The post you are reporting:
I read Terry's original post as a general view of criminal v OAP and in that context it very close to the truth. Care homes vary in quality, some good, some not so good. The fact is though, old people in the community are "at risk" and successive governments have singularly failed to address this issue.
As for selling a home to pay for care, well, I understand the case for it, but don't support it. In the UK we pay a NI stamp from the day we start work to the day we finish, and I think that money should help opay for long term care of the "at risk" OAP's, who might need social care.
Oddly enough, the most vocal supporters of seeling homes to pay for care are those who haven't slogged their guts out to pay a mortgage for 25 years, and who will probably be state cared for anyway. Not saying you fall into that category Marek, but I don't find any home owners rushing to support your view on this.
Finally, I agree, under Labour we have become the most watched, criminalised and banged-up society in the Western World and the streets are no safer for it. I have always believed that non-violent crimes should be punished with fines and/or social service. Prison should be for the protection of the innocent and the punishment and detention of the guilty. However, I would prefer us to only lock up those who present a real danger to society. Someone who embezzles a few million quid should be tagged and set to doing some sort of work for the benefit of the rest of us.