primitives wiggle-waggle their armpits at each over disabled Americans

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9745770

Oh my.

God, or good luck, or random chance, was good to franksolich this morning; upon getting out of the boat and stepping ashore, this was the first campfire he spotted.

Bluebear  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 03:29 PM
Original message
 
Former Obama advisor thinks disabled Americans should work more

via Americablog: Is there really any surprise that this was one of Obama's leading economic advisers? While it's certainly fashionable in right wing circles to kick those in the weakest situation, most Americans care a lot more about the spoiled Wall Street types getting away with crashing a global economy without punishment.

Unfortunately Orszag and fellow conservative economists never add up those numbers and talk about those costs. How about we stop beating the most vulnerable in society and start getting back to the system that used to produce a growing middle class?

Maybe the pampered class like Orszag could tally up the costs of the poor and disabled and compare it to what Wall Street receives every year. Let's include tax breaks, sub-inflation government lending, lost pension fund and 401K income from the crisis, increased unemployment costs because of Wall Street, lost tax dollars since there are fewer Americans working, as well as lost jobs because of Wall Street's actions. If the number doesn't equal the $9 trillion lent to the industry during the crisis, plus the hundreds of billions from TARP then Wall Street types should quit this constant bashing of the poor. Nobody likes bullies that pick on the weak. Bullshit from people like this is getting old:

The spike in disability insurance applications (and awards) does not reflect a less healthy population. The fraction of working-age adults who report a disability, about one in 10, has remained roughly constant for the past 20 years. (Indeed, it would be surprising if the number of workers with disabilities had risen by 50 percent over the past four years.) Rather, the weak labor market has driven more people to apply for disability benefits that they qualify for but wouldn’t need if they could find work.

When Congress created the disability insurance program in 1956, it required that recipients be unable to “engage in substantial gainful activity in the U.S. economy.” In other words, they had to be unable to work. That was sensible at the time, when more jobs involved physical labor and technologies to assist people with disabilities were not widely available.

Today, however, many people with disabilities are able to engage in some form of work — even if they can’t admit that and still keep their insurance benefits. Cutting off access to the workplace in this way is both unfortunate and unnecessary — and reinforces the threat that the current downturn could cause a long-term reduction in the share of people who work.

http://www.americablog.com/2010/12/citibanks-peter-orsz...

Proud Liberal Dem  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 03:31 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. I don't know if it's splitting hairs or not but I believe that Orszag is a (former) Obama advisor now. I don't necessarily think that there's anything necessarily bad about what he's saying. He's not saying to throw people off of Disability if they don't have a job, is he? I've known people who are on Disability whom could probably be working at least a part-time job or something if they wanted to. Being disabled doesn't mean totally incapable of working some kind of job although I don't believe in tying Disability to work. I'm not sure I see where Orszag does either.

bobbolink  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 04:22 PM
NOMINATED FOR TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2010
NOMINATED FOR THE WILLIE
NOMINATED FOR THE ANNIE
Response to Reply #1

20. Of course he "believes" in throwing people off.. that's why there is a purge on NOW.

WinkyDink  (1000+ posts)      Sun Dec-12-10 09:14 AM
Response to Reply #1
 
37. Only R-W'ers twist Liberal help into "Don't STOP them from (fill in the blank)."

LET the mentally-ill out on their own; LET the very elderly work until they drop; LET the disabled work, even if part-time.

AS IF aid and support are NEGATIVES.

"I've known people who are on Disability whom (sic) could probably be working....."
Really? You were privy to the state of their health, heart, BP, eyesight, musculature, nervous system, etc.?

".... at least a part-time job or something if they wanted to."
Ah, yes; the old "they could work IF THEY WANTED TO" crap.

They could work if they had to.

franksolich respectfully points out the socialist paradises of the workers and peasants as an illustration.

CTyankee  (1000+ posts)      Sun Dec-12-10 09:50 AM
Response to Reply #37
 
39. OTOH, I once worked in the community of folks with developmental disabilities.

They WANT to work, but there was a lot of prejudice against hiring them. However, my Stop and Shop has several people with DD working in their stores and have done so for years. I have been told by the store managers that they are the best employees they have! They are eager to be helpful and love the camaraderie of the workplace.

