Unfit for Work: the startling rise of disability in America

[The Moz 69]

If you are a construction worker with a family and a mortgage -- and the Job is coming to an end and basically you know you are headed to the bench afterwards and unemployment. In this economy it might be 6 - 8 months before you get called back up - do you want Unemployment for basically less than 1/2 of your pay or Disability for like 75-85% of your pay? Then wait until the economy picks up and there is work. A lot of these Union guys make like 50 dollars an hour maybe more in the major cities. I would fall off a scaffold as well and break a few bones for the family.

 

Just saying why I don't agree as an american with what is happening I understand it.

 

Like OJ -- I don't agree with what he did but I understand it - If my wife was nailing some other dude and throwing in your face ... I would think (what would phillybear do)

 

I have to amend that as PB would of been arrested on site as there's no way he could resist doing the dead guy after his deed.

[Vikings4ever 551]

You disagree?

[NewbieJr 541]

You disagree?

He's rolling his eyes because it's obviously a problem that neither side is willing to address. Your lame attempt at blaming the left for the right's failure to do anything is laughable.

[DankNuggs 305]

While I do not like Barry - this has been a problem for a while since before even Reagan was in office in regards to the trades. If people don't think they will get picked up for another job after 1 ends they will often get themselves injured a few weeks before the job ends. Hell my friends brother did this -- he is a Journeyman Electrician making about 45 an hour (not counting overtime) took a Saw-zall and cut into his own leg because he knew all the people on the bench and he wouldn't get another gig for over 6 months. Again I don't condone this ( granted I might break a few bones but take a saw-zall to my leg )but I understand it.

 

The owners of the Contractors won't say a word as they know they will be battling the Union if they do. Even if you win a court case against the Unions as a Subcontractor on this stuff the Union will blacklist you and give you the worst workers they can.

Guys working on the big dig towards the end would hide in the tunnels on friday afternoons when people would get let go as if they couldn't find them they'd have another week of work lol....

[The Moz 69]

Guys working on the big dig towards the end would hide in the tunnels on friday afternoons when people would get let go as if they couldn't find them they'd have another week of work lol....

 

 

These days they take a Saw-Zall to their leg and after it heals they claim Psychological damage and they cannot work.

[DankNuggs 305]

These days they take a Saw-Zall to their leg and after it heals they claim Psychological damage and they cannot work.

Without question these types of programs create perverse financial incentives. Self fulfilling prophesy that they are rife with abuse.

[Vikings4ever 551]

He's rolling his eyes because it's obviously a problem that neither side is willing to address. Your lame attempt at blaming the left for the right's failure to do anything is laughable.

Did I say the right's lack of political courage is the left's fault?

[penultimatestraw 473]

These days they take a Saw-Zall to their leg and after it heals they claim Psychological damage and they cannot work.

You've known someone that did this to falsify disability?

 

Edit: Oops, I see you do. That is truly pathetic.

[penultimatestraw 473]

There was higher unemployment under a number of Presidents and this did not happen under them. Feel free to provide a link to show I am wrong.

The article worms linked shows disability closely parallels unemployment - even pre-Obama. Did you read it?

[The Moz 69]

You've known someone that did this to falsify disability?

 

Edit: Oops, I see you do. That is truly pathetic.

 

While in principle I agree 100% If you were in that situation - I mean take a saw zall and cut your leg open as long as you didn't go tooooo deep - let it heal then claim Pysch. trama - get 80% of your pay rather than 40% - from unemployment. Then wait till the industry picks back up and say everything is fine. Something I don't agree with in principle but understand it if they are trying to help their family.

 

 

That said it must have been seriously painful taking a saw-zall to your thigh.

[NewbieJr 541]

The article worms linked shows disability closely parallels unemployment - even pre-Obama. Did you read it?

Phurfur is long gone. He's been proven wrong. He won't be back

[MDC 7,482]

Phurfur is long gone. He's been proven wrong. He won't be back

 

Allow me to answer on his behalf:

 

Put 2 and 2 together ... Moron!

