You are correct again. If you weren't disabled, you would be qualified for every job in America. Grow up and be realistic. We all see jobs that we aren't qualified to do. It is called LIFE.
What about all of the jobs you COULD do that you ignore. Get off of this idea of entitlement. I mentioned lots of handicapped people that WORK. I know many that would love your disability instead of theirs because at least they could WALK again. What stops you from doing what they are able to do? I don't think it is a physical blockage that stops you from gettign a job.
Don't you see how someone who goes to work every day can be upset by you saying you could work but you don't because the job doesn't sound fun? Many Americans are doing jobs they do not WANT to do so that other people can sit and not work at all even though they COULD hold down an earning job for themselves. How is any worker supposed to be HAPPY with that scenario. You are the one that takes it personally when I attack the welfare system. If it bothers you so much, get a job. You already admitted multiple times that you COULD hold down some jobs. I wasn't even talking about you in any of the recent posts, but, of course, everything has to be egocentric around you and your alter ego at least in your mind.
What about the people that already do that? What about the healthy people that work in the oil field risking life and limb every day? What about people that drive long commutes to work and see deadly car crashes (that could have been them) on a regular basis? What about all these OTHER people that risk their future health to work today to pay taxes? Why do you THINK you have the right to NOT work for some potential future health while you don't mind getting tax dollars from all of these people that risk THEIR life and health to pay those taxes?
Why is YOUR health more important than theirs?
That is misdirection and I sure hope you are really intelligent enough to know it. Nobody says you choose to be disabled for a free ride. That would be an asinine thought. What I am saying is what you have said more than once already: you CHOOSE not to work because you don't want to work....and the fact that you CAN get disability makes that possible. If you CAN work, but don't....well, how can you call that anything BUT taking advantage of the system? Disability really should be reserved for those that can't work. Period.
THAT is something I will pay with a smile. When people need it, I am MORE than happy to pay to help them. Beyond just tax dollars. When people who could do for themselves drain the system, then I am not happy.
Look at it this way. If there was no disability check. You could get a job and survive. You just wouldn't be happy, and you'd risk your future. That sounds like most other Americans. Since you could, why don't you? Aren't you 22? I assume you graduated at 18. Have you made any progress towards any educational degree or even vocational training? Have you tried to become trained for a job you can do? If not, I really would like to hear why not. I know their are federal grants to help with that, and I believe you'd be an excellent candidate for some. Again, few people complain about paying taxes that end up helping people improve themselves. I never have complained about THOSE taxes.
Earned, Mike. I have the luxuries I have earned. I'm upset about my earnings that are TAKEN from me to give to people that CAN work but don't because it doesn't sound like something that would be FUN. I am MORE than happy to give to those that really need help. Those that CAN do for themselves but do not do for themselves don't deserve help.
If I am "filled with resentment and envy for what," it is for what is stolen from me to give it to those that don't need it and didn't earn it. It's called thievery. It doesn't matter if the government does it or a person does it: it is thievery. I have no problem helping those that NEED it, but if you CAN work (as you have already said you could), then you don't NEED it, do you? You WANT it because you CHOOSE not to work. THAT is the difference.
I have no problems with you because you are disabled. I actually feel sorry for you for that. My problems come in where you admit all the things you COULD do, but you STILL take the free check because that is "easier" than working.
This is the first time I am reading this thread so... I guess you can blame me for speaking out of the blue.
However, I think that your perception of disability is very limited... and you are apparently enjoying a good quality of life which you rightfully owned, but you expect everyone to put in the same effort to get there.
That unto itself makes sense.
However, from your post, one could glean that handicapped people should work to sustain themselves- even at the cost of their personal happiness.
I have to disagree.
Disabled people do not suffer from just physical handicaps, these disabilities have very real emotional and psychological affects.
You are not in the position to judge who can, or can't work, and in what job.
IF a disabled person has the ability to "stand on his own two feet", and I do not speak of just the physical ability to word- but the mental capacity to deal with it, AND advance to a station where he can have a quality of life- than yes, your post is absolutely right.
However, getting there, for some, takes time. People should not live by the standards set by one individual. As long as you haven't experienced(and I pray you never shall) or gotten to understand the nature of said disability more thoroughly, I think that it would be best to refrain from judging.
I'll try and give an example which I think works well here.
Here in Israel, being drafted is mandatory.
Now... you have a choice of sorts- do I want to serve in a combat unit or not. Sometimes, no one asks you and you're in it... but you can always make sure you leave. It may take you a bit but eventually you will manage.
I was in the armored corps and you know what? you don't have to be an athlete to be a tank crew member. It's not too complicated either (we're working with the Merkava tank which is rather modern even compared to the American Abrahm's- and I can tell you, it doesn't take much mental capacity either). ANYONE can physically do it... however, I can't blame people who decide to quit, or not join a combat unit, even though I served in one.
Sure, most people CAN do it physically. But mentally, dealing with it, is a wholly different.
There's a vast difference between physical and mental capacity to lead a certain way of life.
If a handicapped person CAN work at a lousy job, with no advancement opportunities, that person is doomed to a very low quality of life.
