The number of people on SSDI now exceeds the entire population of Greece. The aging of the population has nothing to do with the increase. In 1968 there were 51 workers for every person on disability. Today there are 13 workers for every person on disablity. Even the most pollyanna would agree that medical advancements since 1968 have been significant. These medical advancements would argue for less people being on disability and unable to work.Workplace safety measures have been increased exponentially since 1968, so that also argues for less disabled workers. The good old ADA law forced all workplaces to become disabled friendly. That argues for less people on disability. The country has transitioned from a manufacturing society to a service society. Workers don’t work on dangerous assembly lines anymore. Robots do the dangerous stuff. This should have dramatically reduced worker injuries and disabilities.
Everything I’ve pointed out is true. The tremendous increase in people on SSDI is nothing but a gigantic fraud, perpetuated by the Federal government and slimy lawyers. The government broadened the scope of disabilities to include stress, depression, and non-diagnosable things like aches and pains. I have stress, depression and pains too, but I get up at 5:15 every morning and go to work. The SSDI program is a joke. More than half the people on SSDI are lazy good for nothing leeches. They are sucking you and I dry while sitting around eating cheetos, watching Judge Judy on their government subsidized cable TV, and texting with other lazy fucks on their iPhones.
And don't forget, you get the added benefit of Medicare coverage after only two years of SSDI stress.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Why don't you say what you REALLY think.
ReplyDeleteThats a bit strong worded but I completely understand the sentiment.
ReplyDeleteA partial solution to the trend toward socialism is work for food.
If you accept Government benefits you are required to perform community service. This involves local organization for labor teams that clean streets, playgrounds, cut grass (with a sickle) pull weeds, dig ditches, shovel snow, etc...
Thats how it's done in eastern Europe.
My son is on disability and he gets no medicare or food stamps. I wish he could work. I wish there was a program to help transition him into work but there isn't. Would you be happier if he was on the streets dying? A country is only as strong as it treats its weakest citizens.
ReplyDelete3:59, I don't think most people want to take aid away from those who are truly in need, it just angers me to know we are borrowing money to pay for those who are allowed to manipulate the system. And just think how much more help we could give those in need if we weren't up to our necks in debt. Interest payments alone so far this year are almost 3 Trillion...how many people could you help with three trillion dollars?? We need to cut the handouts not only here but things like jets to Egypt. I hope your son gets better and finds the help he needs.
ReplyDeleteSSDI should not exist..... the only people that should get a free pass would be veterans police or firefighters that were injured permanently in the line of duty
ReplyDeleteIts how the Obama administration deals with unemployment. Move the unemployed to the disabled to hide the extent of his failure with the economy. Unfortunately it works!
ReplyDeleteWhat about those folks who are truly disabled and who fully contributed to social security until they became disabled? Yes, there are frauds but not everyone is a fraud and there are folks who are totally disabled and unable to continue to work.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the writer can distinguish between disability and workers comp. If you got hurt on the job, that falls under workers comp., not disability.
ReplyDeleteTrue, medical advances and better health make people live longer. But their bodies still wear out. Thus, they become disabled.
The ratio of workers to disabled people may have gotten smaller because more people are becoming disabled. It has also gotten smaller because of higher unemployment. If there are no jobs, people can't work.
Anonymous said...
SSDI should not exist..... the only people that should get a free pass would be veterans police or firefighters that were injured permanently in the line of duty
May 11, 2013 at 6:48 PM
That is so asinine it doesn't deserve a response.
Anonymous said...
What about those folks who are truly disabled and who fully contributed to social security until they became disabled? Yes, there are frauds but not everyone is a fraud and there are folks who are totally disabled and unable to continue to work.
May 11, 2013 at 10:20 PM
Thank you. It seems the writer, and some of the commenters here, fail to realize when people get disability, and have worked and paid into the system, it is THEIR OWN MONEY they are drawing out. It is NOT government money. It is NOT an entitlement. It is NOT tax money or taxpayer monies.
Some want to deny others their rightful claim to their own money.
