OAP'S AND SO CALLED FREEBIES.

This week has seen an uprising of Old Age Pensioners, up in arms due to the suggestion that the free bus passes and winter fuel allowance should be means tested.

Firstly, let me confirm that the author is a 76 years old pensioner, with very moderate pensions. In addition, I have comparatively modest savings, which, if the banks were working on a proper interest rate of around 5%, I could enjoy reasonable vacations on the interest. Nevertheless, the senior citizen has been, not unlike younger folk existing on benefits, comatosed into this world of entitlement. It was only a few years ago when the aforementioned benefits were made available to the elderly by Gordon (Incapability) Brown, as a vote buying exercise, within an economy which was shrinking rapidly. We now have the sceptre of my fellow OAP's that this largesse is readily available. Well, unfortunately, all the money has gone with the wind.

Let me add that the writer is not in favour of means testing; assuming that the 'better off' have paid their dues, they should receive the same benefits as any other member of the public; some of whom may not have made such contributions.

The answer should lie in the way payments/pensions are paid. All these added benefits should appear in our monthly payments, whereby the wealthy folk would pay more tax. We need to rid ourselves of this feeling that someone else is responsible for our own lifestyle. Socialism has never worked; and running further into debt leaves an enormously daunting prospect for future generations. In Germany, for example, pensioners have to make a contribution to the health scheme; this makes people more concerned about their well being.

Some may recall MEP Daniel Hannan's address in the European Parliament in 2009, see Youtube, in the presence of 'Incapability Brown', when he made the point that every child born in Britain at that time was consigned a tax bill of £20,000.

WE DREAD TO THINK WHAT IT IS NOW.