Honest and decency is redundant |
Mr David Benson-Pope is (was) the Labour Party's Minister of Social Welfare (Rorts) |
Mr Benson-Pope Minister of Social Welfare The Beehive Wellington. 4/7/07 Re Winz (Work & Income NZ) Upper Hutt I wish to draw your attention to the fraudulent behaviour of the WINZ office in Upper Hutt. The system they operate is blatantly corrupt and discriminates against and persecutes honest people simply because they can. If it hadn't happened to, me, I would have never believed it possible. I suggest you deal with this matter yourself and not pass the buck to an Associate Minister in an attempt to avoid your personal responsibilities. In December last year I suffered a heart attack and needed a bypass operation. Read about it here. Naturally I couldn't work and signed on the for the sickness benefit. I had been on the dole a few years ago but had signed off as soon as I managed to get work. These are the only experiences I have had with the welfare system. I guess I was naive and thought officialdom could be trusted. After explaining my circumstances when applying for the dole, I was advised by the case manager to say I was a single man paying $100 a week board to the landlady. This was true (I'm not married and didn't fancy the landlady) and I didn't see anything wrong. There was no intention to defraud the system. I assumed the dole was designed to assist people out of work. When I signed on for the sickness benefit in Jan this year, the young girl asked my circumstances and proposed I fill in the form in the way she suggested. I had no reason to mistrust her opinion and willingly obliged. I had to supply bank account numbers and prove mortgage payments and power costs etc. She ticked that everything I had done was correct and signed her name. I recall her failing to look me in the eye but thought nothing of it at the time. Four months later I stopped the benefit because I was feeling well enough to start work again. I do not like being dependent on welfare but after 49 years of paying taxes, employing people and getting absolutely nothing in return, I do not regard myself as a welfare cheat. Sadly, after a while the work dropped off and living on nothing proved a bit awkward. In due course my doctor said she would give me a benefit application form suggesting I was able to work 20 hours a week. I made an appointment at the Upper Hutt Winz office but had to wait a few days before anyone was available. This seemed strange because the office had been recently expanded despite the number off beneficiaries allegedly reducing. There were many staff members sitting around twiddling their thumbs. At the meeting I made it plain to Laura Anderson I was more interested in employment opportunities than obtaining handouts. Then a skinny young lady, Shar, rudely interrupted and demanded to know my living circumstances. I said I lived in an equal financial sharing partnership with a lady. As Shar was the girl who signed off my original sickness application, I couldn't see that there was any sort of a problem. But then Shar accused me of cheating the system. It made me scratch my head because I had done nothing wrong and if I had made a mistake, why had she allowed the original application four months before? As bureaucrats never accept responsibility for their own actions, I began to wonder if I were being setup to cover for her mistakes or misjudgements? As far as I am aware, the sickness benefit is designed to assist people who are unable to work because of illness. Surely a heart attack could be regarded as an appropriate illness? A week later I asked Laura Anderson how I had supposedly cheated the system? She turned red and stammered a little. Apparently the rules or thinking had changed or interpreted wrongly, and sharing a home with an unmarried lady was tantamount to having endless sex (would I be so lucky) which Winz regards as deliberately defrauding the system. She then explained that getting a benefit if one partner was working, was more or less impossible. If the worker earned more than $550 a gross a week, no payment was allowed. However, there was a secret calculation that reduced the amount even further. This meant that if one partner earned the minimum wage, the other partner failed to qualify for a benefit. Government had lied by promising a benefit if you're are unable to work but then wormed its way out of the obligation by playing with numbers. It's theft, and making theft legal, doesn't make it honest. A rort is still a rort. I wonder how many other rorts Winz operates? Then a young Maori man arrived and described himself as an investigator or auditor. He more or less accused me of having a heart attack so I could cheat the benefit system. Was he part of the setup? I'm always a little suspicious of people who insist they know everything and presume their biassed opinion is irrefutable truth. The arrogant young man then stated that I would be investigated and made to pay all the benefit money back. I could also be arrested and charged with fraud and possibly jailed. Laura Anderson was most upset at his unfounded accusations and said while she couldn't permit a new benefit (remember I was looking for work, not money) she could arrange payment to help with the mortgage etc. She agreed that the reason dole numbers had reduced, was because people were not qualifying because of the deceitful rules. Even the young man said he didn't agree with the rules. But we all know what happened to the guards on Hitler's death camps who insisted they were only doing their jobs. As I was being persecuted for being honest, I said forget the whole bloody thing and left before I lost my temper and broke the boy's neck. I felt like shoving a tennis ball down his over opinionated throat. Later that day I placed the matter in the hands of the Benefit Education Service Trust (BEST). BEST has made arrangements to get a copy of my Winz file. I have since found out from a number of sources, including ex Winz employees, that Upper Hutt Winz was not known for their intelligence or honesty and that they keep changing the rules to suit their own arguments. I fail to see, Mr Benson-Pope, that at the age of 62, why I should have to put up with a load of crap from a bunch of mindless morons. I suggest you arrange for Winz to employ more mature