Drinking as an Act of Political Protest

[davidgillon]

So Iain Duncan Smith (memorably described as 'the Poster Child for the Forces of Darkness' by Cory Doctorow at LonCon) wants to introduce Benefit Cards that will prevent people on benefits spending their benefits on anything but food and clothing and their rent (and probably only from major donors chain stores knowing the Tories). So no booze, no taking old friends out for a coffee to see if they know of any jobs going and so on.

When I first heard that, I was in the middle of drinking a beer, because I had a screaming backache and, like a lot of people I know dealing with chronic pain, booze, in moderation, can be quite a useful addition to your pain control regimen. And IDS wants to stop that. It just occurred to me that every time I have a drink, especially a drink because I'm in pain, I'm sticking a great big finger in the air to IDS and the rest of the forces of darkness over at the DWP and can justifiably claim it's an act of political protest.

Drinking as an act of political protest, does it get better than this? ;)

Comments

[davidgillon]

And today's news is that IDS wants to tax disability benefits

It's enough to drive you to drink.

[nanila]

If this is really going to be implemented, then MPs should lead by example and agree to expenses cards that can only be spent in grocery stores, rent and possibly on petrol. Certainly not on cigarettes or booze, or lunches in restaurants.

[davidgillon]

Absolutely! They certainly shouldn't be getting mortgage support that lets them walk away with £m houses in their new property portfolios!

It's constantly 'austerity demands painful cuts', yet (heavily subsidised) champagne consumption in the Commons has increased massively during this parliament.