Millions of dollars are paid out in social security benefits. Millions of disabled people who could work, some with accommodation and some without, are stuck in the benefit system. But let me posit this scenario...
Millions of people with various disabilities were able to enter, or re-enter, the workforce. Instead of being paid every month by the government, and not being required to pay taxes, they were paid by employers and paid all the various taxes.
You would think this is a logical argument for better social services that, while they may cost more at the outset – though not by much – the millions of new tax paying citizens would offset that cost. With everyone worried about the future of social security, you’d think everyone would be interested in a scenario such as this.
I admit that I am an ardent fan of Sen. Obama (with a growing dislike of the Clinton machine)*, but I also try to be fair in my assessment of candidates. For years, people with disabilities have been barely a blink on politicians’ radars. This year, we are actually given a choice of candidates who address our issues.
Sen. Clinton addresses the issue of disabilities relating to health care. Plans that would help us get the quality and coverage we need, while also supporting in-home support services. But the plan is only associated with health care, and people with disabilities have a whole range of issues that don’t relate to that one (albeit huge) issue.
Sen. Obama’s plan, by comparison, has it’s own heading under the "issues" category. A whole page of what needs to be fixed, along with a video explaining his position and first- and second-hand knowledge of the issue. His plan, a downloadable 8-page outline, states the issues we have and what needs to be fixed. On his interactive site exists a group specifically to discuss his policy, a group where people with disabilities can explain their experiences and offer up suggestions on how to fix things.
Granted, disability rights are only one issue, and no one is served by being a single-issue voter. But, for myself and many others who have felt completely powerless with regard to the course of our own lives, this is the chance of a lifetime. It’s not the sole reason he’s got my support, I agree with the majority of his plans and policies, but it’s a pretty damn big one.
* I used to absolutely
love Bill Cinton and I still believe he was a great president, but his role in Hillary’s campaign has left me disillusioned.