(02-09-2023, 04:24 PM)TinkandTiff Wrote: Thanks for NOTHING Labour.
Their lastest bribe is to provide free dental care for those under the age of 30 if they win the upcoming election - to be implemented in stages.
So, my husband and I can not afford to go to the Dentist and both desperately need to.
Have worked and paid taxes all our lives and are still working and paying taxes, whilst trying unsuccessfully to save for our retirement, pay our mortgage and the rising cost of living.
:No such thing as free Dr's visits for children when our kids were little - so we missed out on that, and had to pay. And then again at the chemist, and it was a damn sight more expensive than the now defunct $5 per item in those days too.
: No Working for Families or family benefit
: We paid $500 a year to send our kids to our local Primary School - State school, plus stationary costs etc
: There was no help available for our Dyslexic child - we had to pay, pay , pay for private tutors all her school life.
And now we will miss out on dental care.
Kinda irks me that there are people that sit at home on their ass all day that will get this for nothing in the future, if Labour win. Providing, of course they stick to their promise.
You are right at every step.
Sometimes concessions for kids are justified to get them started on the right foot in life, but dental health is essential to overall health and just as important for middle aged as for under 30s. And keeping parents well is important for their kids too. Rather than being ageist about it, I would far rather see a start by subsidising check ups and maybe basic fillings, like doctors visits are currently subsidised. Then move forward from there. At least that would enable awareness of problems when they are still cheaper to fix.
We're now in the silly season leading up to the election when all manner of promises will be made. Some may be honest, but many are just to try and catch a few votes. Labour has had 6 years to make changes and has done so much that is nonsensical and detrimental, I certainly wouldn't trust any promises to do better now. They had the chance to do something about dental health but didn't, so I wouldn't trust any promises now.
(02-09-2023, 08:24 PM)yousnoozeyoulose Wrote: Been to the dentist once in the last 24 years. Look after them properly and you don't need to whinge...
I always like how some people blame a single political party for something even though their complaints last through multiple governments on both sides of the ledger. It's cute. Stupid, but cute.
Teeth do need to be looked after properly but also need professional checkups. You have either been very lucky or have a mouth full of bad gums that you won't realise are bad until it's too late.
Yes, many things that could change and don't are because multiple governments failed to do so. Sometimes it's because they spend the whole term sorting out the problems caused by the previous incumbents. Some things are just in the too hard pile. And many things that don't need government input get attention because people won't take responsibility for themselves and cry "the government must..." and waste resources that could have been spent on real benefits.
(04-09-2023, 12:59 PM)Oh_hunnihunni Wrote: I came across an interesting little piece on 'privilege' today, that resonated with me. It said that privilege isn't about the bonus points we get, but rather the absence of obstacles. Some of us are blessed by good fortune and good management, recognising that others have barriers and penalties instead helps us understand just how lucky we are.
Luck, good or bad, is a factor in everyone's lives. Some things you can't help, but for a lot of things people contribute to the luck they get. Eg getting cancer is bad luck, but not drinking alcohol goes a long way to staying "lucky" and avoiding it. Some obstacles in life are unavoidable, but people who live in a way that minimises risk are more likely to be in a position to cope with the obstacles that they can't avoid.