Snow problem? It could be worse.

A few weeks of cold weather and we complain that the country is grinding to a halt, that we're a mere nine meals away from anarchy.  To be honest I'm getting rather fed up with all the moaning now.  Of course the snow's been a problem.  Some people have, sadly, died, and others have found live very difficult.  Travel has been difficult for many, businesses have lost money, pensioners and those on low incomes will be struggling with higher heating bills.  But as this BBC website article shows, for those without homes, those who are already at the bottom of society and struggling to survive the snow has had a far more serious effect.

Charities are trying to cope, to provide temporary shelter, food and warmth.  This is hugely important, and saves lives, but in itself it doesn't solve the problem.  It's a bit like giving first aid at an accident site; there might have been ways that what happened could have been prevented, if help had been available and accessible at the right time; and further care will be needed for a recovery to be made. Spending public money on schemes to get people off the streets and into homes and work isn't glamorous, but is important.

I'm no expert, but I imagine that the recession will have meant there are higher than average numbers of people sleeping rough as a result of job losses and family stress (often exacerbated by financial difficulties).  The inadequacies of the benefit system will probably not have helped.  At the same time let's be thankful that in this country we do have a welfare system, or the situation could be so much worse!

I think there's also a problem that we as a society value independence very highly.  We don't like the idea of having to be dependent on other people, so perhaps we're less sympathetic to those who are in need of help.  Since a large proportion of the population have had to 'tighten their belts' (most only metaphorically) recently I think there's been a lot of people saying 'we don't want to pay more in taxes, or for the government to spend more, even to help other people.'  While that's understandable it's also a bit selfish.  I imagine it's generally said by those people fortunate enough never to have been jobless for long periods of time, or who've never been made homeless because family tensions mean they have to leave home, but can't afford to get their own place.  We're quick to blame someone in this situation.

Perhaps this problem of valuing independence is evidence that the old divisions in British politics between Left and Right are not quite dead after all.  The socialist idea of a welfare community sounds nice, but costs money.  Ahead of this year's election the Conservatives are starting to sound more like the Tory party of old, stating for example that children's success has nothing to do with wealth or poverty, but only parenting skills.  Given recent news stories complaining that opportunities to get into the top careers are mostly only available to the children of wealthy parents (the ability to undertake unpaid internships, for example) that sounds a bit hollow to me.  A lack of stability, bad parenting and material poverty are usually, or at least often, linked, surely.

Not that other parties, or anyone, has all the answers.  But like I think sometimes we can all forget the poverty on our own doorstep in favour of causes that are somehow 'cooler' like aid for famine struck African countries, or the victims of earthquakes and cyclones.  There is so much suffering in the world, so much that needs to be done.  Compared to all that perhaps needing to wear an extra jumper or the airport being closed isn't such a big deal.