My views could be described as liberal but I actually think it is more human to try and look after those who need it most. Within the past few days the House of Lords has held up the bill to kill tax credits which could only have penalised those who are trying to work and contribute to the economy but still in a poor financial situation. In short, rather than helping families climb up the cliff face, our government wants to kick them down. There will be some fans of the Conservatives who will consider that unfair but when there is no support harness yet in place - that is the blunt truth.
Let's examine the reviews and assessments that were outsourced to see who could be taken off the 'Disability Living Allowance'. In theory, I'm not against the idea. Those who can work, in some capacity, are given the support and guidance to get them into employment of some sort. However, in practice, those who could not prove they were disabled enough, including people with mental health issues, were left for dead with little or no practical or financial support. How many people died because they were abandoned in the £12billion of cuts announced in Summer 2015? We do not know. Despite over 250,000 people signing a petition we still do not know how many people died yet we do know for previous years and that data does show at least some correlation between financial abandonment and suicide. That is not surprising. What is surprising is that a humane and caring government does not want to admit it is leaving people to die. I am sure there were some people using the system, even if in a slight way, but that does not condone slaughtering our fellow countrymen and woman who need your help.
I write this because I am scared we are forgetting our humanity. Last night, someone called me asking for my support as they were being admitted to hospital. I did not think I should stay in bed and protect my assets. I did not think that one life is insignificant and that I should get my sleep for greater good. Compare my analogy to the behaviour above and I appear to be a liberal but under our clothes we are all naked. We are a nude. We all have the same bits and bobs. We are all human.
Read more from Matt on his blog: www.MattStreuli.UK
Another analogy; You are Captain of a ship. Your crew received a distress signal from a cargo vessel but it is within enemy waters. The ship will only hold for another few minutes. Do you violate a peace treaty by going to help? Could this be a decoy and enemy ships hidden ready to attack?
The correct response, the human response to the 'Kobayashi Maru' scenario is to go and help. However the response of the Conservatives in the House of Commons appears to be "we'd love to help but we like peace and don't want to pay for a new ship".
That is inhumane. Treating people differently because their illness is not an obvious physical one but perhaps a mental health one or because they are not as wealthy as you is disgusting. What baffles me, is that we already know this.
Look at the below quotes.
If we summarise them, it all boils down to "Give a little love and it all comes back to you".
If someone asks for help, you help. We all understand there is a time, a place and a limit you can help without burning yourself out but you cannot ignore the call.
You want your customers treated well so they spend more? Treat your staff well, keep moral high and they will pass that love on.
Do your best to prevent people from exploiting your help? Yes. Make sure you help as many as you can in a effective way? Yes! But do not abandon those who have tried. I am scared that is what will happen to myself and those who are worse off; George doesn't think we matter and so we will be left to die. In my last post I explained that I have already tried to kill myself once - do I really have to die to make things change?
Or will my death just be another hidden statistic?
Before I close this article, I just wanted to highlight how you can support those in need without breaking the bank. Get involved with your community. Whether it is a scouts or the school PTA or even follow my lead and be the Chairman of a not-for-profit community group by wearing a pantomime Dame outfit there are so many easy ways you can support you local area and give a little love.
We continue to offer the cheapest 'amdram' membership and pantomime prices in the region as we are committed to supporting and entertaining the whole community.
Believe me, it is better to help a little now than complain that those in poverty are increasing the crime rate or clogging the streets in years to come.
Matt Streuli hosts a radio show on Southwaves Radio every Thursday night at 8pm. He is on Twitter and Tumblr. Read more from Matt on his blog: www.MattStreuli.UK
Matt Streuli appears in pantomime this January in Iver Heath, South Buckinghamshire. Tickets start at £6.00 and can be booked at www.ihdc.co.uk