 

Insert quote here.

 

MK Ultra.

 

Feel free to use this Phurfur reply in every thread, ever.

[JT 137]

Allow me to answer on his behalf:

 

Put 2 and 2 together ... Moron!

 

A-Wop-Bop-a-Loo-Bop-a-Lop-Bam-Boom

 

MK Ultra.

 

 

HTH

[cbfalcon 825]

Great article and potentially an interesting thread...until it became a left vs right blame game. Nuther thread rooint focksticks.

[gocolts 300]

But here is a simple suggestion: Require disability to be revisited and diagnosed every X # of years, at that reexamination should there be actual rules and thresholds on actually qualifying for disability they will be evaluated at that time.

I have been reevaluated once already and I have been on it for less then 10 years.

[gocolts 300]

 

Our resident disability poster boy sure seems able to use a computer in his house. Just not in an office.

Sure I can use a computer. If some knuckle dragger like you can use one, ANYONE can. Problem is, I can't use one for any length of time doofus(How many times have I explained this too you, maybe 100 times now). Funny how folks wont hire someone who can only work about an hour at a time. Hell, it's all I can do to get to the grocery store and buy a couple bags of groceries.

[SUXBNME 1,515]

Hell, it's all I can do to get to the grocery store and buy a couple bags of groceries.

That has nothing to do with your disability, though...That's cause you're poor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gocolts 300]

That has nothing to do with your disability, though...That's cause you're poor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drobeski 3,061]

 

 

Colts n son go to walmart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gocolts 300]

 

 

Colts n son go to walmart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IGotWorms 4,058]

[sarcasm] Obama is a champion of eliminating abusable social policies [/sarcasm]

 

 

Come on now, this is the guy promoting HC abuse, welfare abuse, we see disability abuse, immigration abuse (rewarding people who break the law over and above those who patiently wait and follow the rules is abuse IMO)

 

This is the democrat way... Round up all the people who you helped abuse the system and get quid pro quo votes.

 

I knew some idiot would come in here and say this. Go back and re-read the article. Specifically the part where disability increased greatly under W (a Republican) and really took off around 2008 (when the economy crashed).

 

If you want causation, look at welfare reform and the collapse of the labor market.

 

It might be fair to say Democrats aren't doing anything about the problem, but neither are Republicans for that matter. My point is that nobody is talking about this: not the right, not the left, nobody.

[IGotWorms 4,058]

While I do not like Barry - this has been a problem for a while since before even Reagan was in office in regards to the trades. If people don't think they will get picked up for another job after 1 ends they will often get themselves injured a few weeks before the job ends. Hell my friends brother did this -- he is a Journeyman Electrician making about 45 an hour (not counting overtime) took a Saw-zall and cut into his own leg because he knew all the people on the bench and he wouldn't get another gig for over 6 months. Again I don't condone this ( granted I might break a few bones but take a saw-zall to my leg )but I understand it.

 

The owners of the Contractors won't say a word as they know they will be battling the Union if they do. Even if you win a court case against the Unions as a Subcontractor on this stuff the Union will blacklist you and give you the worst workers they can.

 

You're confusing workers' comp with Social Security disability. They are different in key ways. For one thing workers' comp is paid for through insurance whereas Social Security disability is often not paid for at all.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Haven't read the article yet, but I can tell you a lot of the medical disability I see is highly suspect. Fortunately I don't have to fill out those forms, and my dislike for making the somewhat arbitrary distinction is one of the things that drove me out of clinic work.

 

When I did collection work, most of my deadbeats were on disability. They said it's common knowledge that you always get approved the third appeal.many of them go ahead and file the claim and first two appeals while the kids are still teenagers, just to get it out of the way.

[Giants Fan 85]

Most of you are confusing disability and workers comp.

