^Except our economy isn't doing particularly bad at the moment, we're performing better than the eurozone, our unemployment rate is roughly parallel to that of the US' (and you don't see any predictions about 1 in 6 British citizens being below the poverty line by the end of the year in the UK, unlike the US).
Sure, we have a load of debt, as does our Government, but who gives a shit if no one is going to collect it? As you said, we've been living beyond our means since WWI, and we survived the great depression, and the '80s recession.
Anyway, as for the topic at hand, I personally think that these people should have their benefits reduced slightly, but have a "carrot" of getting more benefits in return of reaching certain weight targets, with support from the NHS.







