WHILE I appreciate that in these politically correct times it is verboten to view the disabled with anything short of reverential sympathy and that we are all only one bad car accident away from being one of them, the fact is that times are changing.
The Disability Discrimination Act means that employers have to bend over backwards to accommodate disabled members of staff.
Therefore, anyone disabled who can get to a place of work – and a high proportion can thanks to their free Motability cars – is as capable of earning a living as the rest of us.
Last week’s Examiner advertised sedentary call centre jobs in a fully-refurbished office just outside Huddersfield town centre.
Anyone who has a car and can answer the telephone at home would be capable of doing the job. So what’s the problem?
I’ve never heard a convincing argument why someone permanently ‘disabled’ and with no desire to ever contribute to society again should have a higher standard of living than someone who has temporarily fallen on hard times, but that is how the benefits system works which is why moves are underway to change it.
Sadly the only response ever forthcoming is the negative and defeatist: “If you want my benefits you can have my disability as well.”
One needs look no further for inspiration and example than that genuine British hero, Sir Douglas Bader.
Richard Huddleston
West Slaithwaite
Thousands are working
WHAT about those thousands who are far more disabled than Roziea Richardson and actually work, such as blind people in particular.
I’m not sure they can receive a car and £1,200 a month tax free.
Sorry, but I’m sure there are many working families on far less and having to fight to exist at the moment.
Mick
Mirfield
Computer or phone job
THE lady with the amputated leg should work. Get trained on a computer or phone skills and off benefits ASAP.
Matt Hulsey
Holmfirth
Cold months ahead
LESS daylight and cold weather means October and the predictable rise in fuel bills are upon us which will mean record breaking profits for these energy firms.
Many of Cameron’s big society will go cold this winter due to these well over inflation rises.
Mind you, every cloud has a silver lining. The sales of thick socks and pullovers and woolly hats will soar. More’s the pity our textile industry is gone – they could have made millions.
F Ward
Birkby
Ridiculous train fares
WELL done Barry Sheerman for playing Call My Bluff over Huddersfield train fares. This is an extremely long-standing anomaly going back at least 30 years.
I have made a great many journeys between Huddersfield and Derby and Huddersfield and Bedford and it has always been cheaper to buy a ticket to Sheffield and another one to complete the journey, with the additional advantage that money is credited to the Penistone line which would otherwise not be the case.
Similarly, two tickets from Huddersfield to Stoke-on-Trent via Manchester will save between 20% to 25% of the price of one ticket. Strangely, however, Huddersfield to Glasgow via Manchester seems to be the sum of the two legs, thereby being the cheapest fare possible.
I would add that these anomalies also apply to cheap day returns and saver tickets, including those to London, and not just the tickets that Barry Sheerman has to buy. I wish him luck in his endeavours.
John E Charlesworth
Golcar
It’s like a race track
I’M writing to complain that since Blacker Road has been resurfaced it has become like a race track with cars speeding down the hill from the traffic lights at the major road junction of Edgerton Road/ New North Road and Blacker Road.
I witnessed this when I was picking up my grandson from Birkby Infants School. Cars were speeding down the hill, some even overtaking going into Birkby.
There is no school warning sign on Blacker Road approaching the school, warning motorists to slow down. There is not even flashing warning lights warning of a school crossing or even a crossing patrol person (lollipop person) to assist pupils and parents crossing the road.
What are required are speed bumps starting from halfway down the hill to just before the school. Or put speed cameras on the hill down into Birkby. I am not a lover of these things, but if no action is taken soon with regard to this racing track, some innocent child or other victim will be killed or maimed for life before too long.
Keith Bagot
Honley
Low will be high
THE lowest energy tariffs around will still be a lot higher than we are paying now. Yet another of Cameron’s bullet-dodging exercises ...
A Jenkinson
Milnsbridge
Tougher stance on crime
I AM as enthralled by the forthcoming election of Police and Crime Commissioner as the next man – not very.
I would be more interested in voting for an official who would be in a position to authorise or oblige, courts to impose appropriate and whole-term sentencing, thus encouraging the police to feel that it is worth their time and effort to bring criminals to court.
It must be so demoralising for them to see people they know to be prolific offenders getting away with a slap on the wrist or a final final warning or to see those characters such as murdering arsonists or fraudulent child abductors over whom they have employed so much time and such incredible detection skills walking free after serving just a fraction of their already inadequate sentence.
Alan Starr
Golcar
Things won’t change
READING the advert from the Home Office in the Examiner on October 18 with regards to voting for a Police and Crime Commissioner one begins to wonder why.
Are these people going to be political with just another layer of bureaucracy.
It also states that by voting you will have your say in the key decisions that will impact on your area.
Am I right in assuming that we will have the same ‘say’ as we enjoy at present when decisions are made by our local council.
Trouble is, we never know the final outcome of these things until it is too late.
Perhaps I’m being a sceptic but if this vote is for another political figure then I’m afraid things will not change. Kagey
Linthwaite
Confusing cupcakes
I’M glad that I’m not on my own regarding ‘cupcakes’ and buns (Letters, October 22).
I also get confused when TV chefs tell me to ‘pan fry’ something. Is there any other way? Should I fry eggs directly on my hob top?
Puzzled
Deighton
And the next gate is ...
NOW that we’ve experienced ‘Plebgate’ in all its politically correct splendour, can we look forward to ‘Toffgate’ when political adversaries or other factions next engage in a public slanging match?
Mr Grumpy
Almondbury
