives are worthwhile,  whether measured financially or in the self respect we hold.

The only difference between you and someone in need of the support PIP should bring is circumstance. You may be well today, but tomorrow…..? That’s why we pay “national insurance “,  it’s why we used to value families and community.

So stop condemning the most vulnerable in society, and give us the respect and support we all as humans deserve.

Free money!

“Claimants of PIP and other benefits could get £9000 free!” Absolute bollocks!!
When you see these headlines do not be taken in. Free cash doesn’t come to anyone but the rich.


The vile hacks putting out such shit should be …..erm…..ashamed (very revised comment upon my part) firstly there is no such thing as a benefit, that is a term to fool the foolish. You do not claim a benefit, you claim an entitlement.


Most of us that have to claim an entitlement, me sadly included, have earnt most of our lives and have paid in much more than we ever will claim back.


These badly written headlines (note there was no punctuation, because, these vile sensationalist prostitutes of our words, have only a knowledge of propaganda,

dissemination and division, not of the actual language they seek to weaponise) are not written to encourage those in need to claim, no, the use of ££££ and free actually is for all those not entitled to make a claim, to spout hate filled bile about “scroungers” or “scammers” or “lazy bastards” or even “illegals” (by the way illegals if that were even a valid term, as in people that are residing in the UK without permission and “leave to stay”, do not get benefits, they are in hiding, can’t really go down the job centre, and if they are found and not placed in a confinement centre “camp” , and yes they do really exist, and are not pleasant hotels, they are in truth seen as people with no recourse (no access to) public funds (that word benefits again). So nope they don’t get “free cash”, no matter what Sid or Andy says in the local working men’s club tells you! There families, friends and communities are responsible for feeding and accommodating them.


So why do folk get entitlements? Because they know and play the system? A very few maybe, but a lot less than the wealthy playing the tax system (you know? That money we all pay upon everything we earn, save and spend).


Most people get entitlements because they cannot work, whether through illness, disability or being a carer. Some because they cannot get jobs, or worse rely on zero hour contracts, an immoral system ensuring they never will have any stability, credit, or chances. Zero hour contracts, and sadly being on “entitlements” means no mortgage applications, loans only at horrific rates of interest, (some of the less desirable lenders, even so called “reputable doorstep lenders” can charge a rate over 100% above what was borrowed, and sadly the worst of these many times more than that), and quite often people having to claim, only have access to slum housing.


When people say living on the breadline, sadly it can be below that, with parents especially having to try to feed their own kids, by going without themselves.


So anyway let’s get back to this free cash shall we? How do we access benefits? A nice friendly phone call with an affable call handler is your first port of erm…call (excuse the pun).

Then if you meet the criteria to access an entitlement you will either go through a form with the advisor or be sent a form. The questions do not just include why you need to claim, but all sorts of delves into your life, past, present and future.


That’s the easy bit. Then you are assessed by an unnamed faceless person whom it seems, at whim can allow or disallow you getting any further.


Then if you are turned down for some entitlements it’s the end of the line. Others you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration by another faceless nameless being.


Even then you likely will still be turned down, and if you have the capacity to do so can appeal, which often takes around a year. 70% of people previously turned down by those people paid to stop you getting what you are entitled to, actually win the appeal and get their claim back dated.


That’d be when things really get challenging. Living your life waiting for the next white or brown envelope, the fear of trying to live on those days you cope with your pain a little better, knowing that people won’t understand that you are still in agony, and that the pain, and / or exhaustion is only being kept at bay to a small degree with prescribed poisons. That the walks you used to love are not possible anymore, that you are seen behaving “as a normal person” (not that such a person exists), therefore can’t be ill. Feeling your body deteriorate every single day because you dare not or cannot leave the house. Panic about a strange car parking near your home. Knowing people that don’t like you will quickly judge and try to get you into trouble because of their fake perceptions and lack of understanding. Sadly knowing so called friends actually judge by only seeing what they want to see.


Then there is the guilt of being unemployed, of being ill, of being immobile, of losing thoughts and words, of feeling pathetic, of not being able to do what society expects and demands.


Oh and the luck of having every day to yourself? Try it! A few days off when you are working may be bliss, but knowing you cannot work, that your home becomes a prison, that every day becomes the same, often with no contact with anyone from the outside world, not working becomes purgatory.

What of those that called you brother, or sister, or friend? What of there promises to always be there for you, their what soon becomes faux respect, what of them? They soon back away, when you have to stay at home, leaving you isolated from the life you had.


Then family become estranged. Often so easily poisoned by those who use your illness and disability against you. Those who reinforce your own views that you are pathetic.


And on top of this, bizarrely there are those who mimic you, that try to steal your story, that pretend your daily fight is theirs, these are the most dangerous of all, because soon they imagine your words to be theirs, then misquote, blame and even give voice to their own pathetic views as if they were yours. Sadly people who should know better are taken in so easily by the same type of person who would buy medals to wear as their own.


So free money? Not so free when you realise it was often earned before, and is paid for in the existence that follows. Its truly not free, nor a bleeding benefit.

I am no perfect English scholar, but I at least try, and am always sincere, writing what I truly believe to be the truth. If you have read this far, and understand please feel free to share.
Thank you for taking the time
Jonesy.