Normally the stories we hear about individuals who claiim to disabled, when they are not, or claim they cannot find work, when actually they could. Lets get this clear from teh start, I hate these people ans would see them in prison. But here is the opposite side of the coin, corporate rip off of the tax payer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jul/11/g4s-investigated-overcharging-millions-pounds The UK has imprisoned many people for defauding the state with bugus disability claims, how much did these indivisduals cost the tax payer? 10, 20, 30, 40K Sterling per case? But here we have one compnay who has ripped of the tax pay for 10's of MILLIONS!!! I presume that everyone here, that rails against the state welfare queens, has equal, if not more anger at a corporation doing the exact same thing?
The government determined that the benefits fraud comes to about 70p per 100 pounds. So for every 100 pounds claimed, 99.3 pounds are legit (within the rules). Banks and corporations on the other hand, have continued to rip off the taxpayers and the treasury much worse, with their own brazen, criminal fraud. For example, six major energy corporations were caught "misselling" gas/electric.. Now "misselling" is a euphemism for intentional fraud at the point of sale. These scams have cost the people millions and millions. If you fill out your Jobseeker's Allowance application with a wrong detail, and don't correct it, that won't be a mistake; that's criminal fraud. But when corporations intentionally lie, and collect from that fraud, that's just a mistake, and they may have to give back just some of their ill-gotten gains. The TV adverts tell you to watch out for people on benefits who might be defrauding the system, and make sure to grass them up and tell the authorities the first chance you get. Meanwhile, the real corporate fraud, that has the REAL price, isn't such a big deal. They don't even bother to criminally prosecute those who commit fraud. Just a slap-on-the-wrist fine for their company. Even though it's much more money being stolen.
I'm going to do something very crazy here and disagree with you here. Now hear me out first... Right so you hate the people who are ripping off the welfare system. Everybody does, but to blame them solely for this and then wish prison upon them? Now I'll have to disagree with you there. The system is to blame not the people. That's like putting a dollar bill on the ground and then arresting anyone who tried to pick it up. People will be people. THE SYSTEM needs to be reformed. People do not need to be thrown in jail. Of course. But again, the system needs to be reformed.
I see where you're coming from, but disagree. My parents brought me up to understand right from wrong, this applies to every aspect of my like, both personal and professional. I would not steal from an individual and I would not steal from the government/taxpayer. This is a matter of personal accountability. You know that if you are not disabled and are claiming disability benefit, that it is wrong. Thats fraud and these people should be prosecuted. Thinking that you're somehow special and can have a life not working, instead claiming money from other people who do work, is wrong, plain and simple. I would not feel bad at all for people locked up for doing it.
I'm not sure I trust the UK government on this, Tony Blair modified the criteria for claiming disability benefits; making it easier, so that he could reduce the stats on unemployment. The current government implemented testing for disability and 100,000 claimants refused the test and gave up their state money.
Of course personal accountability is one thing, but some folks don't take accountability for their action. Some believe (As I've had dealings with them) think that the government owes them something and wishes to collect the money from them. They don't even realize that the money comes from ordinary tax payers, but truly believes it comes from the government. Thus, they feel like they are 'sticking it to the man', because of their hardship's. Now in the case of locking them, that's one way you can tackle it, another would be just to get rid of the program altogether. Why continue to allow folks to game the system for their own pleasure? Allow me to use that money and either give it to a private organization or church, or go out and use it on things that I've worked hard for. The money I garner, from working, should be utilized for my own purposes, not some government bureaucrats own dirty interests. On the other hand, my personal opinion, the government won't do anything to these folks for one reason. For individuals gaming the social assistance programs, nothing will occur because bureaucrats need the extra money to make it 'seem' like they need more in order to fulfill the money to folks who truly need it. They will brush those folks under the rug, put those who actually need it in the forefront, and any who go against it is either racist or a bigot. For the private organizations, they definitely won't do jack to them because most of them are the ones that funded their campaign. Isn't it amazing, over the past couple of months, folks had more scandals come out about them then ever before (IE: Bob McDonnell & Vincent Gray)? It's no wonder that private organizations are allowed to walk all over us, that wealth distribution is vastly separately between the rich, middle & poor, and then you expect the government bureaucrats to lock them up? Unfortunately, it won't happen. Thus, this is the reason why I say government is the root of the evil. Get rid of the power the government has, none of this crap will continue on.
Then the state should only use state employees for all work associated with the use of our taxes, to prevent the scenario as per the OP. It cuts both ways.
I note with interest a complete lack of Right wing condemnation. The reason is clear, they are not against ripping the tax payer off, they are pro corporate ripping the tax payer off. Any way possible that business can make money is a good thing in their eyes. Sickening.
