this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2023
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[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 year ago (1 children)

“Of course there should be support for people to help them into work but ultimately there is a duty on citizens if they are able to go out to work they should. Those who can work and contribute should contribute.”

There's not a tonne superficially wrong with it phrased in these terms. I think there are plenty of disabled people who are able and willing to work from home and there should be government support to help them get such jobs. There are plenty of non-disabled people who work from home most/all the time these days also.

But I think the thing that pushes it over the edge is the unnecessary double reference to people needing to do their 'duty' and to 'contribute' - it's framing the matter in a way that presupposes disabled people are some sort of burden, whilst seeming superficially reasonable. Classic Tory dog whistle.

I'd rather go after her for that than for the reasonable suggestion that disabled people can work from home when they're able to.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah, well said. Though, I do think it's more than just framing--they are stating that disabled people are a social burden, if they're not working when they could be.

Whether you agree with that seems to be beside the point, which to me is that societies should seek to take care of their people. The Tory ethos (much like the Republicans in the United States) is that anyone using social programs or services is guilty of taking advantage of society unless they demonstrably prove otherwise. That's an ugly way to think, in my opinion.

Especially when the people saying it typically benefit in myriad and lucrative ways from the structure of society.