Should the Government have the right to say teen mums can't spend their benefit on cigarettes and alcohol?

By Bee Nezz

The ignorance never ceases to amaze me.. Most of the people who have commented negatively towards this issue, have probably been supported all their lives on mummy or daddy's financial position.. I just hope hard times never happen for these people, because 'they' are normally the ones who cry ' Injustice' ..Think about it, you'll have a difference of an opinion if it happened to YOU.. There are more important issues to contend with..Bring the trivial matters forward, while the real important issues are being twisted behind our backs..

By tony

What I meant was that he understands how to make money from the markets - how to rip them off for his own purposes. He is letting the dollar get so high that it will send our exporters offshore - but it suits him because it will keep petrol prices down in the run up to the election. He's damaging the country, in effect ripping us off, in order to win the election. Of course he knows that he should be tough on parasites like Warren Buffet - but the problem is that he IS one - currency trading is exactly how he made his 50 mil. So he's not going to get hard on them, even though it's the right thing to do. I meant it's not very smart to put the fox in charge of the henhouse, if you want to keep the eggs coming for the long term good. No, the fox will just eat the chickens for a one off benefit then just bugger off with a full stomach. That's whats happening with the asset sales - sell them off to his short term benefit, then he'll be gone and we'll be poor tenants in our own country forever.
And yeah, it's nuts to pay teenagers to have kids, and smoke and drink alcohol and take drugs, on taxpayer money. What's more stupid than that!!!!!

By Takere

Yeah Right! - Tony. If he did understand maybe he should listen to his Kamatua(s) - Warren Buffet & George Soros "Increase the taxes on the rich, they can afford it"! But no, no, bottom-feed, lowest hanging fruit is an easier target that can't fight back! Gutless predator! Sack Key & the Nat's in November!!

By tony

John Key understands the financial markets like a fox understands a henhouse..
But no, they shouldn't be allowed to waste taxpayer money on damaging luxuries. Food stamps or equivalent are a good idea

By Takere

You all seem to be missing the point! Key & Paula are now say it's not a big problem?? They've got their numbers wrong!! Good example of Incompetence. "RED HERRING"!! The real problem and solution is JOBS JOBS JOBS! Oh they haven't created an economic (0.8% growth) environment to provide the private sector the opportunity to EMPLOY people! THIS ISSUE IS JUST A SYMPTOM!! The "CAUSE" is HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT be- "CAUSE" OF a shit Government! Sack Key in November!!

By Colin

Its a good place to start.The DPB is not a career choice. I also agree that accommodation should be paid directly, it would stop an awfull lot of people getting into debt and then into the system it would work for the hard working landlords as well. Food stamps are also fine maybe offer some incentive for healthier food options no booze or tobbacco. .

By lia

These girls need to get into training as early as possible and be required to work or they will become unemployable.In reality very few women get the choice to be stayhome mums. Two incomes are needed to run most households. Why should they be the exception? Smoking is a bad idea in both pregnancey and so is alcohol. We are always told that the benefit is not enough to live on so how can they afford cigerettes and alcohol? They need work and achievment for their own self esteem and to be great role models for their child.No one is suggesting they go to work or training straight after birth but a lifelong career of having children and living on a benefit is not good for either the mother or child

By Takere

A bit rich Lynne. Your obviously delusional too!