If they were equally as harsh with the bankers it would be one thing but they're not. They're still dancing around and playing games, as if the bankers are critical to the success of the country. The obvious answer is that they're not. At least not the clowns that drowned the economy and that's who continue to run the banks. How is it that governments can invest so much time in being nasty with those at the bottom, yet give a free pass to those at the top who are much more costly to the system?
A tougher-than-expected squeeze on the unemployed is to be announced today as the jobless face the threat of losing all benefits for as long as three years if they refuse community work or the offer of a job, or fail to apply for a job if advised to do so.
In the most severe welfare sanctions ever imposed by a British government, unemployed people will lose benefits for three months if they fail to take up one of the options for the first time, six months if they refuse an offer twice, and three years if they refuse an offer three times.
Downing Street sources said the new "claimant contract" will come into force as soon as legislation is passed, and may not wait for the introduction of a streamlined universal credit system in 2013-14.
