Let's Get Political!

[fuzzy]

Having to deal with my fare share of crotchety auld fuckers in the shop, I understand where they're coming from.

[Nemo]

That’s why the bastards are trying to kill us off. Covid didn’t kill enough oldies so we’ll freeze them to death.

£2 billion saving, apparently, to freeze us. Pissy small amount in the overall scheme of things but a political choice instead of maybe getting it from the energy companies.

Government hates pensioners.

Just maths innit, when the state pension was introduced it was introduced in the UK, it was from the age of 70, despite life expectancy being (according to Statista) just 52. You have to live 18 years past the average life expectancy to get it at all.

Post WW2, it's 65 for men, 60 for women. Average life expectancy then about 68 or so, so most people get it, but not for long.

Today life expectancy is 78 for men, 83 for women, give or take a few months. Not hard to see why it might cost a lot more than it used to!

Not an easy one to deal with for any government - not saying any of them have made much of a fist of it so far - but someone needs to work out a way that either people can work longer or healthcare costs are going to have to be a whole lot lower. Two pretty difficult things.

[Bob's Orange]

That’s why the bastards are trying to kill us off. Covid didn’t kill enough oldies so we’ll freeze them to death.

£2 billion saving, apparently, to freeze us. Pissy small amount in the overall scheme of things but a political choice instead of maybe getting it from the energy companies.

Government hates pensioners.

It's not even cold, quit your whining you old goat!

[Audrey]

Being cynical, but there is little to no incentive in keeping people alive once they hit a certain age. Labour seem completely wedded to ‘working people’ only. They need to get the millions of spongers into work.

I think the UK has one of the lowest, if not THE lowest, state pension in Europe

What film was it when you reached a certain age you were culled irrespective if you were healthy or not. I’m sure Labour would fancy that.

[Nemo]

Cor Luxembourg looks good. Didn't you live there for a bit BO?

I think generally healthcare costs dwarf the actual pension mind.

[Audrey]

Sweden is a surprise, too.

[Bob's Orange]

Cor Luxembourg looks good. Didn't you live there for a bit BO?

I think generally healthcare costs dwarf the actual pension mind.

I dropped a bollock leaving Luxembourg when I did. You have to live there for 10 years to be eligible for state pension, I left about 9 years and a few months. Such a wally!

[Bob's Orange]

No wonder quite a few Brits retire to Spain as well.

[Batch]

Sweden is a surprise, too.

from googling I think the tjänstepension, an occupational pension add some extra for most. This is employer contributions through your working life so will be a % of your total earnings.

But I agree, thought it would be up the league.

[fuzzy]

What film was it when you reached a certain age you were culled irrespective if you were healthy or not. I’m sure Labour would fancy that.

The film was Soylent Green with Charlton Heston, from the book Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison

Being cynical, but there is little to no incentive in keeping people alive once they hit a certain age. Labour seem completely wedded to ‘working people’ only. They need to get the millions of spongers into work.

Having watched my dad fade away from a strong as an ox but suffering from Parkinsons 80+ year old to a bed ridden shell who died aged 93, I sometimes wonder if the medical profession should stop asking "Can we keep this person alive?" to "Should we keep this person alive?"

For context, I learned at his funeral, that he was diagnosed with Parkinsons aged 52- his condition was very well managed until about 5 years ago when he really rapidly deteriorated. He asked both me and my brother to "do the decent thing and put me out of my misery." We had to watch him fade away over that time period until his body stopped being stubborn and gave up.

[Nemo]

Assisted dying going through parliament in England and Scotland at the moment. Difficult topic, really get the fear of being pushed into it but know I'd rather go while I was still compos mentis. Dementia is an absolute fucker.

[Audrey]

I’m at the age now when thoughts of ‘how’ more than ‘when’. I have no fear of dying but the how is troublesome.

I don’t know if you reach a certain stage of your life when you’d be prepared to shuffle off with little regret.

I do hope, though, we get out of this hamster wheel of shitty owners is finished before I am.

[RedRag]

Assisted dying going through parliament in England and Scotland at the moment. Difficult topic, really get the fear of being pushed into it but know I'd rather go while I was still compos mentis. Dementia is an absolute fucker.

I think the Bill is right - when you think of options that may have been of value to Fuzzy's father [belated condolences by the way].

Still wary that greedy and impatient relatives might be a bit "pushy" - and especially the State or taxpayer - in years to come.

[Ardiles]

I’m at the age now when thoughts of ‘how’ more than ‘when’. I have no fear of dying but the how is troublesome.

I don’t know if you reach a certain stage of your life when you’d be prepared to shuffle off with little regret.

I do hope, though, we get out of this hamster wheel of shitty owners is finished before I am.

Amen.  🙏