– Why should people with two- and three-figure million fortunes get the same amount of electricity support as those who are disabled? The electricity subsidy is a ridiculously expensive arrangement, a band-aid for the wound when misguided politics and the goal of continuous economic growth strike, says Tonje Maria Songedal. She is one of hundreds who have become involved in the issue of growing food queues. – What does it cost to support overconsumption? Redistribution now! says Tonje Maria Songedal. Photo: Privat Fresende e-mails and SMSs. Over 150 feedbacks in the comments section. The case of people in full-time jobs who have to queue for food has set news’s readers on edge. So far this year, over 1,000 tonnes of food have been distributed. On Monday, Fattighuset in Oslo announced that they do not have enough food and must cut back on food deliveries. Last week, 400 people showed up for a food distribution at Filadelfia Church in Drammen. Siv Joensen at the Salvation Army. Photo: Jan-Erik Wilthil / news At the same time at the Salvation Army, just a couple of blocks away, 140 people received carrier bags of food within two hours. Do you also have suggestions for how to cut the food queues? Have your say at the bottom of the matter. – People come here and cry, said congregation leader at the Salvation Army, Siv Joensen. One of them is the mother of two “Wipa”. – Rent, electricity, food prices, everything has become more expensive, she said. “Showered once a week – felt like a troll” What do you think should be done to cut the food queues in Norway? asked news. Tonje Maria Songedal immediately got involved and wrote: Tonje Maria Songedal’s proposal to cut the food queues Means-tested child benefit (more for those with actual needs) Give the banks an order to “protect” customers who have moderate home and car loans Remove the fuel tax for those who need a car in everyday life Grading the electricity price according to consumption. For example, 20 øre for consumption up to 10,000 kwh annually and so on – and then increase the price considerably for overconsumption. Make the electricity support needs-tested – again, more for those who actually need it – It has happened that we have almost started arguing because one of us has forgotten to turn off the oven after use, she says of herself and her roommate. Because while they save where they can by waiting with laundry, turning down heating cables and hunting for bargains, she notes the following: – Those with money can afford to leave the heating cables in the driveway on while expensive solar panels are installed. Songedal says low power consumption should pay off and be rewarded. – Last year, when electricity prices were at their highest, we tried to shower once a week. We felt like trolls! she laughs and adds: – Fortunately, we are equipped with humour, but this is Norway of difference in stark practice. At the Salvation Army in Drammen, food is delivered every two weeks. There are hectic days with packing bags in advance. Photo: Tordis Gauteplass / news Afraid of ending up in a food queue Songedal believes professional pride was more prominent before. – Now the joy has been overshadowed by making as much money as possible. Being able to show well-filled accounts has become the apparent goal. Put in the lead, of course. She says the profit mindset has largely destroyed the public sector, and she considers the food chains to be one of the biggest drivers of inflation in society. – And this is also how it should be thought in hospitals, schools and the municipal health service, she adds confidently. When asked if she has made use of food delivery, Spongedal replies: – No, fortunately not. But I can quickly end up there. It doesn’t take more than a break-up or a death. We neither get younger nor healthier with age. Below in the photo series, you can see some of the comments from readers. Economics must go into school Marianne Møller was another who got involved when news called on readers to come up with suggestions. Marianne Møller’s proposal to cut the food queues It must be part of the school curriculum that people learn to take care of their own finances. Those who do not have the ability to manage their own finances must have early help and guidance. That people are seen, the whole person, not just help if you are sick, but see you as a person. – It is important to think about prevention. As early as possible. I myself hand out food to the disadvantaged and find that many go under financial management, says Møller. Marianne Møller wants people to learn about finances at an early age and adds: – It costs so little to care. Photo: Privat She emphasizes that she does not judge anyone. The lack of understanding of economics can be caused by many things, she maintains. – All the more important to learn this. Then those who do not have the ability to manage their own finances must receive early help and guidance, Møller believes. – Reverse Robin Hood policy Elisabeth Thoresen also offered several pieces of advice. Elisabeth Thoresen’s proposal to cut the food queues Feel free to introduce a low-threshold offer at Nav with a simple registration that gives a gift voucher for food. We need to set up all government minimum benefits such as AAP, disability benefits and minimum pension to well above the poverty line. The limit for housing benefit must be increased and more must be given in housing benefit. The indicative rate for financial social assistance must be increased considerably so that more people can get financial help from Nav, and not have to stand in a food queue. She is the leader of the AAP action, which was founded in 2019. A non-profit organization whose “short-term goal is to ensure that those who become ill and disabled have uninterrupted income protection from the national insurance until they are finally cleared for work or disability benefits”. Elisabeth Thoresen believes we have a government that neglects the population. Photo: Beate Riiser / news As a staunch champion of the welfare population, it is not unnatural that she gets involved in the topic. – Things have gotten worse! There is not enough food for the people, and we are headed for a crisis of inequality the likes of which we have never seen. We have a government that neglects its own population, thunders Thoresen. “Those who are not in work must be punished” – Do you believe that things will get better? – Not today, when the government is failing. They use the danger of inflation as a justification for allowing people to continue living in poverty. The banks raise the interest rate again and again and make a profit, so things are booming. It is a reverse Robin Hood policy, where it is taken from the poor and given to the rich. I feel it raging inside me! Thoresen mentions long food queues outside Fattighuset and at the Salvation Army as early as spring 2020. More and more people are standing in food queues in Norway. Photo: Henning Rønhovde / news – But we are now starting to see the result of the interest rate hikes. – You think we must have a new political course? – Yes. We must drop the practicing work line and bring in a welfare line. Thoresen claims that today’s welfare policy is built around the practical line of work that the Conservative government is sitting on after eight years with Erna Solberg. – Their politics are built around an ideology which is like this: It should pay to work. Therefore, we must also punish those who are not at work with duty and financial sanctions when necessary. It’s scary and it’s gross! What do you think should be done to cut the food queues in Norway? Hello! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue
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– I can feel it raging inside me! – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
