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Private wealth and public squalor

(204 Posts)
whitewave Wed 01-Nov-17 19:29:47

We have Galbraith to thank for this theory, and I think that far from being a theory of the past it is so apt for what is happening in this country.

I am watching the BBC programme about the super rich.

Today I have also seen on a report about people resorting to living in vans and caravans because they cannot afford anywhere else to live.
Our young are struggling.

The cuts have resulted in poorer welfare system, a struggling NHS, pot holes in the roads, and so on.

Today I visited Wells and in the Cathedral precinct there were homeless people begging -shame on the church. And don’t say the homeless have always been with us.When we were growing up we had tramps who we almost knew by sight as they were so unusual.

Food banks ?

Whilst we have just been told that the super rich wealth rose from an average of 2bn to 5bn within two years of the recession. Their wealth has continued to grow to the extent that now the top 1% own more than everyone else. Marx said that wealth will always become concentrated at the top, but for many years he seemed to be wrong, I wonder if he is so wrong now?

And no I’m not envious, just demanding fairness.

durhamjen Mon 18-Dec-17 19:26:44

Jalima, I was querying lemon's statement that most homeless are drug users. There are no statistics that prove it.
Lemon has not given any proof of that assertion.

Jalima1108 Mon 18-Dec-17 19:54:08

Are you saying that a student's thesis is not accurate?
Probably more accurate than some other research!
Yes, I know it is old too - it was written when Labour were in power.

Perhaps you have a link to more modern statistics which may state that the percentage of substance-related homelessness is now much lower.

Jalima1108 Mon 18-Dec-17 19:59:40

It is believed that about 38% of homeless people abuse alcohol while 26% regularly use other drugs. These statistics show that substance abuse among this group is significantly higher than the general population.
38% - 26% = 64%

^73% of homeless people reported physical health problems. 41% said this was a long term problem.
80% of respondents reported some form of mental health issue, 45% had been diagnosed with a mental health issue.
39% said they take drugs or are recovering from a drug problem, while 27% have or are recovering from an alcohol problem.^

So around 65% which is quite a high proportion.
But, as I said earlier, is that a cause or is it an effect?

durhamjen Mon 18-Dec-17 20:03:06

That's what I've said - the government doesn't collect statistics on homelessness and drug usage. They specifically do not use homeless people in their drug research. It says so.

JRF say 44% of homeless in their research are drug users, having used drugs at least once in the previous month.
Can't remember the date of that. I am sure you can find it.

The research you used was by someone using groups in the North West, so not indicative of the whole country.
In fact, one example he used is Chester, where the council has said that homeless cannot sleep in the city centre.
Therefore any homeless person who found themselves ejected from Chester could easily end up in Manchester or Liverpool.

durhamjen Mon 18-Dec-17 20:07:34

Sorry, Jalima, it doesn't say that those who use alcohol are not also using other drugs.

Anyway, using lemon's reasoning, we should stop selling alcohol and cigarettes, and homelessness really will magically disappear.

By the way 38% - 26% = 12%

lemongrove Mon 18-Dec-17 21:53:32

durhamjen you could argue the hind leg off a donkey.
I said nothing of alcohol or cigarettes, even though alchohol causes many problems with the homeless, it does to those with a home as well.
I was talking of hard drugs, crack, heroin,etc . Police know that so much crime is committed by drug users, and that so many rough sleepers are addicts, some before they become homeless and some afterwards.
If you were able to take away addicts and those unfortunate people with mental health problems off the streets, there wouldn’t be many left.

lemongrove Mon 18-Dec-17 22:40:34

The Government have pledged to spend a billion between now and 2020 on tackling homelessness.

durhamjen Mon 18-Dec-17 22:56:21

Where are they going to get that from?
How many billions has the government pledged to spend on the problems they have created over the last seven years?

durhamjen Mon 18-Dec-17 22:58:56

I know you didn't say anything about alcohol and cigarettes, lemon. Jalima did.
It's okay, I won't bother your mind any more by trying to explain again what I meant.

lemongrove Mon 18-Dec-17 23:04:23

Good! grin

Jalima1108 Mon 18-Dec-17 23:12:03

^ Jalima did.^
Really? Could you show me where I mentioned cigarettes?

Alcohol can be just as destructive a substance as drugs and does not always come in the form of a nice Chablis or Bordeaux

durhamjen Mon 18-Dec-17 23:13:49

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/marmite-stress-anxiety-victoria-university-vitamin-b-a8114121.html

Jalima1108 Mon 18-Dec-17 23:17:19

Is that the wrong thread?
Eating marmite is also supposed to help prevent you being bitten by mozzies.
It doesn't work.

Jalima1108 Tue 19-Dec-17 09:54:01

Everyone has known for years that it is rich in the B vitamins and why the B vitamins are beneficial. However, if researchers can get a grant to prove what everyone knew already then why not? It's only public money after all.
hmm

maryeliza54 Tue 19-Dec-17 12:49:31

Jal well unlike you I have absolutely no idea how this Australian study was funded. It's also a lot more specific than just is Vit B is beneficial. It was carried out by an experienced research team in a well respected department in a well respected university as part of whole slew of research into the role of Vit B in a range of health issues and conditions. It was published in a peer reviewed journal. But do carry on making cheap uninformed jibes about properly conducted research which is aimed at improving health and well being.

PamelaJ1 Tue 19-Dec-17 15:00:17

mcen no I’m not. I am saying that a congregation of approx 6 worshippers in 1 church have to help to fund that church’s part of the Parish share. There are 4 churches in the benefice the Parish share is over 60,000. donations are augmented by fees from weddings and funerals.
To answer your second question, yes indeed.

Jalima1108 Tue 19-Dec-17 15:13:17

But do carry on making cheap uninformed jibes about properly conducted research which is aimed at improving health and well being.
Do carry on being rude and personal maryeliza. I think we'd all be quite startled if you changed.

As you have no idea, shall ask my cousin, he is a professor at that university?

Jalima1108 Tue 19-Dec-17 15:14:13

But I am still confused about why the link was on this thread.

Did you mean it to go elsewhere durhamjen?

lemongrove Tue 19-Dec-17 15:46:06

Like food or health I should think.

petra Tue 19-Dec-17 16:00:02

Come on girls, give the woman a break. She works her fingers off night and day to give links that most don't read or give a toss about. One of them is surely going to go amiss sometimes.

Jalima1108 Tue 19-Dec-17 16:02:41

blush
Sorry!
Actually, I haven't bought any Marmite for ages, perhaps I need to buy some and have it on my toast before these threads get me all stressed out.

lemongrove Tue 19-Dec-17 16:04:15

I love a bit of buttered toast with Marmite on.

Petra ?

maryeliza54 Tue 19-Dec-17 16:39:30

petra your post about dj was petty, childish, ignorant, rude, pathetic, supremely unfunny and just frankly f***ing awful - still par for the course amongst your little group of playground mates

maryeliza54 Tue 19-Dec-17 16:41:58

That lemon finds it funny says everything you need to know.

maryeliza54 Tue 19-Dec-17 16:44:29

Well do ask your cousin - but that won’t make up for your post demonstrating complete ignorance about university research and as for criticising my posts for being personal and rude you ought to look at your fellow playground mates