When the BBC originally opened "Have Your Say" to comments from the public about Incapacity Benefit reforms, it was a general "what do you think, then?" Over the following days, the priority of the question gave way to things like "Should we have ID cards?" and "What do you think of the latest Bin Laden tapes?". Mr Hutton's latest revalation that GP's should be offered cash to encourage IB claimants back to work has brought the issue to the fore again, this time with the heading "Should welfare work rules be tougher?" I can't help thinking that the BBC is trying to lead people - it's funny how the topic slid quickly down the list when it became clear that many commenters were absolutely incensed about Mr Hutton's proposals.
My favourite comment, however, comes from a GP:
I keep sending comments in, but so far only one has been published. The BBC allow 500 characters for your comment, which isn't much to voice your dissent, especially when you want to respond to so many of the commenters who appear less than clued up about the whole thing. I may do it here...
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