Police Cuts

Originally Posted by Quedos

Working with the police and listening to them - its the paperwork that needs cut down and judges that actually see cases for what they are.
I'm a believer in life = life and hard labour. Community service meaning giving back to the community and public humilation for all the young and first time offenders.
The police have a hard enough time as it is and no one is there to replace them.

( tho ours failed the intelligence test when faced with the door entry system last night - twas funny)

whilst I agree with the theory of community service, they need to sort it out a bit. At the moment it's hardly "hard labour". That's against health and safety. They have been known to do things like flower arranging and stuff. Why can't they be out picking up litter from side of the road? Or cleaning up graffiti or cleaning pavements and things?

Also, it's too easy for folk sentenced to it to just not turn up and then get a slap on the wrist....

Originally Posted by ravingdavis

No I have not.

The 'dole culture' is already being addressed. Whether or not it's enough or successful is a different argument.

"Dole Culture" is a bit of a mismomer, it should be "Disability" culture instead, get yourself on high level DLA and you're set for life, free house, free car etc. Whilst no right thinking person would deny the genuine disabled the chance to live a normal life, there are far too many claiming disability that there is relatively bugger all wrong with, I know plenty of them personally.

Personally, I would do away with giving cash for benefits and give vouchers instead, I work beside a bookies and an offies and the place is full of those with nothing to do and all day to do it.

And another thing, here in NI we were forced to give the most experienced police forced redundancy and recruit new officers based on religion, a great many applicants were excluded on the basis of where they went on a sunday and many people joined purely as a career move, the fact that the "Top Brass" of the PSNI are originally from other forces and have little experience of the unique policing situation we have here, whilst perfectly capable and experienced officers were pensioned off, says it all.

This ain't an anti cop rant, as most do their best, but they are hamstrung by political correctness and inadequate leadership.

Solution to it all (inc many flaws in my logic).
Sign every 16yr old and above up to forced employment, from litter picking to local council restoration work - painting bollards etc.

I literally mean everyone is put on a form of register for work but then certain things classify you as exempt.
Current full time employment = Exempt
Current full time education = Exempt
Current part time eductation PLUS part time employment = Exempt
Current registered carer = Exempt
Current registered disabled = Exempt

Im sure there would need to be other exemptions that I've not considered but for now at least if you're not covered in the above catagories then you must attend this forced labour. Not only that but failure to do so means no money for that month. If you're scheduled to attend and are able to prove you're unsuitable for work for what ever reason then fair enough you'll get your benifits but if you're unable to provide a vailid reason for failure to attend then this failure to comply means failure to get paid. Your loss, no exceptions.

In my idealogical mind this works 2 fold, Part one is it flushes out all the "dole dossers" as they've been refered in this thread. Then Part 2 is it should reduce the amount of litter/damage caused in the first place as IMO the very people who are currently causing the mess will with this solution be the ones cleaning it up. It'll force people into having a little local pride if they fear it may well be them who are cleaning it up the following day.

Of course you may be thinking, but those who then dont attend and dont get paid will then resort to crime to get money... The punishment for lesser crimes becomes more substantial work in other areas of the country for a short period where visitation and socialisation rights are denied. Think a sort of chain gang style where you're monitored, oh and you dont get paid for that either, again no exceptions.

Originally Posted by Owenski

Solution to it all (inc many flaws in my logic).
Sign every 16yr old and above up to forced employment, from litter picking to local council restoration work - painting bollards etc.

I think community employment is a good idea but it should not be forced. If you are in a position where you need to collect benefits then you should spend 5 hours a day working and then 3 hours a day in 'class' looking for jobs and being trained for interviews etc.

If you are in a position where you don't need to work in order to live then the forced labour thing is wrong.

An option of National Service for "Community Employment" sounds like a plan. Although I have to say this is sounding a little Austrian Dictator. Where do you draw the line with forced anything.

Originally Posted by Peachey

An option of National Service for "Community Employment" sounds like a plan. Although I have to say this is sounding a little Austrian Dictator. Where do you draw the line with forced anything.

I don't agree with National Service and I think you will find a lot of our serving soldiers feel the same, we have a professional army and that does not need diluting with people who do not really want to be there.

It would not be forced anyway, the current system is fundamentally flawed. People get money for doing absolutely nothing. If they want the dole money they should work for it. Most of us have to work for our money, that is not considered forced.

Originally Posted by ravingdavis

I think community employment is a good idea but it should not be forced. If you are in a position where you need to collect benefits then you should spend 5 hours a day working and then 3 hours a day in 'class' looking for jobs and being trained for interviews etc.

If you are in a position where you don't need to work in order to live then the forced labour thing is wrong.

If you dont force it then no one will show up, Its genious in its simplicity everyone is registed to do this work but with valid circumstance then you'll be exempt. Hoever if you fail to attend and fail to provide evidence justifiying that failure to attend then you get diddly squat.

Originally Posted by Peachey

An option of National Service for "Community Employment" sounds like a plan. Although I have to say this is sounding a little Austrian Dictator. Where do you draw the line with forced anything.

I suspected most people would draw that similarity tbf, but IMO and by the tone of most other posts this country is far too soft. A harder line must be taken if we're to resolve the state its currently in.

The idea been that no-one would aim for or choose to live with the forced labour, this would encourage those who could work properly to actually go out and get a job where they'd earn more money than doing the dog poo work involved with forced labour.

Originally Posted by ravingdavis

I don't agree with National Service and I think you will find a lot of our serving soldiers feel the same, we have a professional army and that does not need diluting with people who do not really want to be there.

I never thought of national service that way, good enlightenment

Originally Posted by Owenski

If you dont force it then no one will show up, Its genious in its simplicity everyone is registed to do this work but with valid circumstance then you'll be exempt. Hoever if you fail to attend and fail to provide evidence justifiying that failure to attend then you get diddly squat.

I think perhaps I was not clear.

If you wish to collect dole money then you work for it, if you do not turn up you do not get money. People should not get something for nothing, too many people in this country believe that the state owes them a living or a quality of life... It does not, you have to work hard and earn it.

Having everyone on a register for forced labour is a little '1930s Russia' for my liking