Heartless Bureaucracy

[Andromache]

Has society deteriorated to such a state that individual and compassionate exceptions to rigid rulings can no longer be made?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/ 5220290.stm

I do not accept the British public approve of decisions that humiliate and upset old and vulnerable citizens without question. Am I wrong?

[Catso]

I agree it isn't very nice. A lot of decisions like this just seem to be made so inflexibly, by authorities that just seem to want to throw their weight about.

I feel that at these sort of ages, upsets like this can be severely damaging to longevity.

[sandbach99]

After publicity he is now able to join his wife in the home, but no-one has said who will pick up the bill!.

[Whickerman]

I am disgusted that this could possibly happen. What about those who don't make the papers? It's sickening, and cost should not be a factor.

[cascarelli]

Agreed, cost doesnt come into this. What an awful thing to do.

[Andromache]

I didn't think the British were heartless and I thank you all for confirming this and for answering my question.

[JudgeJ]

This case is but a single example which demonstrates how this country is run today.

Many organisations especially, but not exclusively, those which are funded from the public purse and which do not benefit incomers, criminals or the work-shy (and some individuals in this country fall into all three of those categories) are run with disdain and disregard for their clients. Staff have �rules� which they apply with such rigidity and, in many case, just plain stupidity, that I often wonder how (if at all) they were generally educated and trained for the work that they do.

Two days ago there was a report in the press which showed a lorry which had become trapped after the road upon which it was travelling collapsed under it. A �Parking Attendant� promptly appeared on the scene and, instead of doing anything useful such as helping with the traffic chaos that obviously ensued, simply issued the vehicle (which was six feet from the kerb) with a parking ticket. The driver of the lorry was told he must appeal against the issue of the ticket �because of the rules�.

The case of this couple, though more serious, is similar in principle. Instead of applying the �rules� those responsible should have examined the circumstances (seeking the help and support of their managers if necessary) and arrived at a sensible decision.

But such behaviour is discouraged in today�s Britain. As a result of the policies of successive governments (not only the current one) individuals are no longer encouraged to think for themselves. It suits the authorities and employers to have, at their disposal, huge numbers of automatons who blindly do what they are told. Because they are unable to think clearly they are employed simply to operate rigid processes which have been designed with no room for exceptions. There is no provision for anybody to exercise their discretion, and the results are plain for all to see.

[Solarjunkie]

As desperately sad as this situation is for this couple, his joining her in the home means that another deserving person will have to keep on struggling as there is a limited number of beds.
I'd hate to be the person having to choose which person, in great need, gets the only bed available. Maybe it "shouldn't be a matter of money" but you can't take a quart from a pint pot.

[JudgeJ]

The most scandalous issue, though, solarjunkie, is that we have a pot containing many gallons available for use by the people in this country. Unfortunately it is being drained almost dry by individuals who, whilst perfectly able to do so, never have and never will put anything into it. There are also large numbers of people here draining the pot who should have no access to its contents whatsoever.

[Andromache]

I understand your point, Solarjunkie, but I do believe that one of the richest nations in the world could handle such situations more compassionately, particularly if it puts an end to the scandalous theft of benefits by people like the man on the attached story.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/ 5223564.stm