News
If you haven't got a job, you deserve to be homeless. That's the message coming from British politicians of all colours this autumn. Two London boroughs (Westminster and Newham) are introducing policies whereby the jobless would be passed over by those in work in the allocation of social housing.
And before someone jumps in and blames the Tories, consider the point of view of the Labour opposition. When David Miliband delivered his speech to the Labour conference a couple of weeks ago, he said, "when we have a housing shortage, choices have to be made. Do we treat the person who contributes to their community the same as the person who doesn't? My answer is no." He also said, "I believe in a benefits system with values. And I believe in the value of work. Labour. Think about that word. The party of work."
Idle Foundation ebook out!
The Idle Foundation's new ebook, Idling Is For Everyone, is now out.
It is a mixture of polemic, personal observation, and practical advice, presented alongside humour and creativity.
You can grab a copy from the downloads page of this website for the price of a pint, and there are free samples available too.
As an idler I pledge...
Some of the pledges made so far:
To strive not to work ridiculous hours, especially not for some corporate wankster. To strive to eat nice stuff that doesn't go ping at the end. I will not let stress intrude upon me where possible. Eat more home grown veg. To procreate and make idle babies. To eat slowly. To drink real ales frequently. To sing more. To smile more. To step off the 9-5 merry-go-round before I get queasy. To amuse myself in public as well as in private. To strive to amuse others as well as myself. To know that work is merely for paying the bills. To always remember that friends are a source of strength. To enjoy the simple things. To spend quality time in nature. To spend less with big businesses and corporations. To make lots of nice things instead. To go against the grain. To strive to make a difference, to the world and people around you... however small. To be happy!!! Read the pledges and add your own in the forum
Who is chatting?
From the Idle album:
- Birmingham meetup_10
A selection from Confused's Alternative Idle Manifesto
Every 3 years every single person over the age of 21 must spend 3 months on the frontline of the service industry, on £5 per hour. Unless they already work in the service industry in which case they can have 3 months off on £500 per week.- A national monorail system to replace cars. All monorail stations obliged to play the monorail song from ‘the Simpsons’ every morning at 10.30.
Locally, cars to be replaced by electric scooters. Thus no road traffic can ever go faster than 35 miles per hour. Trains can remain for freight - Airships will provide international travel. Tea and cake must be served promptly at 4pm daily when on board.
- Local traditions such as ‘cheese rolling’ and ‘pooh sticks’ must become county holidays. In these counties everything must shut for the day except these events.
- Everyone required to take 1 year paid leave every 6 years. If not working at the time, each person can receive a rate equal to the wage of their most recent job.
- Tutti frutti ice cream will be brought back.
- Marks and Spencer to bring back that lovely sausage Yorkshire pudding thing.
Read the full manifesto and lend your support here!
Hats Off Internet