{∅, {∅}, {∅, {∅}}} : Rage Against the Meat Grinder

Danes Rethink a Welfare State Ample to a Fault (New York Times)

Robert Nielsen, 45, made headlines last September when he was interviewed on television, admitting that he had basically been on welfare since 2001.

Mr. Nielsen said he was able-bodied but had no intention of taking a demeaning job, like working at a fast-food restaurant. He made do quite well on welfare, he said. He even owns his own co-op apartment.

Unlike Carina, who will no longer give interviews, Mr. Nielsen, called “Lazy Robert” by the news media, seems to be enjoying the attention. He says that he is greeted warmly on the street all the time. “Luckily, I am born and live in Denmark, where the government is willing to support my life,” he said.

Some Danes say the existence of people like Carina and Mr. Nielsen comes as no surprise. Lene Malmberg, who lives in Odsherred and works part time as a secretary despite a serious brain injury that has affected her short-term memory, said the Carina story was not news to her. At one point, she said, before her accident when she worked full time, her sister was receiving benefits and getting more money than she was.

“The system is wrong somehow, I agree,” she said. “I wanted to work. But she was a little bit: ‘Why work?’ ”

I think Drift (of the whywork.org forums) was just brutally honest:

I've done the education and working thing and I've dropped out for good.

This morning I went to see the doctor to renew my sick note for Incapacity Benefit (IB). I predicted it would be tough and I wasn't wrong. When I told him I couldn't face going back to work - ever, he became sceptical. "You agree that people feel better when they're in work than when they're not," he said. When I showed doubt he actually said, "I want you to agree with me!" I persisted, telling him that I had not felt better in work. After a further exchange I said that, on balance, I would rather be homeless. "If you would rather be homeless than in work there must be something wrong," he said. Only when I agreed to go to the psychiatric service for counselling did he give me a sick note. On the way out I heard him go, "Tsh!"

Either he thinks I'm scamming it or mentally ill.

I think in further meetings with counsellors or Jobcentre interviewers I'll use stronger language, for example, that I find work intolerable to the point that the thought of having to get a job makes me suicidal (which is true).

Even if I am ultimately refused IB I will never have a job again, whatever the cost.

Such honesty is refreshing.