A blogger's tale

A while ago I was asked,
Why and when did you decide to start writing?
Furthermore - what persuaded you to take your talents to the Internet?

Here is what I wrote in reply.
In 2007 I was working in a pressurised environment for the NHS in the UK. My job held plenty of responsibility and hassle, for few rewards. Feeling that I was approaching breaking point I decided that it was time to walk away. As it has turned out I did return in a few short months but in a part-time capacity and different hospital environment.

When I first left though I took a drop in money. My new, temporary job was only just above the minimum wage and the 16 hours reduction in the working week added to the financial restraints.

Still I was much happier and the break gave me time to re-evaluate life and my priorities.

So, at home, with more time on my hands, and no money, I began to research ways that I could make a little extra money on-line.

Simply google "making money online" and all sorts of opportunities and scams are easy to find.

I wanted something that was legitimate, non pressurised and offered a little pocket money.

I began with surveys and mystery shopping and found the rewards nice. They were not always vast but they were steady extra cash.

English had been one of my best subjects at school and writing seemed a possibility. I had been good at art but my poor eyesight limited these opportunities.

I signed up at Dooyoo.co.uk and Ciao.co.uk and began to write product reviews. My initial reviews were dire. Whether it was lack of experience, my health at the time or simply lack of practice I do not know, but some reviews were dreadful. Still I earned a little money and built up a community. All in all I enjoyed these sites. Epinions was another that I joined, but only for a short time.

As my writing improved I gradually abandoned these sites and moved on. For a while I did go back and amend some of the reviews but as the rewards were small it felt time to move on.

I guess Helium was my first proper Internet writing site. It was in its infancy when I joined. Over the five plus years that I have been a member Helium has morphed into a new entity. Some of this I like. Some I do not.

Then in time I came across Hubpages. That site for me fulfilled many of my creative needs at least it did back then. It was user friendly, easy to get to grips with and did not make too many changes, too often. Yes, it has made some but most have been welcome improvements. Infobarrel was recommended by a fellow Hubber other sites followed. In time I streamline my Internet writing. There are only so many hours in a day and I do not want to be a, Jack of all trades, master of none, as the saying goes.

I guess on the whole I would say that I decided to try writing as a means to earn some extra money, but it turned out to offer so much more. Writing online offers flexibility, instant writing rather than jotting down notes and needs little initial financial outlay except for needing to have a computer.

It has helped me keep track of new technological innovations, make many virtual friends and stretch my brain. As practise makes perfect it has greatly improved my writing skills. At least I hope it has. It has become a big part of my daily life. I use it as a means to unwind from my daily part-time work.

As I am approaching retirement I have seen and experienced so much over the years that in some ways I have a wealth of knowledge. That is true of all of us as we go through life. The Internet enables us to share our knowledge and experience with people around the world.

The Internet was the place I chose to write mainly because it is accessible, relatively free, non restrictive and World wide. I also liked the possibilty to remain anonymous when required or wanted. I have no delusions about being another Jane Austen or J K Rowling but enjoy putting my thoughts into words.

Now with two websites under my belt I have gone from blogger to webmaster. Who would have though it? Certainly not I.

If you think that it is easy to make a bundle of cash writing online you are mistaken. It could however be the hobby for you.

Well it is official. The UK economy is in a mess. We are currently experiencing the longest double-dip recession since records began in 1955. This can partly be blamed on the  global economic crisis, the previous Labour Government but primarily on the Coalition and its economic policies.

Continuing to blame it all on Labour is ridiculous. This government has been in power for more than two years now. Yes outside forces have contributed to the crisis but that was true when Labour were in government. The Tories in particular would not let that wash then so why should it now?

In truth there is so much causing negative effects in the UK such as the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and the EU financial meltdown. However the Coalition cannot expect to get off scot free. Chancellor Osborne's austerity measures, aimed at helping the rich and hitting the poor, have done nothing to help the economy.

On the whole the coalition's austerity package protects the wealthy and targets the disadvantaged. The banking fiasco of recent weeks has done noting to instill confidence in the UK banking system. The banking bonus revelations ensured that many people in the UK lost faith in "the system",

Heavy rain during late Spring and Early Summer has so far hit retail, tourism and more. The long Bank Holiday enjoyed during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee has been blamed for adding to our economic woes. As we the British tax payer were funding this extravagant nonsense it was only fair we were rewarded in some way. Building projects have also been hit by the dismal weather but surely these are all just excuses?

As the UK government lay the blame for the deepening economic crisis at every door but that of 10 Downing Street others have a different opinion.

The Labour opposition lay the blame squarely with the government and in particular Chancellor Osborne. The Unions also blame the government. Even the Institute of Directors want the Government t ease up on austerity.

If Osborne's stringent policies are not working why is he continuing with them? Could it be to satisfy a Tory manifesto with a hidden agenda rather than re-balancing the economy?