It's funny, but I bet many people don't think of these individuals when they think of "diversity" in the workplace...

jtown1123 (319 posts)      Fri Dec-10-10 03:34 PM
Response to Original message
 
6. I read this flaming pile of poo this a.m. Just disgusting.

siligut  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 03:53 PM
Response to Original message
 
12. This is just more of the same old, you are poor because....

Putting disability caused impoverishment back onto the shoulders of the impoverished.

Kennah  (604 posts)      Fri Dec-10-10 04:12 PM
Response to Original message
 
17. It's true

"... many people with disabilities are able to engage in some form of work — even if they can't admit that and still keep their insurance benefits."

I mean how much effort does it take to just stand there and get ****ed. The vast majority of the American people do it every day and don't even get paid for it.

Hannah Bell  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 04:16 PM
NOMINATED FOR TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2010
Response to Original message

18. unemployment is currently near 10%. what is the point of focusing on the fact that some disabled people "could" work (if there were jobs, if there were jobs they could do, with schedules they could do, with transportation they could do, with wages higher than disability)?

bobbolink  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 04:20 PM
NOMINATED FOR TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2010
NOMINATED FOR THE WILLIE
NOMINATED FOR THE ANNIE
Response to Original message
 
19. And this is why OBAMA is purging the disability rolls.

The death toll will be at least as great as it was under Raygun, but there won't be a peep out of Dems.... including the sainted Bernie Sanders. He is only interested in the muddleclass.

Ah well, life under the bus is good.

bobbolink  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 04:47 PM
NOMINATED FOR TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2010
NOMINATED FOR THE WILLIE
NOMINATED FOR THE ANNIE
Response to Original message
 
22. "Nobody likes bullies that pick on the weak. "

Except, that is, the current administration.

Warpy  (1000+ posts)        Fri Dec-10-10 05:04 PM
NOMINATED FOR TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2010, WHO'S LAGGING IN THE VOTING
Response to Original message

23. Let me get this straight

Instead of praising the work ethic of people who could have been collecting all along, he's got his panties in a wad because now that the jobs aren't there, they're applying for the benefits that have been due them for months or even years.

What an asshole!

Odin2005  (1000+ posts)        Sat Dec-11-10 02:16 AM
Response to Original message
 
28. **** HIM five ways to next Tuesday.

Fruittree (363 posts)     Sat Dec-11-10 07:22 AM
Response to Original message
 
30. I don't see that it says anything that awful...

It seems to be saying that people who are on disability are applying for benefits but might be able to work if the jobs were available to them - Making the point that not all jobs require hard physical labor now. I think people sometimes over-react here..

But it's in the nature of primitives to over-react.

One sees them get their panties stuck in their cracks over the least little things.

cornermouse  (1000+ posts)      Sun Dec-12-10 07:33 AM
Response to Reply #30
 
33. They call them disabled for a reason.

Meals on wheels with a nondisabled adult accompanying them at all times to keep them from getting lost or just wandering off without delivering the meals is about the most you can expect. Maybe you and whatsisname should brush up on what it takes to be considered disabled by the government.

Fruittree (363 posts)     Sun Dec-12-10 07:47 AM
Response to Reply #33
 
34. Granted, I'm not an expert on what it takes to be on disability and am basing it on people I know and it's more a case of they can't do what they've been doing and they really had no other option but to go on disability but they certainly could make a better income if a job were available that they could do. Whether that's possible in this economy is doubtful but of course the whole idea of a job would work for some people and not for others. 

Shandris (151 posts)      Sun Dec-12-10 09:01 AM
Response to Reply #34
 
36. You don't just waltz in, drop off an application, and get disability.

It's almost always a multi-year struggle, no matter HOW obvious the case is. They schedule meeting after meeting after meeting, ask the same ****ing questions over and over, and then come up with some unbelievably asinine 'recommendations' just to prolong it even more. In my case, I was actually told 'Well, you can sell things on Ebay'. Well stop the ****ing presses, let me pull this wad of cash out of my ass and purchase a bunch of things that I just KNOW people somewhere want, and then coordinate shipping it to them with a company on the far side of town. Perhaps I should take the non-existant public transportation there? Pay for a cab every time I need to send one box? Or do you prefer that I just drive while on my 4 'DO NOT OPERATE MACHINERY ON THIS MEDICATION' medications? Should I make sure I'm in a lucid state first, or is drugged out of my mind okay also?