people because the mentally immature cannot relate to older people. It would appear that most of the Upper Hutt staff are from the one Maori family. They're young, poorly dressed and very much overweight. It is interesting to note the branch has a resident security guard. I suggest Winz employ armed soldiers because if they keep on being so bloody arrogant, sooner or later the anticipated violence will start. It's the combination of little things that finally breaks the camel's back and start public backlashes. I know you politicians live in a fantasy world, but NZ society is just about at the end of its tether as the country is no longer a viable place to live or work. When it's made public that Winz is operating a financial rort, don't blame me for what happens. (Viable article here) International businessmen Faye & Richwhite are angels compared to the legalised criminal actions of your faceless bureaucrats inspired by dubious political agendas. However, if you allow me to be persecuted for being honest. I will make sure it cost you big dollars in court costs. The NZ justice system is similar to Winz in that it is designed to perpetuate employment for those involved within the system. Commonsense, honesty, truth and decency are ignored in the name of self interest. I will have a lot of fun wasting your money exploiting your system. The worst that can happen is a few months free board and lodgings in the clink. It would be an interesting experience and could make a best-selling novel. It could also be part of an international TV doco I have been asked to write and produce. Please note the following. My heart attack had put off my return to Adult Literacy teaching for the local Read Write Plus. As my volunteer work was unpaid and time consuming, I have most conveniently run out of both time and charitable urges. My allegedly sex-crazed partner and I will no longer trudge the streets collecting annual donations for the Arthritis Foundation. No more time or money will be donated to any charity. I will cease advising people to store water and food in case of natural disasters. I will stop my 30 years of playing scribe to the local Asian and Indian community. If I can encourage others to cheat the tax or benefit system, I will. I will definitely not vote for a Labour Government and will give sound reasons why they should be regarded as corrupt and incompetent. My friend and I will stop trying to be good citizens and treat all authorities with the respect they deserve. In conclusion. Consider the following. Two same sex people are flatmates and share all the costs. According to the Winz interpretations, they are having sex and thus not allowed a benefit if one becomes unemployed or sick. The presumption is illogical and unprovable but warped rules gives Winz the right to discriminate. SICK SICK SICK! As it is quite obvious that Winz operates in an inappropriate manner and are trying to blame me for their own actions. Consequently I want nothing further to do with your department's corrupt fantasies. As at the time of signing, both my benefit applications were appropriate and sanctioned by Winz employees. I sincerely hope you comprehend that if you stroll the Broadway of Arrogance, don't expect the traffic to stop for you. You can guarentee one thing. With Winz cheating the public on such a large scale. Don't expect me to back the KiwiSaver scheme. No doubt when D Day arrives, the public will find their money has been used for something else. |
 |
A short audio Here. |
Buried head bucket |
? |
Letter from Hon David Benson-Pope 12/7/07 The Minister ffor Social Developement and Employment, Hon David Benson-Pope, has asked me to acknowledge your email of 11July 2007 regarding your dealings with the Work and Income Upper Hutt. Consideration is currently being given to the matters you raise in your email and you may expect a reply at the Minister's earliest opportunity. (The 12th of Never?) Sione Siale, Private Secretary, Social Development. (Social Oppression?) |
The minister ignored my first email of 4/7/07. The above letter is bureaucratic nonsense
and designed to tell me the minister is leaping into action on my behalf.
No doubt he hopes that as time passes I will forget that his government and
massively increasing bureaucracy is destroying New Zealand. Organised crime is
harmless compared to corrupt officialdom. "The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.": Georges Bernanos |
"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." Tacitus |
In times of war the politicians have no trouble finding the money to build weapons
of mass destruction and demand the people give their lives for the nation. But
in peace time if a person falls ill or is unemployed, the politicians go out
of their way to deny welfare. Don't ask me to fight for NZ. |
Have you ever seen a politician that did anything sensible? |
18/7/07. Had a knock on the door from an ex policeman named Phil Frost. He now works
for WINZ as an investigator. He handed me a piece of paper and demanded I answer
his questions. I didn't read the paper until after he left. He told me I
was wrong by stating that Winz was corrupt but naturally forgets where his paycheck
comes from. I told him to "prove" his allegations. I also made it quite plain
that I wasn't prepared to answer any questions and would he please leave. I
stated that there was nothing personal but please "F" off. Much to my suprise
he nodded and left. The piece of paper reads as follows. I am an investigator working for Work and Income. We have received information about your benefit entitlement and I am here to talk to you about this. You are not obliged to see me now and I will only enter your house with your permission. You can ask me to leave at any time. If you prefer, we can arrange a later time to discuss this matter at a location suitable to both of us.You are able to have a support person with you if you wish. If you are interested, Phil Frost's phone number is NZ 04- 9137106. One ponders the next move. No doubt Winz have experienced this before and there will be a work manual ten miles thick on what to do next. Come to think if it, according to Winz, I don't have any benefit entitlement. So what the hell are they bitching about? |
The rule of decency does not apply in NZ, only the rule of legal corruption.