 

Let's review:

 

I have a herniated disk in my lower back, which at times causes sciatica, which is an extreme pain. When I am experiencing bad sciatica, it's hard for me to do much of anything but lie down with ice on my back. 100% of the time I cannot stand for long periods of time, so I couldn't be a bar tender or a waiter.

 

I know about the nightmares veterans have. I understand it. I was in group therapy for a year after 9.11. There's something about seeing a bunch of people jump to their death on your way to work one day ... messes you up for good. I think I have PTSD, and likely am clinically a manic depressive (bi polar) but I have never been diagnosed as such. My brother's suicide also contributes to both of those things.

 

I applied for disability, took over a year, and was denied. Appealed, denied.

 

Even though I work for my Mom, and she understands that sometimes I just need to go lay down ... I'm really unable to work any full time job. Lately the sciatica has really been flaring up, and I am in constant pain. Prolly gonna file again, and hire a lawyer this time. I am not making any of this up.

 

Are there people scamming the system? Absolutely, and that's prolly why so many people that are legit disabled get denied.

[Giants Fan 85]

You're confusing workers' comp with Social Security disability. They are different in key ways. For one thing workers' comp is paid for through insurance whereas Social Security disability is often not paid for at all.

 

Oops. Just saw this.

 

At any rate, the government says I can go back to being a graphic designer. That I am not crazy, and my physical injury isn't enough. Because I wasn't hurt on the job, or due to someone elses fault, I was never able to make any insurance claims. Been in some minor car accidents I coulda pinned it on, but that's not how I roll.

[mobb_deep 920]

Ban GoColts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

again...

[Phurfur 70]

It is good to see the lefties got together yesterday for their daily circle jerk where they try to convince each other that everything is normal and OK with our current administration.

[NewbieJr 541]

It is good to see the lefties got together yesterday for their daily circle jerk where they try to convince each other that everything is normal and OK with our current administration.

You're the one who tried to make this an Obama issue then ran away like a little girl when asked to show proof of that or explain why. Just like you did when Nikki called you out on your MK Ultra nonsense. You love rattling off bullsh!t talking points until some one actually questions you on them.

[MDC 7,482]

It is good to see the lefties got together yesterday for their daily circle jerk where they try to convince each other that everything is normal and OK with our current administration.

 

We're united mostly by our belief that you're a senile old assclown. I think people of all political stripes can get on board with that.

[DankNuggs 305]

We're united mostly by our belief that you're a senile old assclown. I think people of all political stripes can get on board with that.

Rampant mismanagement, and the only response is 'bush did it too'

 

So juvenile. Wouldn't fly anywhere but .gov

[NewbieJr 541]

Rampant mismanagement, and the only response is 'bush did it too'

 

So juvenile. Wouldn't fly anywhere but .gov

You're becoming more and more like phurfur and RP.

 

You know this isn't an Obama issue. It's a problem in the country. It's a humans looking for handouts problem. The percentage of disability cases in relation to the unemployment rate, is on par to where it's always been. Yet, just like that retard, Phurfur, you want to jump on the Obama-is-bad bandwagon.

[MDC 7,482]

Rampant mismanagement, and the only response is 'bush did it too'

 

So juvenile. Wouldn't fly anywhere but .gov

 

When did I say Bush did it too? You can think Phur is a focking cack without picking a political side.

[penultimatestraw 473]

Most of you are confusing disability and workers comp.

 

Let's review:

 

I have a herniated disk in my lower back, which at times causes sciatica, which is an extreme pain. When I am experiencing bad sciatica, it's hard for me to do much of anything but lie down with ice on my back. 100% of the time I cannot stand for long periods of time, so I couldn't be a bar tender or a waiter.

 

I know about the nightmares veterans have. I understand it. I was in group therapy for a year after 9.11. There's something about seeing a bunch of people jump to their death on your way to work one day ... messes you up for good. I think I have PTSD, and likely am clinically a manic depressive (bi polar) but I have never been diagnosed as such. My brother's suicide also contributes to both of those things.

 

I applied for disability, took over a year, and was denied. Appealed, denied.

