I found an interesting quote in an email today. It's attributed to Thomas Jefferson although there is some uncertainty that they are his words  - regardless they are worthy of attention

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not” (See http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=4053 re the authenticity issue)

Some more on it at http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/democracy-will-cease-to-exist-quotation with another Jefferson comment "To take from one, because it is thought that his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, -€˜the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry, & the fruits acquired by it."

I'm not quote sure if those were supposed to be Jefferson's words or a translation by Jefferson of another's words.

I'm certainly not feeling much free exercise of my industry and the fruits acquired by it with around half my gross pay going without me having any real say in how it's used.


I've written to the ombudsman today, no great confidence that they can or will change anything for me but I'd hate to let this go on longer than it needs to by ignoring a possibility. If nothing else if enough people do so they may get an understanding of where so called Child Support legislation fails and provide advice to the government to make some changes which could make it a lot fairer.

The lack of any fairness provisions in Child Support enforcement is really frustrating.

I'm certainly travelling a lot better than I was initially, some extra hours in place to make some more income  and I've cut out some expenses  (one PT session a week rather than two, mig gas bottle returned, avoiding the tunnel on the way home and putting up with Valley traffic and a few other bit's and pieces). Things like some home repairs will have to wait for a while longer. I'm doing a fitness challenge with a team at work which is helping with motivation for exercise which had dropped off badly after this all started. My work life balance has been impacted badly by some of the changes but I hope on balance that's better than the alternative.