After 4 YEARS of this, constantly, over 16,000 in hospital/doctor bills, all with receipts, recommendations from every doctor, I went for a hearing and was...summarily rejected because I could 'live on Ebay'. I finally had to get a lawyer who spent another year getting me in front of a judge who spent about 6 minutes looking at my papers, 3 minutes talking to me, and ruled in my favor. She said it was an obvious case, and I should have been on it 8 years previously when my problems first started arising. The lawyer himself told me that even when a case goes to court, there's about a 30% chance it'll get approved.

This jackass has no idea what he's talking about. "Oh hey, I think I'll just go on disability, that should take about a week!" ****ing moron.

Fruittree (363 posts)     Sun Dec-12-10 09:43 AM
Response to Reply #36
 
38. this just shows how each person's experience influences their opinion. He obviously did not go through what you did so his comment would seem stupid in that light. The person I know best had a problem with blood clots in her legs and got the disability fairly easily. Your experience sounds ludicrous and I don't even know what to say --- E-Bay??! What were they thinking?

They were obviously thinking the primitive was making a good income off of selling stuff on eBay, and so why the need to get aboard the disability gravy train?

[GOBUCKS]

The DUmbasses continually whine and wail about how difficult it is to secure a ticket on the gravy train, but nearly everyone at the DUmp rides it. It couldn't be that tough, if people as lazy and slow-witted as DUmp democrats can cash in. Fraudulent disability, along with workers' comp fraud, supports a huge portion of the democrat base, but democrat politicians would probably argue that those fraudulent payments are as important to job creation as permanent unemployment compensation. And besides, the only "victims" of the fraud are a bunch of white male fundie teabagger Republicans.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Orszag is somewhat of a dick and it's a rather touchy, emotion-laden topic, but the point is basically correct...people on disability benefits should work for them to the extent they can reasonably do so and the work is available to them.

[franksolich]

...people on disability benefits should work for them to the extent they can reasonably do so and the work is available to them.

My point exactly.

Now, take for example the subway cat, who's not, uh, aesthetically employable.

Why can't she don one of those fluorescent orange vests and hop into the bed of a truck, and go with others through downtown Baltimore, picking up litter from the sidewalks and streets?

And I've already suggested the gigantic primitive become a hotel bell-boy; Las Vegas has a lot of hotels, and an insatiable demand for bell-boys, and the tips are probably good too.

[GOBUCKS]

And I've already suggested the gigantic primitive become a hotel bell-boy; Las Vegas has a lot of hotels, and an insatiable demand for bell-boys, and the tips are probably good too.

Most of those hotels probably require that their bellboys fit through an elevator door.

[franksolich]

Most of those hotels probably require that their bellboys fit through an elevator door.

The gigantic primitive wouldn't have to go with the guests using a passenger elevator.

He and the luggage could go to the back and use the hotel's freight elevator.

I'm sure that would be considered an "accommodation" for a "handicap."

Don't be putting obstacles to the gigantic primitive doing honest work, sir.

[franksolich]

Most of those hotels probably require that their bellboys fit through an elevator door.

You know, other than self-employment, every job I've had, especially the desk-sitting ones, has involved a telephone at my desk, next to a framed picture of Clare Boothe Luce.

Well, as you know, I can't use a telephone; I'm deaf.

Yet somehow I managed to do those jobs--and very well, thank you--without using a telephone.

What's even funnier is there's been cases where I've worked at a place four or five years before it suddenly dawned on others there; "oh yeah, he's deaf, he can't use the telephone."

All it takes is creative problem-solving.

One of my fantasies has always been to own a business where the telephone receptionist is deaf, the file clerks are blind, the legless are the runners, the mentally-retarded are mid-level management, and the mute deal with the walk-in public.

I bet I could make it work.

All it takes is creative problem-solving.

[BlueStateSaint]

You know, other than self-employment, every job I've had, especially the desk-sitting ones, has involved a telephone at my desk, next to a framed picture of Clare Boothe Luce.

Well, as you know, I can't use a telephone; I'm deaf.

