So, a lot of people are saying that the government's ludicrous 'Work Programme' is a piece of crap. I am one of them. It has been created by the clueless (at best), is operated by the incompetent, and does little for anyone. Bear in mind, also, that the companies running this are paid on results. As they are not even achieving the low standards that were set, they will receive less funding next year. Yeah, you see the problem, don't you? If they can't make the grade now, how will they do it next year with less money and fewer resources? They will be adding to the jobless figures, surely.

Trying to PROVE the point is difficult but, below is a prime example of why the scheme is not working.

This is a screenshot from the new Jobseekers' registration at the Direct Gov website. What we have here is the account registration page. Jobseekers have to register an account before they can look for a job. You have to fill in the usual blurb then, click the 'I agree' gubbins. Pretty standard stuff.

The thing is, you have to click the box to agree to complete the MANDATORY Equality questionnaire.

Yeah. You see where I'm going with this...

If it is mandatory, agreement is irrelevant. You have to do it, whether you agree or, not. If you don't, you cannot move on. However, when you click on the '?' next to the statement a box pops up (the one shown in the screenshot).

This pop-up box informs you that you can choose 'Prefer not to say' as your selection.

So, let me get this straight. To register an account, you have to complete the mandatory form but, on that form, you can choose not to answer?

This may sound like a trivial point but, as an Instructional Designer, I know a little bit about this stuff. This is the registration page; the first page you come to on this site. A mixed message is being given. That is unacceptable. I would not have let that out of the building. As for the rest of the site, if you're already registered with Monster, Job Site, Job Search et al, for alerts, this just duplicates everything.

I suspect someone will argue that it is useful information to know that someone chose not to answer the Equality questions.

No, it isn't. Knowing that someone chose not to answer is about as much use as asking me if they like badgers. You need to know, at least, WHY they chose to not answer. Besides, I was under the impression that my ethnicity was of no relevance so, why do you want to know? Let's face it, you should already know pretty much everything about me, as you have my NI number!

And, that is why the government's scheme is not working. Like everything else this government is doing, either no one has thought it through or, like the review of disability payments, this isn't about about helping people back to work, if it is about keeping track of people, trying to catch them out, so that their benefits can be stopped. Either way, it's not good; our government is either lying or, incompetent.

Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder

30th November 2012

Do you have to be a cretin to enter politics or, is it that you get lobotomised once they count the rigged votes?

What this country needs is an end to the current political system. Get rid of these chinless assholes. If these tossers had to send their CVs in to apply for these positions, they wouldn't get the job so, why should we let them ruin our country?

                            WE DIDN'T EVEN VOTE THIS ASSHAT INTO POWER!

                                       WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT HIM NOW!

"Oh, you're so wrong. You're violent and want to return to the old days, like Chairman Mao"

No! You're an idiot! Shut up!

I grew up in the 70s. It was far from perfect. I had a few slaps, a hell of a lot of blackboard rubbers and chalk thrown at me and, yes, I got a clip round the ear from a copper, more than once. What's more, I deserved every single one of those reprimands.

Did I beat the shit out of my children?

No. But, I didn't allow them to behave badly in public, either. I may just kick your ass, though.

How did my children turn out? More sense, more ability, and more potential than I had.

What this country needs is common sense. I know some people still have it. I talk to people and no one I have talked to believes in this government. EVERYONE, I would wager, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, believes this government to be corrupt and untrustworthy.

                        SO, WHY ARE WE PUTTING UP WITH THESE MORONS?

I'm with The Beserker. Time to get Icelandic on our 'leaders' and return some dignity to the UK. In 2009, the Icelandic people turned on their leaders and overthrew it's government.

What? You didn't know?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/world/europe/27iceland.html

Yep. Really.

So, here's the short version of what happened in Iceland:

• The entire Government was forced to resign.
• The Bank was nationalised.
• A referendum was held so that people could decide their economic policies.
• The lying, cheating scum bags responsible, ended up in prison.
• The constitution was re-written, by the people.

Although we will have to wait and see how it turns out, Iceland's future is looking pretty rosy, right now. Meanwhile, we are being raped by the unelected Scameron and his evil posse of slime monsters and Bliar is the peace envoy for the war he created with his lies and duplicity.

You really want to change things? How badly do you want it?

Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder

24th November 2012

Fluoride. It's all the stupidity of the modern world rolled into one, convenient, pile of crap. It is an ongoing, almighty argument.

Now, take a step back. It is something that really, should not be an issue. The fact that it is our leaders, effectively, poisoning us, is just the tip of the iceberg.

But, fluoride is good for teeth.

No, there is no scientific evidence to prove that. The fluoride they put into the water supply is a man made chemical.

It makes our teeth whiter.

Actually, no, it doesn't. It has never been proven that it does anything of the sort. IT may help to prevent cavities but, if a cavity has already formed, it makes matters worse. See, the thing is, it was always assumed that in medieval times everyone had rotten teeth. Not, actually true, when you think about it. There were no refined sugars back then, which is what causes most tooth decay.

So, ask yourself: Why do they put fluoride in the water?

Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder

24th November 2012