Spain protest for disabled: We’re being “abandoned” – ableism

Published on Dec 2, 2012 by Euronews
http://www.euronews.com/ It has been the turn of thousands of disabled Spaniards to rally through the Madrid streets in defiance of the latest round of austerity measures.

More than 300 buses brought in protesters and their families from all over the country.

Campaigners warn that the rights and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable in Spanish society are under threat.

Paralympic athlete Roger Puigbo said “They now want to take away welfare support that took a long time to fight for. So we are here to defend it.”

More than 4 million people in Spain have some sort of disability.

They’ve been first to feel the effects of 60 billion euros in cuts since the centre-right government took office last year.

“We four million need more support to ensure we’re not the last ones. We are willing to endure the cuts but not to the point they are reaching,” said one protester.

As well as a lack of cash to pay for home help, many public facilities for the disabled are under threat of closure.

One campaigner said the cuts were condemning many people to a life of social exclusion.

Germany: Homeless Students

Published on Nov 29, 2012 by deutschewelleenglish
Affordable housing is becoming increasingly hard to find in Germany’s big cities. The main reason is the euro crisis; those who can afford it are buying – because property is seen as a safe investment. Big cities like Hamburg have a shortage of affordable housing. Students and trainees are hardest hit, as are low-income families. Many of those affected have no choice but to stay with their relatives, and/or are forced to commute long distances. The authorities have pledged to invest in new building projects – but finding vacant plots of land in cities isn’t always easy

Euro-Crisis: Separatist Movements Mount

Published on Nov 11, 2012 by deutschewelleenglish
It’s tough times in the EU. In the face of stunning austerity, separatist movements are blossoming all across the Union. They believe, they would do better on their own. Is this the end of unity? It’s tough times in the EU. In the face of stunning austerity, separatist movements are blossoming all across the Union. They believe, they would do better on their own. Is this the end of unity?

Dukie gets socially promoted, quits school & sells drugs

On The Wire, middle-schooler Dukie falls through the cracks in the system.

India Charity Offers Amputees Escape from Poverty Trap

Jan 3, 2012

Losing a limb is traumatic in any circumstance, but it can become an ongoing poverty trap for those without access to advanced medical care. The Indian state, Rajasthan, is home to one of the world’s largest charities aimed at empowering amputees with new limbs – and a new life.

Who benefits from food stamps?

Jim Chynoweth from Second Harvest North Florida explains the economic impact of food stamps and who really benefits.

MEGAPOST: The Game of Life and a parody/critique of socialism

Fun With Politics – Social Life Board Game Commercial
LYRICS:
Get lazy in the Game of Social Life.
You can spend more time with your kids and your wife.

Don’t be a doctor, they work too hard.
CEO? No! Mall security guard.

“Your successful business triples your tax rate.”

Get lazy, taxes take you money away.
So why go through the trouble? Mediocraty pays.

“Wait 2 years for cancer treatment. Lose 24 turns.”
“Oh, man! Inflation card. Everyone lose half your money.”

Get lazy, you don’t have to go to school.
Get free money, spend more time by your pool.

If you go to college, man those school loans are lame.
Why go through the trouble when we all make the same.

“You fall behind on your mortgage. Yes! Collect $1000 every turn.”
“You’re current on your mortgage. Pay an extra $1000 every turn.”
“The key is to not have any ambition.”

Get lazy, there are no rich people to hate.
Bring rich people down! Hey, aint life great?

“The spinner only has the number one, so nobody gets an unfair advantage. We wouldn’t want anybody to win now! Every other space is tax day! Well, for the dummies who make enough to pay taxes.”

Get lazy.

“Buy it while it’s still available.”

“Available only until there are no more rich people to leach off of, and the middle class goes completely extinct leaving only extremely poor, and not the kind of poor where you can still afford an iPod.”

“By Death of the Constitution Games.”

The game of life 1960 commerical- in color!

I remember when they ran this commercial a lot during the Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction, so I’m gonna guess it’s from somewhere around 1967-68

1979-1981

“Be a winner at the Game of Life!”

*Bargain Hunter* by Milton Bradley. A poor-man’s *Game Of Life* that let kids experience all the headaches of adulthood..
“Hunt bargains to be the first to furnish your apartment and get out of debt.”

America’s new poor fending for food

Food stamps for the middle class

Apr 12, 2010

The ongoing economic recession and under-employment in the United States has resulted in a big increase in middle class people relying on food stamps.

Chapter – It’s Free Swipe Yo EBT (2011)

Controversial welfare queen satire.

“This is where the taxpayer money goes”

“All you have to do is fuck and nine months later you’re getting the big bucks”

Keywanda is having the time of her life. Her job is raising her family of 10 children while dealing with the drama and stress of the children’s fathers. Thanks to the great state of California, Keywanda can support her lifestyle of having fun, getting “Turnt Up” and the kids can even get to eat from time to time.

The Onion: Social Security Scam Robs Elderly By Convincing Them They Are Dead

A new scam preys on the elderly by informing them they have died and instructing them to reroute their social security checks to the “Department of the Dead.”

Ray Stevens – Come to the USA (2010)

LYRICS

If you thinkin’ about illegal immigration,
Be careful when you’re choosin’ the nation
‘Cause breakin’ the law in some countries is frowned upon.
Imagine that.

Sneak into China and they’ll call you a spy
And ship you to Mongolia till you die.
And in Sudan they’ll hang you and the camel you rode in on.

Yeah, and don’t go ahikin’ and enter Iran,
Or you might never be heard from again.
And in Mexico, you might face a firing squad.

Yeah, and forget all about going to North Korea.
That’s a great example of a bad idea,
So when it comes down to it, there’s only one option you got.

Yeah, come to the USA.
There’s no penalty to pay
Should you get caught illegally immigratin’

Come to the USA.
It will be your lucky day
‘Cause when you get in there’s lots of goodies waitin’

Like health care, welfare, free education,
Help with your voter registration
And drivers license and credit cards
And license plates for your old car.

Lots of jobs for you to do
And employers who’ll turn a blind eye, too.

Come to the USA!

No need to worry about the Constitution.
We’ll help you start a house of prostitution
If that’s the kind of work that you wanna do.

You see, those gringo infidels are crazy.
They’ll give citizenship to your new baby.
So, you see, there’s really only one choice for you.

Come to the USA.
There’s no penalty to pay
Should you get caught illegally immigratin’

I said come to the USA.
It will be your lucky day
‘Cause when you get in there’s lots of goodies waitin’

Yeah, you get public housing and cable TV
And food stamps and even government cheese.
The borders are a swinging door.
Go home for a visit and come back for more.

There’s sanctuary and amnesty.
Bring the whole famn damily eventually.

Yeah, come to the USA.

In Brazil, Women’s Changing Roles, Attitudes Leading to Smaller Families

Despite having the most Catholics in the world, 80 percent of Brazilian women of childbearing age are using some form of artificial contraception. In partnership with National Geographic Magazine, special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro examines the declining fertility rate, which has dropped to just 1.9 children per woman.

Cuts to bus subsidies leave vulnerable stranded

Channel 4 News has learned that 90 per cent of councils in England are cutting subsidised bus services.

Homeless Woman Doesn’t Want To Abandon Cat