I have found it is not so easy to get disability payments. I have been FIGHTING over two years to get MY MONEY.
I too have pains, stress and depression, but there is no way in hell I can get up at any time of day and go to work. My body is so damaged and wore out, I can not do anything for any length of time.
I understand people's frustration when they think people are getting a free ride at their expense. And I agree, if, they are truly able to work.
But, it is NOT a free ride for most of us who have paid into, along with our employers, the system with our hard earned dollars.
It is a safety net designed just for such purposes as I have explained and am experiencing.
The government goes after those who abuse and are not entitled to benefits. And as usually what happens when the government gets involved in anything, it screws it up worse.
People like myself have a tougher time getting benefits. They deny everyone the first time they apply. Most of those who appeal also. By the third attempt, most of those still trying to get benefits, (their money), now have lawyers. Lawyers who get a cut of whatever SS deems they are allowed to get each month.
And to top all of that off, the SS agency no longer pays back pay from when someone first applied. It now only goes back 6 months from when, and if, they are approved. (for their own money)
This has gotten much more long winded than I intended but when you lump me into the same category as those who are frauds, I have to set you straight.
I don't think most even know the facts and rules surrounding SSDI. They are repeating what they have heard from others, whether true or not.
Instead of being emotional and going off half cocked, learn the subject you offer your opinion on.
It may reduce some of the stress and depresssion you are expierencing.
I think your opinion is colored with extreme bias. SSDI is NOT taxpayer money?? Whose it it? An how much did YOU actually pay into the system? Enough to get $1000-2000 a month for life? Really? You can "fight" for 2 years, shuffling papers and filling out forms, going to different offices, etc, but you are too disabled to shuffle papers and fill out forms IN an office (as in a "job")? C'mon, man....
ReplyDelete4:57 PM
ReplyDeleteNo, it is not taxpayer monies. It is not withheld from people's wages to be used as regular taxes are withheld as in state and federal taxes are withheld.
And yes, I have paid enough into the system to recieve 1,000-2,000 a month for life, as is determined by SS staff and rules.
How much I have paid into this system is frankly none of your business.
Shuffling papers is actually the job of the SS staff. Any 'shuffling' of papers I may do is limited, in both time and amount of papers.
And, besides being physically unable to sit in an office chair for any length of time, first I would have to be qualified for such a position, and second, I would have to be MORE qualified than the current number of unemployed people seeking such a position.
I think, SIR, the bias is coming from your computer, not mine.
lmclain said...
ReplyDeleteI think your opinion is colored with extreme bias. SSDI is NOT taxpayer money??
Not in the usual sense, no.
It goes,(or is supposed to go), into the SS fund. Which we all know, or should know, is raided by certain politicians, agencies, whoever, and used for other purposes than which it was established.
This SS fund is invested in whatever whey they choose to, to make it grow, earn interest, and pay out to the individuals who qualify.
At least, that was the plan. But as usual, when you have that large enough amount of money just laying around in D.C., someone wants it, or at least part of it.
And they do. And the "taxpayers" get increases in withholding to make up for it.
I know you are not that naive or stupid to know how this 'game' is supposed to work and how it really works in life.
Not everyone is out there to scam the system. But oftentimes, we are punished for those that do.
So, the government actually has money? That HASN'T been taken from taxpayers, for whatever reason? 11:12 said "...most of us have paid into...". Also, since I may get old enough to one day collect SSI, when MILLIONS of people (including immigrants who have NEVER "paid into it" are getting those benefits, I'd say it IS my business how much people "pay into it", because at the rate we are going, I may never see SSI. The article was on target and THAT was my main argument --- in a land of medical miracles (we replace just about anything below the neck), workplace rules for safety, etc, we STILL have this many people "disabled". Get real. The safety net SHOULD exist, but it shouldn't be 3000 miles wide and 1000 feet off the ground. "...as determined by the SSI rules..." is also rather disengenuous, too. The "rules" are part of the problem. I don't know your circumstances, though, so I apologize, sincerely, for my hasty remarks. Good luck with the government.
ReplyDelete