Posted by alexandra_k on September 15, 2004, at 3:55:23
I live in one of the best welfare countries in the world. I only come to realise this when the policies of other countries are brought to my attention.
I was suprised when I went to Australia how there was stigma about the unemployment benefit. Here, we can borrow money for living costs on our student loan. If our parents earn under the threshold and you are under 25, or if you are unsupported and / or married and / or older you qualify for a student allowance which is enough to meet your basic needs for 3 years. Over the summer break, the idea is to go on the unemployment benefit to have a well earned holiday. No stigma - but not in OZ apparantly...
The US seems to me (in my admitted ignorance) to be a make it if you can and keep what you earn; or F things up for yourself and starve for all we are going to do about it sort of a Country.
Does this seem fair?
Have I got this completely wrong?
Does anyone else think about this stuff?Norway is the place to go apparantly, though (unsuprisingly) it is hard to immigrate.
Not that I am a 'dole bludger' - but it is nice to feel supported by the fatherland.
We are a pretty diplomatic country... but then as it says in our anthem: 'god defend nz' - and god better, becuase if anyone decides to go in for some raping and pillaging there is not a lot that we can do about it after selling our airforce to OZ...
poster:alexandra_k
thread:390967
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040914/msgs/390967.html