Wednesday, June 5, 2013

What's In It For Me?

THE LATEST ESTIMATE, (guess) is that the disability trust fund will run out of money in the year 2016, and the social security trust fund will run out in 2033. Get in line, everyone, get it while the gettin's good.  And that's exactly what we seem to do in america, get it while we can, get as much as we can for ourselves, without regard to anyone else.

If someone, anyone, were to step forward and say "my goal in life is to save sufficiently for retirement that I will never have to accept social security payments, that the money might go to someone more needy", the person would instantly be considered crazy, or stupid. How can anyone be crazy enough or stupid to pay into the social security fund throughout life, then seek to be independednt of its benefits in retierment, for the good of the country?

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." How horribly out of date JFK's admonition now seems, in our culture of "me first me only". I  have a family member who is on disability for...something mysterious...arthritis, fibro whatever....asthma, or something...who always seems up for a party, and does just fine throwing a baseball around. He breaks out his inhaler only when the word "work" is mentioned. This family member is indeed disabled, motivationally..

Millions of americans draw social security who coud get along quite well without it. Ditto disability. Currently roughly eleven million americans draw disability, and the line forms on the left, ever lengthening. Our disability system is nothing other than a back up unemployment insurance program.

My family member is perfectly capable, willing and able to sit in front of a computer for hours, browsing, surfing, social networking. Can you imagine what he could do in an office environment, with the proper software and a little training? Maybe, even get something done to help himself, help the rest of us, and remove a burden from society.

But then again, why would anyone even consider lifting a burden off our country's back - what's in it for me?

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