Atos sponsoring the Paralympics when its benefit tests are a sick joke is an insult to disabled people
By 
Heroes: Tommie Smith and John Carlos with raised fist salutes
Is it too much to hope that a British medal winner emulates American heroes Tommie Smith and John Carlos with a raised fist salute at the London 2012 Paralympic Games? Probably.
The black power salute of the US athletes in Mexico 44 years ago was a magnificent stand against human rights abuses, a protest against poverty and the abuse of black Americans as second-class citizens.
Here in Britain the David Cameron who will quite rightly hail Paralympian champions is also the David Cameron who makes disabled people the fall guys for his failed agenda of austerity recession economics.
If hypocrisy was a London 2012 sport, the Prime Minister would win gold.
People are dying after being passed fit to work in a benefit crackdown that stigmatises the ill and disabled.
Alice Maynard, chair of the charity Scope, tells of people shouting “scrounger” at disabled people in the street.
The abuse is getting worse, with two-thirds telling the group they’ve endured taunts, hostility or outright aggression.
Only about 0.5% of disability living allowance claims are found to be fraudulent when checked.
More in benefits is unclaimed than cheated.
The rich avoid paying far more in tax than is wrongly paid in welfare, yet the “scrounger” rhetoric against claimants creates a poisonous atmosphere.
Maynard revealed that one man who could hardly stand was shopped by one of his neighbours to a fraud hotline.
Something has gone badly wrong when people see somebody disabled and, instead of asking if they can help, wonder if they’re on the fiddle.
The Government’s war on the disability living allowance will deprive 90,000 citizens of their freedom to get to work and out and about.
French welfare attack dog Atos sponsoring the Paralympics when its benefit tests are a sick joke is an insult to disabled people.
If he has any shame, Cameron will reflect on what he’s doing then offer a fair deal.
Most athletes would think it inappropriate to protest on a podium.
Some, including gold medal-winning swimmer Tara Flood, joined demonstrations over the past few days.
Yet even the remotest possibility of a protest will have ministers biting their lips. Good.
Because what the Government is doing to the disabled is cruel, and deserving of the widest condemnation.
4 Responses
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It ironic that a good number of the British team will have their DLA removed or drastically reduced next year.
It would be interesting to obtain the figures with regard to that next year.
It’s also ironic that the paralympians, train and are seen to train, yet DLA recipients fear doing anything physical, like a few minutes gardening (all that I am capable of), in case neighbours report them for fraud, like one man who cut part of his hedge whilst sitting in his wheelchair.
I hope that a good number of paralympians choose to highlight Atos’ abuses, and the plight of the disabled throughout the games.
Get that bastard cameron outta my face
those on dla taking part will you have it next yr as atossers will take it away from you and now who will you come to for help dwpexamination.org for help when you couldnt help hold your hands out saying you support those who oppose atos giving money ,but we will still help you as you disabled and atos will take your dla away after the games so take note of above site as you will need it for help and support from those you forgot to stand up and be counted . jeff3