Poverty

**Lou Girardin** · 12th July 2006, 08:32

Yet another survey has just been released.
Maori and Pacific Island poverty has increased enormously between 2000 and 2004.
During Labours watch funnily enough.
But what got my attention was the policy wonk from the Ministry of Social Developement blaming this on ' multiple family impacts', namely divorce, death and the usual tragedies that occur to people.
He went on to say that people can handle one or two of these at a time, but when they have seven or eight it has a serious affect on their economic well-being.
No shit, Sherlock!
The really worrying thing is these tens of thousands of people that are having so many of these 'multiple family impacts'.
No wonder councilling is such a growth industry.
I always thought poverty was only having a Playstation 1.

**Motu** · 12th July 2006, 08:40

No,it's only having a Serena van when you really need a Pajero to handle the weight....

**Finn** · 12th July 2006, 08:42

Poverty is mostly a lifestyle choice in NZ. They get enough money from us, it's just the way they spend it is the problem.

That's all I have to say on the subject.

**frogfeaturesFZR** · 12th July 2006, 08:44

Have you guys noticed common sense has been replaced ? Now somethings only for real if a study or poll has proved it. Reading through that list in the herald anyone with 1/4 a brain can see the events listed are life altering things. And we need a study to tell us this ???

**scumdog** · 12th July 2006, 08:48

Povert in NZ means having enough for a PS2, a $9,999 vehicle, booze and a fancy cellphone but don't have enough for frivolities like food, kids clothes and stuff like that.

Just from what I've seen.

**MSTRS:Me** · 12th July 2006, 08:48

And any idiot can work out that if you give someone enough fish, there is even less reason for them to want to catch their own.

**scumdog** · 12th July 2006, 08:51

Originally Posted by MSTRS

And any idiot can work out that if you give someone enough fish, there is even less reason for them to want to catch their own.

And if you GIVE them the fish as opposed to making them WORK for the fish they will probably be less gratefull and appreciative of said fish and use them less wisely.

But maybe I'm a tad cynical.

**DMNTD:Me** · 12th July 2006, 08:56

Originally Posted by Finn

Poverty is mostly a lifestyle choice in NZ. They get enough money from us, it's just the way they spend it is the problem.

I concur...it IS a choice!

Originally Posted by MSTRS

...any idiot can work out that if you give someone enough fish, there is even less reason for them to want to catch their own.

Whoa that's deep man...and so very true too!

**Str8 Jacket** · 12th July 2006, 08:58

Originally Posted by Finn

Poverty is mostly a lifestyle choice in NZ. They get enough money from us, it's just the way they spend it is the problem.

That's all I have to say on the subject.

As much as it pains me to say it, Finn is right... Even the "homeless" usually collect some type of benefit.

**dhunt** · 12th July 2006, 08:58

Originally Posted by scumdog

And if you GIVE them the fish as opposed to making them WORK for the fish they will probably be less gratefull and appreciative of said fish and use them less wisely.

But maybe I'm a tad cynical.

Yip I totally agree with you.

I think a lot of is too lazy to actually do anything to help themselves while they are getting free handouts. Some people can actually earn more money doing nothing than actually doing some real work.

Another issue that comes with getting handouts is loss of self respect as dependent on other people. Then again our government is trying to make everyone dependent on them so that we can't survive without Uncle Helen.

If they made it much harder to get benifits or actually make you do work for your benefit I think the difference would be huge.

**Quasievil** · 12th July 2006, 09:02

There is no Poverty in New Zealand.....none, what we do have is a great deal of reliant people, people who depend on the huge industry we have set up to support them, Social welfare industry is the root cause of a great deal of our social problems, it is also responsible for our crap government as the huge number of reliant people always vote left, hence we have a handbraked economy. If you dont work, you dont vote in my opinion

**madboy** · 12th July 2006, 09:04

From personal experience, I took a paycut in real terms to go off the DPB and go back to work. Thank God I didn't stay on that salary for long! I was an educated, experienced and motivated worker. Imagine how it must be for those people who have none or only some of those three qualities?

Hmm... do I sit on my ass and watch my big screen TV all day while my kid/s run riot, or do I go to work at [insert generic low-mid paying job here]??

It's a choice. Scumdog, MSTRS and Finn's comments deserve better than green rep.

**Swoop** · 12th July 2006, 09:08

There, there... uncle heilen will make it better!
Here, have some more handouts of taxpayers money, and off to the pub/TAB you go! Don't forget to get some takeaways on your way home!