Scope's reply to the governments planned concessions to the green paper.

I remember my reading about the Afro-American / Black civil and human rights struggle in the USA.

I cannot remember who said it, it might have been MLK, or his colleagues in the struggle.

But the very valid point was made.

If we can be joyous in the struggle against racism, or any oppression, not hate our oppressors, not to have enemies, and to not let our hearts be penetrated by the darts of hatred and bitterness, if we can rise up to this high, moral and spiritual ground in our political quests for freedom, we are much more likely to win equality and compassion.

Now that development of peace of mind, joy in the struggle, cogency, for anger destroys Spock logicality, and clear thinking, is not easy.

However it is very worthwhile, if we use baby steps to gradually reach that high and deep level of of effective struggle. Use your own techniques, methods, or non methods, of other religions or none, secularity, if you want to research mindful techniques/ mindfulness in struggles for equality, then just Google the latter.

BUT whatever you do do not beat yourself up, if you cannot reach such a high level, yet.

It takes times. I can but I am not better than others at all. I have 26 years of Buddhist practices. There is no pint in more suffering with feeling inadequate, guilty anxious and stupid, or even suicidal. And I still have the latter feelings they just gradually get less and less.

Be very tender with yourselves, your sufferings are valid inthat there is a reason for everything (karm/cause and effect). Lok after yourselves. And look after others too. We all need compassion even our 'enemies' who also suffer from unethical social conditionings too, and of course it does not mean prejudice is OK, it just means we absolutely refuse to respond with hatred, attacks, bitterness, because hatred does no work, and hatred poisons the soul destroying joy and happiness?

Joy

Let us live in joy

 in hope even amongst the despairing.

Let us live in creativity.

 in flexibility even amongst the cynical.

Let us live in freedom

in wider visions of compassion even amongst those in the prison of despair.

Let us live in determination

in clarity even amongst the hopeless and depression.

Let us live in truth amongst those who lie and deceive.

Let us live in kindness, in a world that can be so cruel.

And yet so wonderful too.

Let us see the best things in life, not the worst and depressing.

Let us all be a united human spirit for inner peace and world peace.

Let us be unstoppable in our love, inspiration and compassion.

Let everyone be generous, the best in themselves, and forever growing.

Let opportunity for compassion and wisdom be given a chance.

Let joy and peace reign, be nurtured by the friendship, even of strangers.

Let there be joy, less suffering, let there be ecstasy, calm as a placid lake, or sea.

Let there be joy, more joy, increased joy.

Let there be nirvana.

Let there be Bliss, Sugata, let there be Joy.

© Milan Ghosh.

Are you including the high number of tax payers who cheat the system or use loopholes? Or do you believe all tax payers are honest and beyond reproach?

I keep hearing in the media of the government doing a U-turn on benefits. Surely a U-turn would be scrapping the plans?

These paltry concessions hardly seem like a U-turn to me. Looks like they're still going full steam ahead for the most part.

I agree with MW123 above quoted, here:

This isn’t genuine protection, it’s a delay, designed to defuse opposition while quietly embedding long term cuts. Once the Bill is passed, any future amendments to PIP criteria will have to work within its framework, not challenge it. If the Bill is halted, there’s still a chance to shape the entire package properly.

We need to not miss our chance, our precious opportunity to ask our MPs to

vote against even the 'concessions', before Tuesday vote in Parliament.Google to ''findyourMP'''if you don't know who your MP is

I agree with Secretsquirrel1

I don’t understand after this almost brought the government down ( may be a bit dramatic here) how they would trick the MPs who started the amendment. Surely the 126 rebels are all stupid ? Not that I trust the Labour government at all but look at the backlash . And regarding the two tier system, it shows that the rebels were only interested in saving their seats with the current claimants. They aren’t interested in the future claimants as right now the voters who are healthy are not thought to be interested in pip at the moment. Obviously that doesn’t include those on DLA or children. But that seems to be their thinking, including Meg hillier . IMO

, who is definitely not nuts, but maybe a nut-nibbler, no sarcasm intended only a bit of DAFT humour/ joy.

