Pensioners are being left out in the cold
RETIRED people are getting a bit fed up of the States’ comments that there are more of them around and that having to pay them a pittance to survive on out of the pot they fed for 50-odd years is a problem.
These people are not the reason for any financial difficulties the States have. There are many more obvious areas where the cash is going that are far less important than giving the older generation a sufficient amount of money to live on. For starters there are too many young people not bothering or wanting to work and being supported out of the pot they have never put a penny into – and while they are being subsidised by the States they never will. There are girls having children immediately after leaving school knowing they will not be pressured to find work and in a lot of cases get more support than the poor old pensioner. There are other things like giving money to overseas aid. OK, there are others in need elsewhere, and when Guernsey has helped the people who have contributed all their lives to get the help they need in their old age, then by all means give to others, but not while we are struggling to make ends meet.
There are many other areas that one could mention where money is wasted and could go towards helping the older generation, but none more than the extortionate amount the deputies (who make the older generation feel a nuisance) are prepared to pay themselves. They either need to get in the real world, or – if they are they think they are – need to stop being so greedy and lining their own pockets when the majority of them are already loaded from the businesses they either own or have a large share in.
It’s time the deputies got a grip and stopped this stupid statement about the old being a nuisance and got on with doing the job these old people voted them in to do and promised to do on the doorstep, when telling them how they were going to make sure the retired person got a fair shout and would be looked after.
My message to all (old or new) candidates for the upcoming election is – don’t bother to knock on my door. The stupid new system for voting and the lies you are going to tell me about how brilliant you will be cuts no ice with me any more. I am not going to vote anyone into an organisation that is going to look after their own ends and leave the older generation in the cold to be ignored and broke, while you drink your champagne and live in comfort.
ROD HAMON
5, Rosemount,
Mont Arrive,
St Peter Port,
GY1 2AF.