We all have to start somewhere, yes. The key difference is, that some handicapped while physically able, will remain in the same low position jobs while other "healthier" people will get ahead and "earn their place and luxuries".
Also bear in mind that it is quite likely that a handicapped individual has to put 200% effort to get the result a healthy man would made. That's not a way to lead a life.
I agree with some of what you said mate. But as with all things, there's no black and white. You do not know the case, you are in a good place in life.
Me... I work my butt off today and have served in the army for 3 years, very realistically putting my life on the line (we get paid around 200$ a month as soldiers by the way. That's not a salary, that's... pocket money at best... so it's not like we were really paid).
But, I simply give thanks for the fact that I CAN work, that I did have the ability to serve as I did. Some are less fortunate for reasons I will never be able to truly understand without being them. So I reserve my judgment for when it is relevant.
I will still be paying taxes, this won't change, and you know what? I am fine with it helping someone have a better life if his life is a struggle.
I don't think it's fair, I don't think that a handicapped person should be forced to work his entire life in a crappy job most of us would be doing for only a short period of time before moving on. I refuse to be so cold.
I have earned my own money, and I am positive that the people who cannot do so feel bad enough about it as it is. There's something fundamentally sad about not being able to sustain yourself properly and enjoy life- these people are in enough pain as it is for me to add my own judgment.
And those who abuse it... what goes around comes around.
Look KJUN, I can understand the overall basis of your concern for government assistance programs, but you seriously need to try looking through the eyes of someone else. You aren't "helping" people with your tax dollars, and need to not be so arrogant as to think you are some hard working helping hand. You can misconstrue my situation all you want, but it really makes you sound like a heartless jerk. I work hard everyday, very little which is fun. I am not sitting back thieving money from the system, I literally could not have a quality life without the assistance. Do you pave the road you live on, arrest the law breakers, feed the needy, etc... NO you do not. Why should I suffer a dead end job based on discrimination? My friend who is perfectly able bodied can't find a job right now, and he has years of work experience with jobs I wouldn't be hired to do. If I get turned down to jobs based on discrimination, how is it my fault? I'm not being so nit picky as to only accept a job that's fun, I just don't think I should be subjected to minimum wage pay for a job that will limit the physical activity I need to survive.
I also have a friend who is disabled, and he helps manage his father's restaurant. He still gets SSI on top of decent wage, and has a job that helps his progression as a more physically able individual. Even if I found that low paying telemarketing job, I would still get SSI. It's not a matter of accepting a handout, or working. It's a matter of living a quality life, in which I need my SSI to survive. I don't need to hear your ignorant statements about how you know disabled people that would love my disability, you are not them, and they are not me. How can you judge my disability when you know nothing about it. You've accumulated through our discussions that I can walk, and do occasional odd jobs to make extra money (very occasional). I know that if you had my disability you would also need the assistance I receive, and that's really all I need to know. All of the other super hero, hard working, mother Theresa helping hand, blah, blah, blah is ridiculous.
I don't need your support, and you don't need to have an open mind. All I care about is surviving and having quality moments in my life, none of which requires thieving your paycheck. You're just as much a Gov't handout as anyone else, you are just too self righteous to realize it. The physical attributes you were born with have determined your lively hood, and the Gov't pays top dollar to someone like you, whereas I am expected to scrounge jobs and fight discrimination for a whopping $600 a month. I have never heard anyone be so insensitive to any groups welfare as you, and I should hope you never have to learn through experience how blind you really are.
Honestly, if you were to get into a car crash today which left you unable to walk right, you fatigued in hours, woke up in pain everyday, were fired from your original job to start new, but were turned down by every other job, would you use your mighty will power and not accept SSI? The answer is obviously NO, you would not deny the assistance you would need to survive. God forbid you are ever rendered to have the physical limitations I do, but it might serve you right.
Michael, first allow me to share my condolences. I was not aware you were handicapped and I hope it is not too severe.
I am in no position to judge. I can only say however that your post does come off as if you're "giving up" on yourself... that you're allowing yourself to live this way even though you have a choice.
I think that at your age... the world is yours for the taking.
No, you do not need to feel guilty about receiving help. However I do think that it is your responsibility to look at this as an opportunity to build a better life for yourself- be it through education or whatever.
The ability to sustain yourself is one of the most basic and rewarding things in the world and you should not deny yourself of that. I think it will bring you satisfaction.
Life is not all about happiness. We all have to work(as much as we can, we are not all equal in that regard).
If you are already on your way to do that- wonderful.
If not...
I can only say from personal experience that I would not want to live my life on the money of others if I could avoid it. To at least try.
You SHOULD NOT feel guilty, for you have nothing to feel guilty about.
From what Iv'e seen you have a lot to contribute and offer to the world. We all have gifts and talents we can share with the world, in our own unique way, limited though it may be.
It will bring you immense satisfaction IMHO
Be grateful for this opportunity to be able take the time and focus on honing these talents and acquire a profession that will make you happy - it's truly a blessed opportunity, Don't squander it.
I hope no one took offense and that I didn't babble too much
