"I have always regarded whinging about the state of the country as proxy for whinging about one's own inadequacies and trying to blame others for your own shortcomings."

So being concerned for the welfare of those less fortunate than yourself and wanting a society based on values such as equality, compassion and fairness is an indication of my personal inadequacies?

I've heard some crap, but that's impressive by any standards. I've run my own business for over six years, on my own, no help from anyone (except the excellent support of my wife) yet still think we should all contribute to our society to make sure those without the advantages I've enjoyed can have a quality of life. I don't like benefit cheats any more than anyone else but sometimes you have to have been there to understand how oppressive and unrealistic the system for getting people back to work is (although it's 25 years since I've been on the dole).

"All we need to do is remove the option of a life on incapacity benefits or teenage mums getting free party houses and rewards for immoral lifestyles.."

Is this a Daily Mail quote? It's this sort of hysterical hyperbole that got the Tories voted in, and is complete and utter shite. Your pseudo-morality GG is a cover for a lack of understanding in how society works. The middle-class utopia you crave doesn't, and never will exist whether you like it or not.