Broughton |
I was just thinking. It seems that WINZ largely employes very young people without experience
in life. This means they can be brainwashed (institutionalised) with the modern style of bureaucratic
mindlessness. They are taught only what the system wants them to know
and lack the gumption to learn for themselves. Indeed, it could be said that
if they had the ability to think for themselves, there's no place for them in
today's public service. About thirty years ago one needed an above average intelligence
to be employed by government but today the situation is reversed. This
means what historic commonsense regards as corruption and dishonesty, means absolutely
nothing to today's employees. They simply don't know the difference between
right and wrong. And in their eye, they're right and I'm wrong. Me telling the truth doesn't matter, their imagined scenario fits the WINZ
manual of corrupt stupidity, therefore an innocent member of the public can be
prosecuted. All I can say is thank God I've had offers to live in other countries
utilising my radio, writing and video producing experience. In case you're interested,
this story of official incompetence goes out on American radio 5 nights
a week. All those involved are named. Today 23/7/07, Benson-Pope is currently in the crap for the third time and the PM will make a decision as to his future. Sadly the public (me) will be ignored as politics comes before commonsense, honesty
and decency. So I may have to make a few loud noises to get heard. Don't forget one thing. The injustice that is happening to me, can easily happen
to you. It's called democracy? |
On behalf of John Key, Leader of the Opposition, I acknowledge receipt of your email
of 11 July. Your experiences with WINZ, as outlined in your web site,
are noted. A copy of your email has been forwarded on for the consideration
of National's Welfare spokeswoman, Judith Collins. I apologise for the delay
in this response, which is due to the large volume of electronic and postal mail
received by Mr Key since becoming Leader of the National Party. Yours sincerely Lesley Herbert Executive Assistant 25/7/07 |
Hopefully something sensible will happen. Now that Benson-Pope has gone, Labour will be scratching to find talented people. Labour's track record of ministers is far from impressive but one can only hope for
the best. I'm afraid that my problem will be forgotten in the ego driven
battle that will follow Benson-Pope's dumping. It's sad but NZ has a history
of politicians ignoring public interest now that self interest has become politically
acceptable. |
One must be positive about being negative |
I was just thinking. Politicians acknowledge complaints about the system but
rarely do anything to fix the problems outlined. After all, there's a tacit law
against challenging the "system." Private members of the public are sacrificed because they don't matter and the loss
of one vote is irrelevant in the scheme of things. The support of the thousands of non thinking "Yes MInister" bureaucrats are more important and their votes are regarded as payment for their
employment at above average wages. But if for example I go to jail for being honest, it will cost the system $92.000 a year to keep me locked up. Yet the cost of the sickness benefit because of my heart attack was $226 a week for 4 months. Am I wrong by suggesting that ten cents worth of bureaucratic
commonsense would solve everybody's problem? But then again, have you ever
seen a politician or bureaucrat understand commonsense, honesty and decency? Have you ever wondered why 800 talented people are leaving NZ every week? Have
you wondered why our health system is at crisis point? Have you wondered why
our manufacturing businesses are moving offshore? Have you ever wondered the insanity of political correctness? If you haven't
wondered why things are going wrong, maybe you are one of the Jackass Mentality
much loved by politicians for your lack of thinking ability? The
choice is yours and so are the risks. .Guess who pays for everything, and it's not the government? PS Almost a month after requesting my file from Upper Hutt Winz, BEST is still waiting a reply. The law states WINZ has 20 days to comply. More bureaucratic incompetence? |
The plot thickens. Today 4/8/07 I got this letter from BEST. Re Application for your file On the 29th June 2007. As requested we made application on your behalf, to Work & Income Upper Hutt, requesting a copy of your file. We regret to advise that BEST. Hutt Valley Education Service Trust has been unable to obtain your file from Work & Income. If you reqire any Information regarding yourself. We suggest that you should make an appointent with Work & Income, to discuss any matters that concern you. Regrettably we have not been able to obtain your file, but if we can help you, in any other way please feel free to contact us. Paul Pearson Advocate I was just thinking. BEST is a volunteer organisation set up to assist people having trouble with WINZ and I don't think they are trying to turn their back on me. I wouldn't mind betting that WINZ is in deep water over they way they have treated me and trying to paint themselve with whitewash using the biggest brush they can find. What I would like to see is a letter from WINZ admitting they've been dammed stupid and lets forget the whole bloody thing. But naturally that will never happen. Have you ever seen a bureaucrat admit making a mistake? It's easier to prosecute me for their actions by passing the buck and letting the Justice system (another government department) hound me to death. Then they can wash their hands of me and say justice must be seen to be done. All I can say to the politicians who will do their best to ignore me, stop and think why revolutions occur? Why are talented people leaving NZ in droves? Etc and so on................ And no! I don't trust the NZ Justice System. |
It has just occured to me that in a couple of years I will qualify for the old age
pension. This will be most upsetting for the "Experts" because they work on the
assumption that my death by 65 is essential to allow them to steal my more than
50 years of contributions to the pension fund. No doubt if I live longer they will dream up ways of making things awkward.
