I cannot imagine how much worse it is today in 2013.
Like the guy I know, a union electrician, who could easily be earning a nice wage, but instead sits around drinking beer and watching porn?
Except when he is hanging off his rafters installing his Christmas lights?
Was just looking at my SS statement.
If I work my @ss off until age 62, I can then start getting $1500 a month. But if I pretend to be disabled, I can get $2100 per month starting today!
So are there really any surprises here?
People on disability could really work if they wanted to?
No. Really? Who knew?
Actual conversation:
Me: Liberals don’t really care how much fraud and abuse there are in these programs, as long as everyone gets covered that they think needs it.
Libinlaw: We do TOO care about the fraud and abuse...[2 second pause]... but we have to make sure that everyone that needs help gets it.
Me: That’s what I just said!
Libinlaw: [pause]... well, I’ll have to think about it...it just sounded so mean when you said it.
Disability has become a big scam.
It is the new welfare without the need for children.
Eat too much? Made yourself morbidly obese? no problem taxpayers will pay for you to eat more.
I am shocked how many normal people are on disability with minimal excuses.
This is news? My worthless brother-in-law (If you know him he probably owes you money)quit working back in 1981 and has not worked a day since. He often just walked off jobs for no reason. Due to his laziness he is in such bad health because of no exercise, that he is almost a basket case.
Bad joints, diabetes due to getting fat, ect. He managed to claim a football injury as a Naval injury and got a VA pension for years. He had his wife do the serious work till she lost her job. Now they have almost lost their house due to HIS bad management of money.(”Poor little me! It’s everybody else’s fault”) They have NO excess funds to cover anything.
What is galling is a high paying job opened up for him back in 1981. I called him and told him of the pay, the medical and retirement benefits and why he should jump at this job!
His words to me was...”I don’t want to do that kind of work!” and he didn’t.
Needless to say, he is a dyed in wool DEMOCRAT and supports Hillary.
Disability is the new welfare for those without small children. I personally know several people on disability who could be working, and at least one has a husband working full time totally able to support them, but she can stay home and have her nails done or go shopping. And note I said someone I know, not someone I like or visit with.
Here in California you could “just-put-yourself” on disability for no reason without a doctor until just a few years ago.
Cali is crazy and we draw third world second grade drop outs like flys to %$#*.
Good news: They could work
Bad news: No jobs
To get people off of disability, I think we're going to have to offer guarantees that they can go immediately back on it if the job doesn't work out. At least then, they might try.
EXography: Disability has become a way of life in many American counties
People have also asked me why I don't go on disability... I'm 52 with DVTs, PEs, and Crohns disease which has gotten worse and worse over the years. I've had 2 major surgeries since 2010, and next month I'm hoping a total collectomy (complete removal of the colon and rectum) will give me some relief. I'll be off of work for about 2 months. But I can't imagine not going to work - though some days, like yesterday, I really did NOT want to leave the apartment, or even get out of bed.
But my work is important to who and what I am. I'm so thankful I have an employer who has been willing to hold my job for me (3 months out the first time, 2 months the second, and coming up, another 2 months).
There are people who NEED help, and these damned parasites who are getting it like this are stealing not just from us (the taxpayers) but they're going to crash the system for those who really need it!
Mark
My brother is on SSDI and works at WalMart, making sure he doesn’t put in too many hours and lose any of his SSDI. Claims back and shoulder injuries, but can change a motor and transmission in his driveway during a NY Winter. His last full-time job was in carpet installation and he can’t carry the heavy rolls any more....