How cutting jobless benefits expands the deficit

[mawilson 2,133]

This is very depressing.

[DEDixon 39]

after clinton and the repub congress ended welfare as we used to knew it, SSI claims skyrocketed. SSI is the new welfare. and just like legal immigration, if you follow the rules laid out by gov't, you'll get your SSI. the federal gov't, which in this case is really just small little people working in little cubicles simply processing paper according to the law. they have case loads, they have to get them off their desk, if properly document claim is there, give it a stamp of approval and file it away!

no one can prove you aren't really depressed. if you don't work because you claim that you are too depressed to leave the house, you'll get approved. you only have to follow some basic rules when you begin working your way through the system. just like immigration, you can have a lawyer complete all of your paperwork for you.

the cool thing about SSI is that there is no follow up on your illness. once approved, you are on it until you decide to go back to work. say you start to work, they will send you a warning letter to stop working or else you won't get your SSI any longer.

lots of times, SSI doesn't pay enough for people to stay on it long term. the gov't expects, if you can work, you will do it to make better money. some people stay on SSI and work a job that pays cash.

for high earners though SSI payments aren't so low especially if you aren't materialistic (are frugal). my last statement from SSA read that i'd get 2050.00 if disabled today. i have a house that is paid off so 2050 a month with wife still working (haha) is plenty enough for us. thinking once i retire on disability, my wife will open a small business where i can work behind the scenes. LOL! no shame!

Edited July 7, 2010 by DEDixon

[peejay 327]

This is very depressing.

Depressing to everyone except for big government / nanny government Democratic party hacks like Steven and their ilk. When you get most of the country on the dole it assures they and their ilk will stay in political power into eternity. Who is going to vote to stop their own freeloading? They will suck from the government ####### 'till it runs dry. Then what will they do?

Kind of reminds me of the 1970's David Eddings novel "The Losers" in which the central character Raphael moves to Spokane, Washington, where he struggles to rebuild his identity and self-esteem in a society where government assistance programs encourage what he sees as a self-perpetuating loser mentality.

Having lived through and witnessed the 1970's first hand I can say it is a worthwhile read for the younger generation to contemplate. Fiction based on reality.

Edited July 7, 2010 by peejay