back in the 90s, a couple of (conservative right-wing) politicians in nz did this as a kind of publicity stunt/challenge to prove that it was possible for people to live on the slashed unemployment benefits of the time. i can't find an online reference to it, but from memory they did it for a week or maybe 2, & made a whole lot of media appearances giving patronising tips to low income people about how they were able to make ends meet on a benefit & have fun doing it too.
of course they did not move out of their big houses or give up their cars or empty out their freezers & pantries & wine cellars or have months of unpaid bills piling up all around them or have to forego future holidays or throw out their wardrobe or not visit their friends for fancy meals or anything like that - so in reality it was a bit of a joke. they told people who live in council houses with concrete all around to grow their own vegies, people who don't own sewing machines to mend their clothes, people who can't afford bus fare to leave the car at home ... unfortunately most politicians are far, far removed from daily reality of those at the bottom of the heap ... On 3/04/13 5:37 AM, Alan Sondheim wrote: > > signed as well - we have similar issues here - I taught, think the title > was Nickle And Dimed - a couple of years ago, similar situation. > > God I wish I were rich! I wouldn't have to listen to myself! > > == > email archive http://sondheim.rupamsunyata.org/ > web http://www.alansondheim.org / cell 347-383-8552 > music: http://www.espdisk.com/alansondheim/ > current text http://www.alansondheim.org/rx.txt > == > _______________________________________________ > NetBehaviour mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour > -- helen varley jamieson [email protected] http://www.creative-catalyst.com http://www.wehaveasituation.net http://www.upstage.org.nz _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
