Responsibility

Let me quote from a letter that was sent into a newspaper:

'This is the tale of two youngsters whom are well known to me.

The first gained nine GCSE passes and completed a plumbing and heating apprenticeship, qualifying as a heating engineer in 2009. finding no employment, he decided to start his own business. Yet despite trying to quote work with very small margins, he's constantly undercut by 'plumbers' from Eastern Europe and by others who, after a two week plumbing course, claim to be qualified and experienced. If he weren't still living at home, he wouldn't survive.

In the last quarter of 2011, every penny he earned went on overheads - diesel, van tax, insurance, regulatory body fees and other necessary expenses. He made no profit and had to resort to making Christmas presents for his loved ones as he had no money. Buying his own home is impossible - he can't even afford to rent.

Then there's a young woman of the same age who failed at school and has relied on state benefits ever since. She has two children from two different fathers, neither of whom is prepared to marry her. Even if they did, it wouldn't help as neither seems interested in working.

This young woman has been given a three bedroom house with a new bathroom and kitchen, and is never concerned about where her next meal is coming from. she has no incentive to find employment.

Both youngsters began with similar opportunities, in the same neighbourhood with comparable education. One did the right thing, the other didn't.

The one who chose the right path has received nothing; the other has been propped up by our tax money and, oddly, is showered with sympathy and support by her family who see her 'plight' as a result of the system'.

When the welfare state was set up, it was set up as a safety net to catch those who got into difficulty. Now we have a system which is a safety blanket which says you need do nothing to help yourself from the cradle to the grave.

I know for many people the thought of being on benefits is dreadful; there are many who would love to work but cannot, either because there are no jobs or are physically unable to. But there is a percentage of people living in this country who have never worked and have no intention of working, they see it as their god given right to money a house and all the other benefits that come with living in this country.

Someone once said 'with rights come responsibility', and I truly believe this. I know there are many people who end up in situations that they wished they weren't in. There are single mothers whose partner has left them and it isn't their fault. But what I find with many who do not work or make any effort to work is, they are simply too lazy and do not see that they should have to work. Why should they? They are not going to starve or go homeless, so what does it matter?

About a year ago myself and another chap helped move a single mother with two children from a perfectly good two bedroom house to an even better three bedroom house. We did this as part of a charity to help vulnerable people, at no point did she lift a hand to help us, or offer us a cup of tea, and when we had finished she did not even thank us. She was not mentally unstable or for that fact did she seem that vulnerable, she had a boyfriend who seemed like a good man who has a good job. This lady, to put it bluntly was miserable, she complained about social services, even though she had a lady from social services who came in and helped her.

I could give at least half a dozen similar examples of situations like this, and this sums up much of what is wrong with our society. The phrase 'nanny state' has been used to describe the government and how it tries to involve itself in every area of our lives. Some people see this as a good thing, I do not!

Today a news story came out stating that rickets in on the rise in this country; this disease, which is seen as a disease of the poor which basically effects bone strength and is caused by a lack of vitamin D. A lady from some organisation was speaking on the news saying 'the government should be doing something about this', and I thought why should government be doing something about this? Why can't people take responsibility for themselves and their own families?

As a parent I want my children to grow up as well rounded individuals, and eventually I will want them to leave my home and make their own way in life. As they are young, I will instill in them; good values, protect them, feed them, provide for their needs and make sure they are safe. But when they get to a certain age I want them to take responsibility for themselves and their families. I hope they grow up healthy and do well, I hope they get a good job, and do well in life, ultimately I want them to be happy.

For many this way of thinking is alien, they expect to be treated as children all their lives. They expect the government to; feed, cloth, house them and to provide their every need. The government has become, in essence a parent to so many people. As a parent I will always help my children if they need it, I will always be there if they get into trouble, but at some point they will have to take responsibility for themselves. I will encourage that, and that is the behaviour of responsible and good parent. The government is not acting in a good and responsible way, and until they stop treating people like children they are never going to change and take responsibility for their own lives.