Federal Triangle: Waste, Fraud, and Abuse!

Welfare in America has long created a dependent class, done more to encourage voter appreciation at the ballot box in my jaundiced view, than for altruistic reasons. These welfare issues are important to American business; tax burdens to pay welfare dilutes response to the needs of a workforce requiring remedial aid for workers with poor work ethic, inadequate education, and no reverence for excellence. Of equal concern is the waste and fraud that the U.S. system of dependency has created. A major area to examine covers the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) which now disperses 14% of all SSA payments, $57 billion annually. A report on this topic by James M. Taylor, a Managing Editor at CCH Incorporated, tells a shocking tale of our nation in trouble, wrought by a prodigal government.

SSDI benefits are funded solely through social security taxes. To qualify, a person is supposed to have a medical condition of such severity as to result in functional limitation for years to preclude working in previous employment or "any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy." SSDI is for those completely incapable of working. Those finding it difficult to obtain work or unable to perform prior or preferred work are not eligible for benefits. However, as Taylor's study entitled "Facilitating Fraud" says, "Whether motivated by misguided altruism, political expediency, or bureaucratic indifference, SSA flagrantly disregards both the language and spirit of SSDI programs."