Big Society needs understanding and a change of attitude

From: JW Slack, Swinston Hill Road, Dinnington, Sheffield.

YOUR focus feature on the Big Society (Yorkshire Post, February 23) gave the opinions of eight individuals looking at the issue from different perspectives based on their own experiences.

To be tolerant, inclusive and compassionate to all human beings also demands in the Big Society that everyone should do the same. Ann Cryer rightly points the finger at beliefs feeding exclusiveness and Mike Pannett at those who could afford a pay cut and do not.

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We have a wonderful country to learn about and enjoy, especially through volunteering; research programmes in health and I learned recently that the cancer and dementia charities were joining forces – what a tragedy for someone to have both illnesses at the same time. Naturally nurses will need support and training to keep up to date with treatments and deal with patients through greater experience; I know the police locally have worked very hard with young people in our area across service boundaries.

The Big Society is in existence but struggling for funds and manpower. Volunteers are stretched with work, family and financial issues; increased family breakdown are a problem for all – especially children.

I fear that our present crop of MPs from all parties have lacked experience outside politics to understand fully the issues and cannot see the despair that exists in many families which is now in the third generation. Present policies are more likely to widen the gulf between rich and poor – a greater understanding of the problems is required.

From: JW Buckley, Aketon, Pontefract.

The vision of the Big Society is being ridiculed. Pursuant to such vision, our Chancellor asks for economic suggestions, to get the response: “That is why you were elected.” This response shows the necessity for the vision.

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For years, we have been drip-fed propaganda making us dependent on the State. Quite rightly, the opposite is now being said, and the extent of the opposition shows how much the propaganda has succeeded.

It is said that the disadvantaged have the most to lose from the concept of Big Society.

Quite the contrary; they have been made to feel dependent on the State. They have been robbed of their self- esteem, and their self-confidence.

That is what Big Society is all about. It is an attitude of mind. The disadvantaged will be able to say: “I might be dependent on state benefits, but I regard them as pay for doing work for the local community.”

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That increased feeling of self-worth, and self-confidence imakes a difference. Would Big Society be better described as Self-Worth Society?

If you put into society (your time and effort) then you get out an increased feeling of self-worth. Those who have always had their self-worth have no idea how devastating and demoralising its loss can be.

If you are out of work, you are employed by the State to work for the community, with the prospect of impressing someone who may offer you a job working for them, a future. No-one, repeat no-one, is jobless. That is Big Society and what is it? A state of mind!

From: T Scaife, Manor Drive, York.

IF Mary Shelley had been around today, she may well have drawn inspiration from the “People’s Austerity”.

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She would have marvelled as that amateur social scientist David Cameron applies the jump leads to his creation, the Big Society, proclaiming: “It’s alive... it’s alive.”

There are plenty of horror stories in the UK involving cuts, cuts and more cuts as slasher Osborne goes about his business.

This mad experiment of fiscal prudence is causing widespread distress. Never mind the Alternative Vote, what we need is an Alternative Vision. Something in short supply as we head toward council elections.

We may as well bay at the moon and read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein than bother to vote.