The Story That Everyone Missed-The Disability Industrial Complex

[peristaltor]

Just caught an episode of This American Life called "Unfit For Work: The Startling Rise Of Disability In America". It turns out those on disability don't get counted on the unemployment roles (since, of course, they are classed as unable to work).

Comments

[nicoli_dominn]

Even without watching the news (I actually do read it, but even if I didn't, I'd still see this), my job shows me much of what you're talking about here. I don't usually go into detail about my job with other people on the internet, just for reasons of confidentiality and paranoia, but I work for a state government agency directly with a lot of these same people who are affected by our labor economy. It's hard not to see what's going on when I see people living like this, day in and day out. All I can say is that it is symptomatic of a society that does not value its laborers and producers, and overworks them whenever possible rather than creating more jobs with more workable hours. It is also a symptom of employers who have grown lazy about assessing people's readiness for the jobs for which they are hiring, and who use college degrees as a screener even when the skills required to do the job do not require even an associate's degree. Plenty of potential applicants with just high school diplomas could have handled those jobs, but no

[peristaltor]

All I can say is that it is symptomatic of a society that does not value its laborers and producers, and overworks them whenever possible rather than creating more jobs with more workable hours.

Yup. We've pretty much all been in jobs like that. The managers dangle the "overtime=money" carrot and whip out the "Oh, it's not negotiable" stick. Which is why I refuse to go full-time at my work; mandatory 13-hour days (and nights), regular days off usually mid-week, at least for 10 years (when the seniority builds). I work 4 hours a day, but still manage to pay the mortgage. 'Cuz I'm Cheap!

And don't get me started on the 4/10 system. You need at least one of those three days off just to recover, so where's the advantage?

[peristaltor]

Some of the points you raise are very important. Would you mind if I quoted a few in a forum discussion? I could leave your LJ handle anonymous, if you like.

[nicoli_dominn]

Sure, no problem. I'd prefer to remain anonymous.

[csue_n_moo]

Of course, those of us in desk-bound chair jobs will still develop horrible back pain (and carpal tunnel syndrome, too, woo-hoo!) as I did because, and this is important, WE DID NOT EVOLVE TO SIT STILL ALL DAY.

I force myself to drink tea for caffeine because it forces me to get up and pee every once in a while. Otherwise it's just 8 hours of programming and data-kajiggering nonstop. And then my joints freeze in position. Whee! If I could figure out how to use a treadmill or stationary bike in my cube, I would.

And if you've been following my entries for years, you'll know that, even with a supposedly "good" health plan, I'm finding it harder and harder to get them to cover the medications that I need to function daily. I'm about ready to order generics from India. I may need to get some one-time throwaway credit cards with a $300 limit just for this overseas purpose... *sigh*