On Monday, Chuck Woolery (Twitter account still unverified) tweeted an article about the staggering 14 million Americans who receive disability assistance from the federal government each month.
Unfit for Work: The startling rise of disability in America via @planetmoney http://t.co/jvVZPqX6v3 A long piece but well worth reading.
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) March 25, 2013
More from the article:
The federal government spends more money each year on cash payments for disabled former workers than it spends on food stamps and welfare combined. Yet people relying on disability payments are often overlooked in discussions of the social safety net. People on federal disability do not work. Yet because they are not technically part of the labor force, they are not counted among the unemployed.
If you want to be poor the rest of your life, just go on disability. For many this seems O.K. Hidden from the ranks of unemployed.
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) March 25, 2013
The reporter notes that applications for disability rise and fall with the unemployment rate. Even NPR calls federal disability programs “a de facto welfare program for people without a lot of education or job skills.” Woolery, who’s had his share of legitimate health problems, couldn’t resist using some colorful language in his tweets about disability.
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Oh, I forgot, Aorta aneurysm. That should count for something. Man, I am a disability wet dream.
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) March 26, 2013
Sorry, couldn't resist. The dream part. Now where is that delete button?
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) March 26, 2013
So let me see. 17 yrs 4 way bypass, 15yrs aneurysm, 2 yrs stroke. So that was Home and family, Dating game, and Lingo. 3 shows ago.
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) March 26, 2013
I just realized what a complete medical mess I am. Still tickin. Just not as loud.
— Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) March 26, 2013
And may he keep on tickin’ for many years to come.
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