Yet somehow I managed to do those jobs--and very well, thank you--without using a telephone.

What's even funnier is there's been cases where I've worked at a place four or five years before it suddenly dawned on others there; "oh yeah, he's deaf, he can't use the telephone."

All it takes is creative problem-solving.

One of my fantasies has always been to own a business where the telephone receptionist is deaf, the file clerks are blind, the legless are the runners, the mentally-retarded are mid-level management, and the mute deal with the walk-in public.

I bet I could make it work.

All it takes is creative problem-solving.

Coach, why would you employ any of the denziens of the DUmp?

[franksolich]

Coach, why would you employ any of the denziens of the DUmp?

Well, I'm not describing people who are mentally-retarded by choice.

[GOBUCKS]

One of my fantasies has always been to own a business where the telephone receptionist is deaf, the file clerks are blind, the legless are the runners, the mentally-retarded are mid-level management, and the mute deal with the walk-in public.

...and the entire parking lot would be handicapped spots. 

[DumbAss Tanker]

Now, take for example the subway cat, who's not, uh, aesthetically employable.

Artfully put, sir, artfully put!

 

[Randy]

One of my fantasies has always been to own a business where the telephone receptionist is deaf, the file clerks are blind, the legless are the runners, the mentally-retarded are mid-level management, and the mute deal with the walk-in public.

I bet I could make it work.

All it takes is creative problem-solving.

Sorry Frank, that idea's already been implemented where I work.

[formerlurker]

Shandris (151 posts)      Sun Dec-12-10 09:01 AM
Response to Reply #34
 
36. You don't just waltz in, drop off an application, and get disability.

It's almost always a multi-year struggle, no matter HOW obvious the case is. They schedule meeting after meeting after meeting, ask the same ****ing questions over and over, and then come up with some unbelievably asinine 'recommendations' just to prolong it even more. In my case, I was actually told 'Well, you can sell things on Ebay'. Well stop the ****ing presses, let me pull this wad of cash out of my ass and purchase a bunch of things that I just KNOW people somewhere want, and then coordinate shipping it to them with a company on the far side of town. Perhaps I should take the non-existant public transportation there? Pay for a cab every time I need to send one box? Or do you prefer that I just drive while on my 4 'DO NOT OPERATE MACHINERY ON THIS MEDICATION' medications? Should I make sure I'm in a lucid state first, or is drugged out of my mind okay also?

After 4 YEARS of this, constantly, over 16,000 in hospital/doctor bills, all with receipts, recommendations from every doctor, I went for a hearing and was...summarily rejected because I could 'live on Ebay'. I finally had to get a lawyer who spent another year getting me in front of a judge who spent about 6 minutes looking at my papers, 3 minutes talking to me, and ruled in my favor. She said it was an obvious case, and I should have been on it 8 years previously when my problems first started arising. The lawyer himself told me that even when a case goes to court, there's about a 30% chance it'll get approved.

This jackass has no idea what he's talking about. "Oh hey, I think I'll just go on disability, that should take about a week!" ****ing moron.

Well Shandris, how did I delicately put this.......   you don't seem to have any ****ing problem running your mouth on the internet in your "drugged out of my mind" state now do you?    SSI for disabled adults is supposed to be for those who are significantly medically fragile/cognitively impaired.... such as  classic autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy?   You know, those who struggle with basic life skills that you and I take for granted?    

This very necessary and yes critical safety net was never meant for pathetic losers who just don't want to work for a living like yourself.   Go spend a day in a residential setting for the adults with the disabilities that I described and then tell us all again how hard it was for you to get benefits.    People like you sicken me to the core as the hand outs you receive and feel you are entitled to may jeopardize the benefits for the adults who truly need them to survive.

Go **** yourself you parasite.

[pardon my crassness everyone, but these people really piss me off today]

[BlueStateSaint]

Well, I'm not describing people who are mentally-retarded by choice.

You have a point.  H5 for that.

And, fl, you as well.  Every now and then one has to go off and lay it on the line.

[franksolich]

SSI for disabled adults is supposed to be for those who are significantly medically fragile/cognitively impaired.... such as  classic autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy?   You know, those who struggle with basic life skills that you and I take for granted?.....as the hand outs you receive and feel you are entitled to may jeopardize the benefits for the adults who truly need them to survive.

