Famous, Rich And Hungry

[sherrardk]

For those that are interested this is just starting on BBC 1.

[DrFilth]

these benefit street shows get you lot going -)

[naomi24]

Mmm ... thought so. Ignorance is bliss.

[naomi24]

^^That was to Sherrard.

[DrFilth]

don't worry naomi you know you have hit rock bottom when you are not even good enough to be classed as a benefit scumbag



so the only way is up

[sandyRoe]

Naomi, you don't strike me as a person who has ever had to walk around with holes in the soles of your shoes and nothing between you and the wet Wintery ground but a bit of cardboard. Though in that thought I may be wrong.

[naomi24]

SandyRoe, you are.

Night all.

[sherrardk]

Naomi, lack of information about others is bliss. I have no idea of your background, I have been very open about my own. You obviously have your own story but I have found, when I have noticed your posts, that you show little empathy with anyone else. Each to their own, you just come across as hard.

[DrFilth]

sandy you mean hoover leather -)

[ummmm]

Pure snobbery....

[naomi24]

Sherrard, no, you don't know anything about my background - but Ummmm seems to think she does. Still, at least it raises a chuckle on a chilly morning. :o)

I'm not hard - far from it - but I am outspoken and I don't make the 'right noises' simply to ingratiate myself with the crowd. Contrary to what appears to be popular belief, people on benefits who do not attempt to help themselves are not beyond criticism – and nor should they be.

[ummmm]

I didn't claim to know anything about you, Naomi...

Just like you know nothing about me.

You've lost your compassion along the way though.

[naomi24]

I've lost neither my compassion - nor my honesty.

[ummmm]

You have a 'get up and sort it' attitude. You seem to think that people, regardless of their situation, should make more of an effort. It's an effort just surviving for some.

[naomi24]

That's because I think anyone capable should get up and sort it. Take for example the man who was advised by someone who really knows about money to declare himself bankrupt. Why do you think he hasn't taken that advice, preferring instead to struggle on buying expensive shop-cooked fish & chips – on credit – to feed his family in order to continue to pay the exorbitant charges on his loan? He’s a security guard – not a shrinking violet. I suspect the reason he hasn’t taken that advice is because he knows that if he does he’ll find it very difficult to get future credit – even though, in reality, that would be the best thing that could happen to him because then he would find himself able to meet his living costs - and he might even have some money in the bank. As I said, he’s his own worst enemy – and so are a lot of others. Despite its title, this programme wasn’t about benefits, or hunger – it was about the perils of debt – something that keeps those who have least even poorer. Shame they don’t realise it.

[sherrardk]

The fee for filing for bankruptcy is now £700 - https://www.gov.uk/bankruptcy/applying-for-bankruptcy

I expect the security man can't get his hands on such a sum of money, it's a vicious circle.

[naomi24]

He could if he defaulted on his loan repayment for a month. How do you think other people with no money do it? They don't struggle on paying - they say they can't pay. That's bankruptcy.

[sherrardk]

I know what bankruptcy is - been there and got the t shirt.

[naomi24]

I know - you told me. I'm surprised it didn't occur to you that he can raise the necessary fee by defaulting on his payment.

[Mamyalynne]

The trouble is when things get this bad a sort of paralysis takes over - akin to a rabbit caught in headlights.

If food is needed and the chippy is the only place that gives tick, that's where dinner comes from.

Everything looks and sounds clear when explained but the practicalities of getting through each grinding day is wearying and people become immobilised by it.

[naomi24]

That's true - but when a solution is suggested it's rejected. Why is that?