davidgillon: A pair of crutches, hanging from coat hooks, reflected in a mirror (Crutches 1)
David Gillon ([personal profile] davidgillon) wrote2011-01-18 03:15 am

J'Accuse!

I Wonder What You Were Thinking

… when you informed on me to the DWP? 

Did you believe the yellow rags, the Scum, the Heil, the Vexpress? Do they shape your every thought when they label us fakers and fraudsters and the cause of all your woes?

Did you believe Ian Duncan Smith when he blamed us for the banking collapse? George Osbourne and his lackeys when they label us workshy? 

Do you envy me ESA’s £95 a week, which with Benefit Reform will soon enough be £0 a week?

Did you thrill over giving me an imagined kicking for my sins, not knowing I might still feel every punch, every blow, physical act or none? 

Did you wonder about practicality, think how I might manage to hold down a job, when I’m lucky to get out of the house for a whole four hours in the week?

Did you realise that it was you who was committing the crime, not I; Hate Crime, spite crime, little-minded bigot’s crime? 

Or do you simply despise me because I’m disabled?

   

[identity profile] dwgism.livejournal.com 2011-01-18 03:39 am (UTC)(link)

Yes, this is real. Despite the fact I'm lucky to get out of the house for a couple of hours twice a week, someone, apparently anonymous, has claimed to the DWP that I am working while I'm claiming ESA. I'm not sure what's more distressing, the false accusation, or knowing that someone around me is spreading these kinds of lies.

For the non-Brits:
DWP: The Department of Work and Pensions, the government department responsible for the benefits system.

ESA: Employment and Support Allowance, our benefit for those unable to work due to disability, and yes, it really will be dropping to zero after 12 months for those, like me, claiming Contributions Related ESA.

The Scum, The Heil, The Vexpress: The Sun, The Daily Mail and the Daily Express, right wing national dailies notorious for labelling disabled benefit claimants as universally fraudsters.

Ian Duncan Smith: Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, head of the DWP, one time leader of the Conservative Party.

George Osbourne: Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2nd most powerful man in the country.

[identity profile] tylik.livejournal.com 2011-01-18 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Teh suck!!!

(and thanks for the interpretive key - I could guess some from context, but was more than a little puzzled.)

[identity profile] dwgism.livejournal.com 2011-01-19 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
>>Teh suck!!!<<

Yeah, I'd definitely like a few pointed words with them.