The return of the hang 'em and flog 'em brigade!

[Audley Strange]

The coming bird flu pandemic will create loads of work for the survivors and make housing more affordable.

To which I always reply...

[Coito ergo sum]

Sure, but that's the problem with the compulsion part. If a person doesn't want to work, it's reasonable not to pay that person, but is it ever reasonable to say "no no - you MUST work?" For all anyone else cares, does it matter of John Smith would rather slack than work?

Why do you think "doesn't want to work" is the only scenario?

Where did I state or imply that it was the only scenario. Some people will want to do it, and others won't. Would you advocate forcing the people who don't want to, to do so?

You're stuck on that scenario, that's why I asked.

You said you had no problem forcing people to work. If people want to do the work, then they're not being forced.

I have no problem forcing people to earn their money. I do have a problem with cutting people off from aid when they can't work.

Err, no, I'm not stuck anywhere. You keep saying how much in favor you are of "forcing" people to work. That's why I asked in the first place.

If I understand your last sentence right - you have no problem with people having to work if they want to get money from the government, but that you would make exception for people who can't, for one reason or another, perform work. If I understand you right, then we are in agreement.

If you hold to a position that someone who is capable of working, but declines, ought to be forced to work, then I would oppose that. I wouldn't support paying that person if they opt not to work, of course.

[Coito ergo sum]

Personally I would raise the Minimum wage to the living wage

What is that?

[Coito ergo sum]

The coming bird flu pandemic will create loads of work for the survivors and make housing more affordable.

The coming flu may be more porcine than avian. http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/201 ... flu-strain

[Jesus_of_Nazareth]

Personally I would raise the Minimum wage to the living wage

What is that?

For UK....

In London the current Living Wage is £8.30 per hour.
Outside of London the current rate is £7.20.

"A living wage is the minimum hourly income necessary for a worker to meet basic needs (for an extended period of time or for a lifetime). These needs include shelter (housing) and other incidentals such as clothing and nutrition. In some nations such as the United Kingdom and Switzerland, this standard generally means that a person working forty hours a week, with no additional income, should be able to afford a specified quality or quantity of housing, food, utilities, transport, health care, and recreation"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_wage


"There are different levels of National Mimimum Wage depending on age and whether an apprentice. The current rates (from 1 October 2011) are:

•£6.08 - the main rate for workers aged 21 and over
•£4.98 - the 18-20 rate
•£3.68 - the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18
•£2.60 - the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship"

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... G_10027201

The above are (of course) topped up by the State - so it's really a State subsidy to business.......other more efficient ways to do that, rather than maintaining a whole expensive Govt System to move money between Peter and Paul.

On many things I am slightly to the right of Adolf Hitler. or Maggie T - so don't mistake the above for Socialism!