Alternative proposal for benefits allocation

[wub]

"Benefits should be issued in the form of ration book style vouchers, not cash. The vouchers would be accepted as forms of payment for utility bills, associated housing charges, food, transportation etc, as well as educational supplies, clothing, and other associated items/services.

Only certain amounts per allocation could be spent on alcohol/cigarettes.

They would not be exchangable for cash, and could not be used to purchase unnecessary luxury items such entertainment related electrical goods, holidays etc.

This would prevent misuse of the benefit system by people spending the state handouts whilst their children go without food and basic clothing, for example"

Issues with this could be;

• the potential creation of a black market
• dictatorial approach

Benefits could include;

• improvement of quality of life for those malnourished children
• Health implications of reducing alcohol/cigarette consumption
• Reduction of benefits 'cheats' as lifestyles no longer financed

Discuss.

[hugh]

"Benefits should be issued in the form of ration book style vouchers, not cash. The vouchers would be accepted as forms of payment for utility bills, associated housing charges, food, transportation etc, as well as educational supplies, clothing, and other associated items/services.

Only certain amounts per allocation could be spent on alcohol/cigarettes.

They would not be exchangable for cash, and could not be used to purchase unnecessary luxury items such entertainment related electrical goods, holidays etc.

This would prevent misuse of the benefit system by people spending the state handouts whilst their children go without food and basic clothing, for example"

There's the first problem. Everything is exchangeable for cash.

[Riddles]

There are pros and cons to it, I don't think people would be happy about not being in control of their benefits. Also the decision on what is a luxury and what isn't is pretty subjective.
It might help to reduce the negativity directed at people who claim benefits maybe, if people knew they could only spend it on necessary stuff?

Also making it not exchangeable for cash is gonna be really difficult to do.

[hugh]

p.s. - Source? Did you just make all this up?

[wub]

There's the first problem. Everything is exchangeable for cash.

As per the above;

• the potential creation of a black market

It might help to reduce the negativity directed at people who claim benefits maybe, if people knew they could only spend it on necessary stuff

A massive upshot, given the state of the economy and apathy towards 'scroungers' in the red tops.

Also the decision on what is a luxury and what isn't is pretty subjective.

Milk, essential
Flat screen TV w/ Sky Sports package, luxury

[Riddles]

If there was a good system to implement it, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea, but I doubt it could be achieved. You could require ID for use of the vouchers and refunds can only be given in form of vouchers as well, but it'd be hassle.
Pretty sure there would be an easy way around it.

the potential creation of a black market

That'd be the hardest thing to manage and probably the main reason it won't happen

[Mr Hyde]

Once they kill off cash and everything is paid for by card you'd be able to give the vouchers value into accounts that will only pay the things they're meant for. Suppose people could still trade some of those things once they get them (food rather than utility bills) but it'd be a hassle taking your beans into a betting shop to try and put a bet on.

[Riddles]

Once they kill off cash and everything is paid for by card you'd be able to give the vouchers value into accounts that will only pay the things they're meant for. Suppose people could still trade some of those things once they get them (food rather than utility bills) but it'd be a hassle taking your beans into a betting shop to try and put a bet on.

could use a top-up card solution i suppose, use it as a debit card but it only works for approved stuff. wouldn't be too bad I guess as most places have card machines now

[d-T-r]

vouchers = another/new form of currency. Any kind of reform doesn't solve the initial faults that triggered an idea like this. Wouldn;t it be more ...Economic...to lessen the cost of education and create new + more jobs?

and also, Why would Uk PLC have any genuine interest in reducing alcohol and cigarette consumption? I'm sure they earn more than our consumption than they loose through the associated health issues.

Who needs long term solutions when you can cover the losses of yesterday ,today at the expense of tomorrow

[lovelydivot]

..but we are in a phase - socially and sustainably - of not creating more random stuff...

I heard that in Japan - They have so many low-skill level workers just standing around in uniforms that it's stupid.


How about creating a culture of think tanks - prototyping - and observational reporting...similar to schools
But without the pressure of failing, the pressure to produce stuff, or the pressure to pay...

You go through the whole process of creating/making ideas come to life...

Then the viable ones can be green lighted for the real world.


Life as a big science fair/talent show

You get paid benefits for participation - maybe have a required service module to get hated things done...


The key here would be eliminating the need for money - and organization on a massive/morpheus scale

You'd still have the problem of getting people to show up...

[lovelydivot]

I'm not sure what kind of world we would have...

without the octopus hot dog slicer...nahmean

[lovelydivot]

tsunami junk phase


I have worked with people - who should have been paid to stay at home.

But then we start valuing things like - toe nail painting...

[Forum]

BM

[nousd]

Been running such a system here for some years in Aboriginal settlements with alcohol/assault probs
The women tend to dig it & the alkos tend to call discrimination
Now implementing it in the wider community in OZ states

It deffo adversely affects some small businesses like drug dealing.
Maybe could have bonus benefits as incentives for vaccination/school attendance etc.

[lovelydivot]

seriously - am I going for more?

[DJoe]

would the vouchers have a monetary equivalent?

[kidshuffle]

vouchers would just be traded in the blackmarket, just like food stamps.

you'd probably have a easier time completely subsidizing some public housing and just make the tennants earn their money for food and clothing.

[Genevieve]

I'm not sure what kind of world we would have...

without the octopus hot dog slicer...nahmean

I'm going to buy this

[magma]

Giving people vouchers instead of money is a pretty efficient way to tell them that the country doesn't trust them and that they're clearly too thick to set their own priorities. A step towards Them Vs Us, especially as we'll be able to judge each other at the checkout.

No thanks.

[magma]

Milk, essential
Flat screen TV w/ Sky Sports package, luxury

Now try it for the other 9999999999 products and services on sale in the UK without sounding like you're patronising people. You have to leave this to families unless you want a nation clouded by demoralised poor people feeling like naughty schoolchildren who don't deserve freedom within their own existences.

Its every human's right to fuck up in whatever way they see fit.