The Big Society

[poliphilo]

 As far as I can make out the Big Society is about persuading hundreds of thousands of citizens- who haven't volunteered before- to leave their tellys and X boxes and get out and take up the burden of care that has hitherto been shouldered by the state. They are expected to do this for no more incentive than the encouragement and smiling benison of the PM- and at a time when existing charities are being starved of funds and driven to the wall. I'm trying to keep the cynicism out of my voice- because who can be opposed to volunteers and volunteering?- but this is the politics of sixth form debate.

A viable social policy needs to be driven by something rather more substantial than a belief in miracles...

Comments

[glitzfrau.livejournal.com]

I can only say: word.

[ron-broxted.livejournal.com]

B.S Big Society. Bull Shit.

[loxian.livejournal.com]

too angry to make coherent comment

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Sounds like your Govt is taking clues from the Reagan/Bush fiasco.

[calizen.livejournal.com]

And our Tea-Partyers.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

They're conservatives. They believe in shrinking the state.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

What I keep wondering is how all these volunteers are supposed to make a living. If you're in full-time work, then you don't have much time for volunteering and you only have evenings and weekends free. Whose going to do things during the day?

Or are they planning to sack all the public sector workers and then expect them to do their old jobs for nothing while they're on the dole?

I really don't know what planet the present government are on. :(

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Planet Eton, I believe...

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

I believe that Eddie Mair on Radio 4 asked Francis Maude yesterday what he volunteered at... cue much flusterisation, because obviously, they mean the rest of us layabouts who do nothing all day, not important people.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Why am I not surprised?

[cluegirl.livejournal.com]

And ironically enough, the same notion of charitable foundations shouldering the medical and social needs of the hoi polloi appears to be the core justification of the far right in its methodical kneecapping of every trace of US social service funding. Well, say they, the Government's no good at this anyway, it should all be privately done, and the Government should keep out of it.

And I look at them, shake my head, and have to fight not to knock the Ayn Rand off their shoulders with a copy of the OED, open to the definition of "Capitalism".

Because unless you're stealing from it? Charity does not turn a profit.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

This country has wonderful public services- and our present government- using the deficit as an excuse- is intent on trashing them.

savor hospitality

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