 

Even though I work for my Mom, and she understands that sometimes I just need to go lay down ... I'm really unable to work any full time job. Lately the sciatica has really been flaring up, and I am in constant pain. Prolly gonna file again, and hire a lawyer this time. I am not making any of this up.

 

Are there people scamming the system? Absolutely, and that's prolly why so many people that are legit disabled get denied.

What have you done to rehabilitate your back? Losing weight, working on flexibility and strengthening your paraspinous muscles all help.

[penultimatestraw 473]

While in principle I agree 100% If you were in that situation - I mean take a saw zall and cut your leg open as long as you didn't go tooooo deep - let it heal then claim Pysch. trama - get 80% of your pay rather than 40% - from unemployment. Then wait till the industry picks back up and say everything is fine. Something I don't agree with in principle but understand it if they are trying to help their family.

 

 

That said it must have been seriously painful taking a saw-zall to your thigh.

No I can't relate to someone gaming the system rather than trying to earn their money legitimately. There is no justifying the behavior your describe.

[drobeski 3,061]

Most of you are confusing disability and workers comp.

 

Let's review:

 

I have a herniated disk in my lower back, which at times causes sciatica, which is an extreme pain. When I am experiencing bad sciatica, it's hard for me to do much of anything but lie down with ice on my back. 100% of the time I cannot stand for long periods of time, so I couldn't be a bar tender or a waiter.

 

I know about the nightmares veterans have. I understand it. I was in group therapy for a year after 9.11. There's something about seeing a bunch of people jump to their death on your way to work one day ... messes you up for good. I think I have PTSD, and likely am clinically a manic depressive (bi polar) but I have never been diagnosed as such. My brother's suicide also contributes to both of those things.

 

I applied for disability, took over a year, and was denied. Appealed, denied.

 

Even though I work for my Mom, and she understands that sometimes I just need to go lay down ... I'm really unable to work any full time job. Lately the sciatica has really been flaring up, and I am in constant pain. Prolly gonna file again, and hire a lawyer this time. I am not making any of this up.

 

Are there people scamming the system? Absolutely, and that's prolly why so many people that are legit disabled get denied.

I have had 2 herniated disks in my neck repaired, that's right in my neck and my l5s1 is herniated also, i also have sciatica. I have never applied for or collected a check or assistance in any form, or workmans comp. ....bottom line is, you're a mooching lazy crybaby poosay

[SUXBNME 1,515]

You're becoming more and more like phurfur and RP.

 

You know this isn't an Obama issue. It's a problem in the country. It's a humans looking for handouts problem. The percentage of disability cases in relation to the unemployment rate, is on par to where it's always been. Yet, just like that retard, Phurfur, you want to jump on the Obama-is-bad bandwagon.

I don't know for a fact, but I'd be willing to bet that it is alot easier to get paid for falsely claiming disability during our current administration versus any time else in our history.

[SUXBNME 1,515]

I have had 2 herniated disks in my neck repaired, that's right in my neck and my l5s1 is herniated also, i also have sciatica. I have never applied for or collected a check or assistance in any form, or workmans comp. ....bottom line is, you're a mooching lazy crybaby poosay

If you're gonna lie, at least make it somewhat believable

[penultimatestraw 473]

I have had 2 herniated disks in my neck repaired, that's right in my neck and my l5s1 is herniated also, i also have sciatica. I have never applied for or collected a check or assistance in any form, or workmans comp. ....bottom line is, you're a mooching lazy crybaby poosay

Yeah, sciatica is super common. Hard to judge someone else's pain, but almost all can rehabilitate - if they try.

 

To be fair, it's a lot easier if you only have three vertebrae.

[NewbieJr 541]

I don't know for a fact, but I'd be willing to bet that it is alot easier to get paid for falsely claiming disability during our current administration versus any time else in our history.

Are you basing that on something or is it just your Obama-is-bad mindset coming out?

[Mike Honcho 5,294]

If you're gonna lie, at least make it somewhat believable