U.S. Gov. Budget and People with Disabilities
Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 2011/04/13 - Updated: 2022/04/21
Topic: Disability Political Editorials - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Representatives of this nation are preparing to cut funding for Medicare and Social Security, even though People with Disabilities represent every race, class, gender, and social identity in America.
• "... I will not allow Medicare to become a voucher program that leaves seniors at the mercy of the insurance industry, with a shrinking benefit to pay for rising costs." Somehow, I feel a lack of reassurance and comfort.
• Images of People with Disabilities, Seniors, Children, and Veterans with Disabilities waiting in line for health care or basic services related to health care are dancing in my head.
Introduction
President Obama stated that Social Security's retirement program is not in crisis. America is facing an incredible number of baby-boomers who will retire over the next decade or so.
Main Item
Mr. Obama also suggested that Social Security should be reformed for long-term results, something that seems to be a popular perspective among politicians these days; nearly as popular as the use of the word, 'reform.' The President's perspectives on Medicare were also expressed.
The Republicans in this administration have mentioned a term relating to both Medicare and Veterans that is highly upsetting; 'voucher.' A, 'voucher,' is a tiny piece of paper, one that entitles the person who has this slip of paper to goods or services. It is essentially a 'see you later,' form of receipt. Images of People with Disabilities, Seniors, Children, and Veterans with Disabilities waiting in line for health care or basic services related to health care are dancing in my head.
Mr. Obama has stated that he will not allow Medicare to become a voucher program, yet nothing concrete to ensure that this does not happen has taken place. President Obama stated, "I will preserve these health care programs as a promise we make to each other in this society. I will not allow Medicare to become a voucher program that leaves seniors at the mercy of the insurance industry, with a shrinking benefit to pay for rising costs." Somehow, I feel a lack of reassurance and comfort.
The Veterans of America are left to wonder what the representatives of America will do or not do next. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin actually presented himself before a group of veterans and suggested a plan to cut any veteran who does not have a service-related disability from VA health care to save money. Yes; that's right - Mr. Ryan, without regard for the service of these veterans, told them money is more valuable than them.
Representative Ryan would put people on Medicare on a voucher program in a hot second if he has things his way. For some reason, the representatives of this nation apparently cannot understand the fact that a great many veterans are on Medicare. They also seemingly have great difficulty understanding that a voucher program for health care is an incredibly demeaning and insulting; even prejudicial, perspective of People with Disabilities and Seniors.
One of the few Representatives I have any level of respect for, Tom Harkin, recently pointed out an alarming trend. Tom Harkin pointed out that greater than two-thirds of Americans with Disabilities are unemployed, and adults with disabilities are leaving the jobs they had at a rate ten times higher than their non-disabled peers. If non-disabled persons were leaving their jobs at such a rate, the corporations in America would be throwing screaming hissing fits. If non-disabled persons were unemployed at such a high rate, there would be riots in the streets of cities across this nation.
The employers in this nation are innocent in this matter, one can assume? We can make the assumption that of course no employer is, 'helping,' a person with disabilities to leave their job in favor of hiring someone else? So if we cannot find jobs, and we are being viewed as persons worthy of vouchers by half of the representatives of this government - what are we to do? How are we to take care of ourselves
People with Disabilities are the subject of political wiles, inequality, and incredibly ignorant perspectives on the parts of people who are supposed to be leading this nation. Representatives; even the President, refer to People with Disabilities under the age of sixty-five as, 'Seniors.' We experience the highest rate of unemployment in this nation - a rate that has always been the highest. Representatives of this nation are preparing to cut funding for Medicare and Social Security, even though People with Disabilities represent every race, class, gender, and social identity in America.
All I can do is state my opinion. In my opinion, America is in many ways just as hateful, bigoted, prejudiced, and ugly as it was when Dr. King was fighting for rights. One President and Administration after another has made mollifying attempts to appease People with Disabilities - not one has presented us with true equal rights that place us on an equal level with non-disabled persons in America. From the way things are going, it looks like this administration is no better than any in the past.
Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant Thomas has assisted people from a variety of racial, religious, gender, class, and age groups by providing care for people with all forms of disabilities from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson's; para and quadriplegia to Spina Bifida. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.