Lox, I ain't disagreeing with you. I am not naive enough to wonder why they don't eat cake, but by the same token, putting people in their "place" is nothing new.

I was told at school it was the army or down the pit. If I was clever enough, perhaps the glassworks.

After the strike, I got out of the pit. Never looked back, had some good luck, had some set backs, but however you value or count success, I am independent, comfortable, want for nothing and refuse to feel guilty about it. It isn't about silver spoons, it is about hard bloody work. In order to have a social program at all, a country needs the vast majority to get off their arses and create wealth. I am not quoting Adam Smith by the way, I am quoting Tony Benn.

My sons grew up in a small town with huge deprivation scores, (I chaired a local health authority, the public health figures were disturbing to say the least.) My sons went to the local comp' which had a bad reputation for attainment.

I found it interesting that my eldest and two other lads were streets ahead of their classmates and since leaving school have done well for themselves, very well, and I am proud of my lad.

I wonder what the difference was between them and the others? Coincidence of being bright? No...   

Parents who took an interest, who asked them how school had been, who got them interested in the joy of reading, learning and expanding your horizons. They had the same teachers as those who now sit in the welfare supping their dole, moaning that they never stood a chance because of where they live, where they went to school, or whoever they blame that particular day.

Stereotyping? No more than those who harp on about why everything a government does or says is wrong because they "don't understand real people." Show me a government that does.

That is why I have huge problems with apologists for those in less fortunate positions; you are in grave danger of keeping them where they are rather than finding ways to help them on. Many third world charities have used the slogan, "A hand up, not a hand out." Interesting to see the reaction when applied closer to home.