Key 'out of touch' over hungry kids

[mashman]

Shearer: "I hear people argue that this is the responsibility of parents. We can debate that endlessly but it won't change this reality: tomorrow morning kids will still turn up to school hungry,". Reality

Key: "not every school wants every child to be provided a lunch". Ignoring reality.

Why should society "catch" kids that aren't being looked after by their parents? Coz it's the right thing to do.

[Akzle]

sell the kids and drug test the teachers!

[MisterD]

Why should society "catch" kids that aren't being looked after by their parents? Coz it's the right thing to do.

No, it's not, because the day after this is implemented the number of kids not provided with breakfast by their parents will immediately quadruple.

Typical Labour solution though, increase dependency on the state handouts again and secure that client voter base.

[oneofsix]

No, it's not, because the day after this is implemented the number of kids not provided with breakfast by their parents will immediately quadruple.

This is where the original society needs to return. Yes support the kids, show them there is more and better life but make it painful/shameful for the parents that chose not to provide for their kids whilst assisting those parents that have fallen on hard times but want better for their kids. The old fashioned village way.

Typical Labour solution though, increase dependency on the state handouts again and secure that client voter base.

Big deal all the major parties do this and even some of the really minor ones.

[JimO]

Why should society "catch" kids that aren't being looked after by their parents? Coz it's the right thing to do.

possibly but society should also be asking the "parents" why arnt they feeding "their" children, parents who's children turn up to school hungry need to be looked at by CYFS as they are abusing their kids, perhaps they wont mind $20 a week being deducted from their benefit to go to the school

[HenryDorsetCase]

let them die.

problem solved. then sterilise the parents.

anyone not owning property shouldnt be allowed to vote.

bring back the cane.

outlaw the treaty!

nuclear power!

[Daffyd]

I can't help wondering how many of these so-called "hungry" children go home to watch sky TV or play on an X-box.

These do-gooders and complainers should come to the Philippines and see for themselves what REAL poverty is!

[imdying]

The old fashioned village way.

That's simply not true. It was far more bathed in nepotism than your post suggests.

[Swoop]

Typical Labour solution though, increase dependency on the state handouts again and secure that client voter base.

I noted on mr Shearer's tv interview yesterday, that his two schemes would potentially cost a quick 50 million.

Is there a specific mould that labour leaders come out of? Oops. Shouldn't have referred to him as a "leader" since he appears to be a stand-in until a genuine one arrives.

[oneofsix]

I can't help wondering how many of these so-called "hungry" children go home to watch sky TV or play on an X-box.

These do-gooders and complainers should come to the Philippines and see for themselves what REAL poverty is!

The do-gooders know what real poverty is. That tv if it exists is likely to be shared amongst ten others from multiple families and most likely bought with welfare money, tv's to keep the kids off the street have always been high on the welfare dept list of must haves, some times ahead of washing machines etc.
The do-gooders also know that places like the Philippines have extreme poverty and extreme wealth. NZ didn't used to have these extremes but we are moving more and more towards them. It was a much better society with less crime when it was more equal. Now we have companies importing workers from overseas to force NZ wages down to increase wealth for people who have more than they know what to do with.

As a condition of their work visas, workers sponsored by an employer can stay in New Zealand on the provision they remain in that job and could have to leave the country if they lose or leave it. That meant sponsored workers were less likely to agitate for better wages and conditions because they were dependent on the goodwill of their employers, Roche said. It also pushed down pay rates across the board

[yungatart]

For the past few weeks I have been transporting a student to school, a student who would otherwise not be in school. He is type 1 diabetic. Sometimes he didn't have lunch, or it was nowhere near enough food for a teenager.

He was told to come and see me and I would organise food for him, soup, cheese and crackers, toast and peanut butter, 2 min noodles and fruit were on offer. He never saw me, not once, he would rather go hungry than eat what we offered. Sometimes he scored a pie and a coke from the office lady, cos she felt sorry for him, but often he went hungry.

His mum is on DPB. She has no car. There were always beer and wine bottles in her recycling and Hell's pizza boxes...I'd like to be that poor, that I could afford Hell's Pizza delivered. Oh yes, they have Sky too!

Trouble is, I'm white and middle class....

[oneofsix]

For the past few weeks I have been transporting a student to school, a student who would otherwise not be in school. He is type 1 diabetic. Sometimes he didn't have lunch, or it was nowhere near enough food for a teenager.

He was told to come and see me and I would organise food for him, soup, cheese and crackers, toast and peanut butter, 2 min noodles and fruit were on offer. He never saw me, not once, he would rather go hungry than eat what we offered. Sometimes he scored a pie and a coke from the office lady, cos she felt sorry for him, but often he went hungry.

His mum is on DPB. She has no car. There were always beer and wine bottles in her recycling and Hell's pizza boxes...I'd like to be that poor, that I could afford Hell's Pizza delivered. Oh yes, they have Sky too!

Trouble is, I'm white and middle class....

Sad story and this is an example of where the kids need the support and the parent(s) need to feel the shame. The shame is it is the kid that feels the shame.

But isn't one of the brewers the mother is support one of NZ's richest but lets not cut down the booze in dairies and supermarkets. She could very well have an alcoholic addiction that requires treatment but instead of supporting treating her she will find plenty to support her continued boozing and condemn her. If she is just a waster then this is where the social stigma has been lost.

[Maha]

For the past few weeks I have been transporting a student to school, a student who would otherwise not be in school. He is type 1 diabetic. Sometimes he didn't have lunch, or it was nowhere near enough food for a teenager.

He was told to come and see me and I would organise food for him, soup, cheese and crackers, toast and peanut butter, 2 min noodles and fruit were on offer. He never saw me, not once, he would rather go hungry than eat what we offered. Sometimes he scored a pie and a coke from the office lady, cos she felt sorry for him, but often he went hungry.

His mum is on DPB. She has no car. There were always beer and wine bottles in her recycling and Hell's pizza boxes...I'd like to be that poor, that I could afford Hell's Pizza delivered. Oh yes, they have Sky too!

Trouble is, I'm white and middle class....

Very true Janet, mid 90's, I was working in the 'slum' part of Rotorua...(under contract not by choice) and one -3 frosty morning, a father kicked his little boys arse out the door, kid had no shoes on/shorts and shirt...he was crying, had not had breakfast, but thats ok because they feed the kids at the primary school right?..moments later, father/mother sat at the table and got the weed out (this is around 8:30am) and asked if I care if they have a smoke?...I said nup, packed my tools up and left..I saw that shit almost on a daily basis for the six months of that contract, it did my head in. I did not go back for more when asked...fuck em.

That little boy will be in his early 20's.. hope he chose not to continue with the trend...one can only hope.

[oneofsix]

Very true Janet, mid 90's, I was working in the 'slum' part of Rotorua...(under contract not by choice) and one -3 frosty morning, a father kicked his little boys arse out the door, kid had no shoes on/shorts and shirt...he was crying, had not had breakfast, but thats ok because they feed the kids at the primary school right?..moments later, father/mother sat at the table and got the weed out (this is around 8:30am) and asked if I care if they have a smoke?...I said nup, packed my tools up and left..I saw that shit almost on a daily basis for the six months of that contract, it did my head in. I did not go back for more when asked...fuck em.

That little boy will be in his early 20's.. hope he chose not to continue with the trend...one can only hope.

Would they scream if they were threatened with losing the kids?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Would they scream if they were threatened with losing the kids?

only to the extent that the benny would be cut accordingly.


Only the deserving poor deserve our assistance.