Talk to people at work or on the streets of the UK and you will find divided opinion on David Cameron's planned welfare reform. The majority of working people it seems believe that those on welfare are living the high life. In truth few if any are.

Mainstream media will always latch on to any family for instance that has a huge rent and massive family. Such a set of people will never be able to earn more than they receive in benefits unless they are extra special people. These cases however are few and far between. Highlighting the rarities belittles those who struggle to survive.

Living on benefit in the UK is not the soft option as it is often claimed. Those who claim that it is usually live on far more money. Welfare reform will hit the vulnerable, those with disabilities and the elderly in the UK. These are a soft options for the government to pick on.

So often when Government reform is underway someone somewhere along the line will be making money. Enter the private firms awarded multimillion-pound contracts to run the UK Work Programme. This program has already been shamed and hit by corruption yet the Coalition see the Work for Welfare program as a way forward.

Yesterday, June 30, 2012, the Guardian reported,
"Firms running the Work Programme have advised that there should be many more cases where claimants have their benefits stripped as punishment for failing to seek work. As part of its crackdown on welfare dependency, David Cameron's government has more than tripled the number of punishments enforced against failing jobseekers across all its schemes. The number of cases has risen from 139,000 benefit cuts under Labour in 2009 to more than 500,000 in 2011. Yet documents obtained by the research group Corporate Watch reveal how private firms on payment-by-result contracts have suggested that a much greater number of punishments should have been meted out to people on the Work Programme, a key part of the coalition's drive to "get Britain working".

In the first eight months of the government's flagship employment scheme, jobcentres agreed to cut benefits in about 40,000 cases. But figures contained in an internal Department for Work and Pensions analysis reveal private firms running the programs actually referred almost three times as many (110,000) for sanctions. And critics say jobcentres are gradually upping the number of those denied benefits."

You have to wonder how some people sleep at night. A welfare culture is wrong but what of those making themselves a fortune at the expense of the disadvantaged in the UK?

The UK Coalition is actively reducing jobs in the UK and ensuring that higher education is only available to a privileged few. It is then concentrating on reducing benefits to the unemployed. Those without work will face slave, free labour or no income. Not much of a choice, is it? Will this save the UK money? No of course not. Those companies operating the Work Programs will cost what is saved, and some. Will it help those people running these firms get rich? Yes of course it will. Cheap labour helps many people except for the workers. After all in the end it undermines those working for a normal salary. Pay cuts and a reduction in the minimum wage will have to follow.

Working people in the UK need to dig a little deeper than simply blaming their own poor income on the fact that the UK has a welfare state. There could be a time, for example, when through ill health we all need to utilise our welfare system. Once welfare is reformed and cut to the bone trhere will be no help for anyone.

Those who have profited from the economic crisis will be able to sit back on their fortunes earned at the expense of the poor, working and under classes. As long as we bicker amongst ourselves the fat cats will win.It is time to open your eyes and your ears and think outside of the box!

Tags: UK Work Programme, UK Work Program, welfare for work, UK welfare reform, UK politics, UK coalition reform

This week popular UK comedian Jimmy Carr has been in hot water. An almost throwaway comment regarding his taxes led to a lambasting by UK PM David Cameron.

Jimmy Carr had enjoyed a minimal tax rate by using the legal K2 tax avoidance scheme. The point is that he has not broken the law. His tax affairs have been open and above board in that Her Majesty's Inland Revenue Service knew of Carr's tax optimisation.

Prime Minster David Cameron weighed in, no doubt seeing a political opportunity. One were unbelievably he took the moral high ground.Carr has been a supporter of Labour in the past and his comedy act has poked fun at that elusive 1% in society who continue to prosper. Jimmy since this ridiculous farce has issued a statement apologising and stating that he will "mend his ways"

What is farcical is that Dodgy Dave has now refused to attack others, notably those who are his friends, who act in a similar way to Jimmy. Cameron's buddy Gary Barlow of Take That was awarded an honour in last week's Queen's birthday honours list. He and some of his band mates are in a similar position to Carr. Their tax avoidance scheme is under investigation.

Today June 21, 2012, Cameron has refused to name others. He says he will not make it personal, but surely he already has?

By singling out Jimmy Carr he has caused that man bad press and more. yet Carr has broken no law. If the tax avoidance scheme is wrong then Cameron is in a position to change it and close the loopholes. Of course he will not want to do that for fear it hits his own.

Since coming to office Cameron has proved that the Torie are no strangers to sleaze and wrong doing. This is why his "moral" attack on Carr galls. In the end Dave Cameron stated that Carr's use of a Jersey tax dodge scheme may have been legal but it was "morally wrong".

This opens a real can of worms. It seems he can make such a rash judgment of a person not allied to the Tories but is unable to do so to those who are. He is also an ineffective PM as he is unable to close loopholes which see vast sums of money leaving the UK and avoiding revenue. One thing Cameron lacks is consistency and another is the ability to think before he speaks.

And as for taking the moral high ground? Give me a break.