If for example my motor mower is over 25 years old, this will allow them to refuse
part of my pension. If I own a cat, this will be regarded as an excuse to deny my pension completely. And if I lived in the same house as an unmarried lady, my God, they'll demand I pay
them so much a week. I'm afraid NZ government is far from honest when it comes
to fulfilling their obligations. Yet they demand and expect the public to be
honest. In all honesty I think I deserve to have Trauma Incident Team camped on my
doorstep. I might need traumatisation or something? |
The publicity about the aboriginees in Australia is highly relevant to NZ. The underclass
of Maori lack education, jobs and on many ocassions experience in life,
yet the authorities still treat them like shit! Denied benefits, because the
experts want to control every aspect of their lives, the only outlet they've got
is booze and drugs and child abuse is the inevitable result. Perhaps another example that 10 cents worth of commonsense might help solve the problem? Violent civil unrest is merely bubbles of air riding on a current of
discontent. |
Hon Steve Maharey, M.P. for Palmerston North Dear Sir I am writing in response to your email of 4 July 2007 to my predecessor, Hon David Benson-Pope MP, about Work and Income. The Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development, who has responsibility for Work and Income, has looked into this matter on my behalf. The recollections of the staff members involved in the events you raise, and the records they made at the times of the various interviews and discussions, are quite different to what you say in your letter. I am not sure that there would be any value in going through the "I said, he said" scenarios. The Chief Executive would like to stress that he has high expectations of staff, and the Ministry provides intensive and extensive training to ensure as far as possible, that staff have a thorough knowledge of benefits, and that clients are treated with courtesy, respect and good manners. On occasions, unfortunately, standards might slip a little and Service Centre Managers are responsible for the frequent and ongoing monitoring and retraining or other measures to provide clients with the level of service they are entitled to, and can expect to receive. With regard to your relationship with your land lady, I would like to assure you that Integrity Services must follow set policies and procedures when investigating possible benefit fraud. The authority for investigations is contained in Section 11 of the Social Security Act. As this section gives delegated staff wide and far reaching authority, investigations must follow a Code of Conduct agreed to by the Privacy Commissioner and myself. This is a very difficult area to find a balance, when on one hand there are those who believe there is not enough done to deter benefit fraud, while on the other hand there are those who say that the Ministry can be too harsh. Some clients do feel that they have been identified unfairly for investigation. However, the Ministry's investigators need to take action if there is any suspicion that a person is not entitled to payment. I have been told that your case has been closed by Wellington Integrity Services, as it is not considered warranted to continue an investigation into your circumstances. Thank vou for raising your concerns with me. Steve Maharey Acting Minister for Social Oppression and Creative Unemployment |
Well well. What can one say? What on earth does Wellington Integrity Services mean?
Did the minister really expect his staff to agree with me? Their only thought
is to protect their butts. But where integrity really matters, it's completely
missing. What is the point in having various benefits and then inventing ways
to disallow them? Does the Welfare system have any integrity at all? But thank you anyway Mr Maharey. |
and............ The following arrived dated 23 August 2007 As you are aware we have been reviewing your past entitlement to your Sockness Benefit and Unemployment Benefit. I am now writing to conform that we have now completed our inquiries. These inquiries have not resulted in any changes to your previous benefits by our unit. I am aware your benefit was stopped. You are invited to apply for any other assistance you may be legally entitle to. If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact me on 04-9137-106. Yours sincerely Phil Frost |
ps I stopped the benefit because I thought honesty was the best policy. |
It's called a backdown? |