Socially Secured-and the kids?
On Friday, I heard on the radio that the premium grants, for each child scolarised (that means going to school) had already been paid, some 2 weeks earlier than normal, to all the families concerned.
This "aid" is for each child, and is to the tune of over 200 euros per child. It is intended to be used for the purchase of Satchels, school books etc.. etc..
INTENDED!As soon as I heard this report, I knew where I would find my neighbour and his wife over this weekend, and I wasn't wrong!
Starting on the Saturday morning, early, there they were - imparting their gems of wisdom to all and sundry- on the terrace of the local bar/cafe! Drinks for all were NOT in short supply, and the voice of the wife got louder and louder as time went by!
The Sunday was just a continuation of the same. Where the 4 kids concerned found themselves remains a mystery, right up to the moment I'm writing this!
Now-I used to enjoy the"cafe/bar" life myself, but neither I, nor my wife, received the blessing (and the financial aid) of the state to frequent these places!
No doubt the satchels, pens and pencils, exercise books etc from last year (or the years before) were considered adequate, or a further request for financial aid had been made, this time at Departmental level (there are little or no controls made).
Doubtless there are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar cases up and down France and Europe, but this one is near to home, and is quite fascinating,
You have to know that neither of the parents concerned work, and they refuse to work for a "patron/boss", saying that either they are the bosses (working for themselves) or they won't work at all.
The reason is simple, when they work for themselves, they get all sorts of State help, and they don't declare their business, thus not obliged to pay Taxes!
Roughly every 2 years, another infant is brought into this world, a sort of financial reserve!
What a wonderful system, and my neighbours are the first to complain, loudly, although their rent, social security, health insurance (private if you please) are all paid by the Social Security!
Not enough according to them, and they let everyone know their opinion.
They have 2 cars, but feel that the State should furnish them with a newer, larger ,transporter style one - after all "We are a large family"- growing all the while! I dare say they have some sort of arrangement with some State department somewhere for the payment of Insurance, tax, repairs of said vehicles, and - who knows - for the filling of them, with the now so-expensive petrol.
Feed the kids? They've got crisps, peanuts, the occasional Macdonald's or deep frozen chicken nuggets! After all, one has to prepare the future recipients of Hospital treatment.
Mum and Dad smoke like factory chimny's, at home and elsewhere, with the price of a packet being roughly the price of a dozen sets of pens and pencils.
"We do our best in these difficult times, but we get so little help" - this between deep slurps on their beer/wine/pastis etc, with interspersed fits of coughing!
Seems to me the only people helped by these payments are the bar/cafe owners!
I hear the voices getting louder again - so I'll close this grouse/complaint now. Maybe they'll offer me at beer - At the State's charge!
This "aid" is for each child, and is to the tune of over 200 euros per child. It is intended to be used for the purchase of Satchels, school books etc.. etc..
INTENDED!As soon as I heard this report, I knew where I would find my neighbour and his wife over this weekend, and I wasn't wrong!
Starting on the Saturday morning, early, there they were - imparting their gems of wisdom to all and sundry- on the terrace of the local bar/cafe! Drinks for all were NOT in short supply, and the voice of the wife got louder and louder as time went by!
The Sunday was just a continuation of the same. Where the 4 kids concerned found themselves remains a mystery, right up to the moment I'm writing this!
Now-I used to enjoy the"cafe/bar" life myself, but neither I, nor my wife, received the blessing (and the financial aid) of the state to frequent these places!
No doubt the satchels, pens and pencils, exercise books etc from last year (or the years before) were considered adequate, or a further request for financial aid had been made, this time at Departmental level (there are little or no controls made).
Doubtless there are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar cases up and down France and Europe, but this one is near to home, and is quite fascinating,
You have to know that neither of the parents concerned work, and they refuse to work for a "patron/boss", saying that either they are the bosses (working for themselves) or they won't work at all.
The reason is simple, when they work for themselves, they get all sorts of State help, and they don't declare their business, thus not obliged to pay Taxes!
Roughly every 2 years, another infant is brought into this world, a sort of financial reserve!
What a wonderful system, and my neighbours are the first to complain, loudly, although their rent, social security, health insurance (private if you please) are all paid by the Social Security!
Not enough according to them, and they let everyone know their opinion.
They have 2 cars, but feel that the State should furnish them with a newer, larger ,transporter style one - after all "We are a large family"- growing all the while! I dare say they have some sort of arrangement with some State department somewhere for the payment of Insurance, tax, repairs of said vehicles, and - who knows - for the filling of them, with the now so-expensive petrol.
Feed the kids? They've got crisps, peanuts, the occasional Macdonald's or deep frozen chicken nuggets! After all, one has to prepare the future recipients of Hospital treatment.
Mum and Dad smoke like factory chimny's, at home and elsewhere, with the price of a packet being roughly the price of a dozen sets of pens and pencils."We do our best in these difficult times, but we get so little help" - this between deep slurps on their beer/wine/pastis etc, with interspersed fits of coughing!
Seems to me the only people helped by these payments are the bar/cafe owners!
I hear the voices getting louder again - so I'll close this grouse/complaint now. Maybe they'll offer me at beer - At the State's charge!
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