So please write to your MPs, SS's comment is very preceptive and acute. We need to counter the possible conspiracy she has identified.

Google ''findyourMP''

Many thanks.

PS

You owe it to yourselves to write, yet again, to your MPs.

I mostly agree with Thirty Sixteen who said:

In an ideal world I’d agree with you, I would. The likes of Shell, BP and big pharma could and should be paying more taxes. That in itself would be a massive financial relief for the country.

But when these companies use the loopholes like basing their businesses abroad they escape the taxes.

Not to mention all the back handers. But let’s not go there.

The sad fact is, we are a small island who is grossly overpopulated. Overpopulated with many many people who take rather than contribute to the system.

Labour aren’t Labour anymore, they’re Champaign socialists.

Governments will always make the rich richer while the poor get poorer.

Unfortunately what’s on offer in way of the amendment is pretty much the best we can hope for.

I DONT agree with the last paragraph - it IS up to us to ask our MPs to pressure the govt to tax the rich more.

I am an eternal optimist, and optimism makes it much more likely that people protest in huge numbers, and win compassion for all, including social justice.

U R going to get bored with my requests to write to your MP, but we need to don't we.

It's in the Govt's Green Paper @Ranald

The proposed changes to the CB ESA & JSA are at least being consulted upon in this paper. Please see the following from section 151 onwards. You can either respond to this & the few other bits that are actually open to consultation, or email in a reply. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper#section-1--what-the-reformed-system-will-look-like

It's said right at the end of the paper,

Please email consultation.pathwaystowork@dwp .gov.uk

if:

• you would like to respond via email, or
• you have any other enquiries specifically relating to this consultation

there’s nothing in the news just yet. It’s on the pathways to work:

151. We are consulting on creating a new Unemployment Insurance for those that have made National Insurance contributions. This would mean people receive the income they need alongside the right employment support to get back into work. The welfare system was founded upon the contributory principle – the idea of ‘something-for-something’. Contributory benefits are a form of non-means tested support for those who experience unemployment. Currently, New Style Employment and Support Allowance (NS ESA) and New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (NS JSA) provide support for those who have recently become unemployed. To qualify for these benefits, 2 to 3 years’ worth of National Insurance credits must have been paid or credited prior to the date of a person’s claim. NS ESA supports individuals whose ability to work is restricted due to a disability or health condition. NS ESA relies on the WCA to determine eligibility. After the WCA, NS ESA places people in either a work-related activity group or a support group, which determines how much work preparation activity they are required to do and how long they are able to access the benefit. NS JSAalso supports unemployed individuals, or those working on average less than 16 hours a week, but it does not have a health-related requirement. People receiving NS JSA are expected to be actively searching for work and are able to access the benefit for up to 6 months.

152. Under the reformed system, we are consulting on replacing NS ESA and NS JSAwith one new Unemployment Insurance benefit. The rate of financial support would be set at the current higher rate of NS ESA. The benefit would not require a health assessment and would be based on an individual’s National Insurance record as is currently the case.[footnote 84] Individuals, such as those with long term health conditions, would also be able to claim other relevant benefits where eligible.

final suggestions won’t be known until white paper is published.

Yes, I totally agree why hit people like us it's disgusting! I suffer with bipolar disorder unfortunately. It's 80 percent genetic and 20 percent environmental. I have been in and out of jobs all my life, but somehow I have managed to work for 22 years in paid employment, as I had a mortgage with my ex husband you see. Bipolar people are above average intelligence and I own and run my own teaching languages business. I speak 4 different languages, French, Spanish, British sign language and of course I am a English native speaker. Catherine zeta Jones, Stephen fry, Mariah carey all have bipolar disorder and its known as the genius disease and I love being pure genius!!

So it might not see the light of day. I see no point in worrying about what might not even come to pass.