Well put, madam.  This hat's off to you.

Go **** yourself you parasite.

That's even better put.

[AllosaursRus]

I worked with one of the nicest guys I have ever met at HD. The guy had muscular dystrophy.

He was on occasion hard to understand, couldn't climb ladders or operate equipment. He had been offered disability early in his adulthood. He turned it down with complete contempt for those suggesting he was disabled!

He still works there and is one of the most knowledgeable Plumbing Associates HD has ever had on staff!

Tell me again DUmbasses, that the disabled cannot perform any lucrative function, and at least help in their own support!

ETA:

All I have to do is show a copy of my X-rays to anyone with authority, and the first thing they suggest is to go on the gubmint gravy train! As of a coupla months ago, I have a 10 lb lifting limit 'cause they want to do the same damn thing to my neck!

No thanx! I'm with my bud at HD, how dare you suggest I'm so disabled I cannot support myself!

[Randy]

Now, take for example the subway cat, who's not, uh, aesthetically employable.

She can work a phone at a call center. She could work nights at any place that has a night time janitorial crew. Construction crews usually don't care what you look like while you build on big projects.
The fugly does limit ones options somewhat but doesn't eliminate them.

[Randy]

I worked with one of the nicest guys I have ever met at HD. The guy had muscular dystrophy.

He was on occasion hard to understand, couldn't climb ladders or operate equipment. He had been offered disability early in his adulthood. He turned it down with complete contempt for those suggesting he was disabled!

He still works there and is one of the most knowledgeable Plumbing Associates HD has ever had on staff!

Tell me again DUmbasses, that the disabled cannot perform any lucrative function, and at least help in their own support!

I have 2 disabilities that qualify me for goodies and exceptions but when I was offered them both times I politely....OK rudely declined because I work for a living.

[franksolich]

She can work a phone at a call center. She could work nights at any place that has a night time janitorial crew. Construction crews usually don't care what you look like while you build on big projects.
 
The fugly does limit ones options somewhat but doesn't eliminate them.

Good suggestions all, sir, but I'm a little dubious about the night-time jobs.

The subway cat looks terrifying enough in broad daylight; I imagine in darkness, she looks even scarier.

[AllosaursRus]

Good suggestions all, sir, but I'm a little dubious about the night-time jobs.

The subway cat looks terrifying enough in broad daylight; I imagine in darkness, she looks even scarier.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

Good one, Coach! H5!!

[Carl]

I think this thread calls for a link to what is perhaps the longest running thread at the DUmp.

fugue (846 posts)        Sat Nov-13-04 11:18 AM
Original message
Disabled DUers check in!
I know you're here!

I've got Asperger's syndrome, and I telecommute, thanks to a great boss. I did lose my last job, though, because of my disability (then undiagnosed, so they thought I was making it all up).

Who are you?

   
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=250x1

The last post was 2 weeks ago.

[franksolich]

I think this thread calls for a link to what is perhaps the longest running thread at the DUmp.

The last post was 2 weeks ago.

You know, I've always seen that campfire burning away at a distance, but never went to it.

Now my curiosity is sparked; I need to examine it, to see which primitives are at it, who at other campfires boast about all the money they're making.

[true_blood]

The DUmmies are mad. They want their free stuff without being questioned or even looked into. They want their gubberment "entitlements".

[Carl]

You know, I've always seen that campfire burning away at a distance, but never went to it.

Now my curiosity is sparked; I need to examine it, to see which primitives are at it, who at other campfires boast about all the money they're making.

It is a mix of sob stories and overblown bs.

Normal primitive stuff.

[GOBUCKS]

Now, take for example the subway cat, who's not, uh, aesthetically employable.

Don't state fairs and travelling carnivals still have jobs for people who are otherwise aesthetically unemployable? I remember once paying a quarter to walk through a tent where, sitting in a chair reading a magazine, there was a middle-aged lady with a long beard. She probably got at least a dime from my two bits, and there was a constant stream of curious customers walking through the tent. I would think that DUmmy UGP could command at least that much. I might go half a buck. Team her with the Las Vegas Leviathan, and her tent would have a queue like Disney World during Easter week.