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There's a difference between can't work, won't work

The Herald-Dispatch - 6/18/2017

We, as citizens of this land, have a moral code we have to live by, which is giving back to the people who gave to us, ensuring our next generation can reap the benefits.

In today's age, we have created certain programs designed to help those who are in need, commonly known as disability benefits.

However, some people have been able to abuse this system, mostly because our definition of "disability" has been stretched. Understand that when I use the word "abuse," I mean they have all the means of working like everyone else, yet they choose not to.

For example, some people who do not know how to read or write are on disability. Instead of giving an excuse not to work, put that money into getting them a teacher who will educate them. In doing so, they can then go back into the workforce.

In fact, claiming you do not know how to read or write is not a valid excuse. My mother did not know how to do either of those, and she still worked. And I'm sure your family did, as well, somewhere along the line.

Understand there are some people who truly desire to be on welfare because they were born with legitimate disabilities. However, we have people who exploit our system, which is causing us to waste our tax dollars on them and leaving less for those who actually need it. Today, there are more than 10.8 million Americans on Social Security Disability Insurance, with more than $129 billion spent on them.

To give you an idea of how much money that is, the federal Department of Transportation has a budget of $98.1 billion, according to its budget report from 2016. Now, keep in mind I am not claiming welfare fraud; in fact, data shows fraud is minuscule in our system. However, as stated before, our definition of who should get welfare is too loose.

As a doctor, I have had multiple patients tell me they are on disability because they do not know how to read or write - abilities anyone can acquire as long as they are taught. Why are we giving these people excuses and not investing to get them to learn? In fact, it raises another question: Why do we even have people who cannot read or write in our society? How are these people signing contracts and buying products that have warning labels on them?

I cannot understand how a person on disability can fish and hunt. On disability but can produce a child every year of unknown father. On disability but can buy street drugs and shoot it in to his or her body.

My advice to doctors, lawyers, judges and others involved in disability benefits, it's time for a new criterion: If you can do sex, you can work.

For those who injured themselves at work, it may be true that they cannot go back to the same job as before the injury. But the majority of them can do a less-demanding job compared to the previous one. But because of the difference in the income, they chose not to go back to the work force. If you're unable to perform your previous job and do not want to get another job, because, perhaps you'll have to take a pay cut. As a taxpayer, I'd much rather make up the difference of that pay cut than pay you to stay at home.

Of course, the answer to this dilemma is not easy, like all things in life. However, a change needs to happen. Disability benefits should be given to those who truly need it, not for those who chose to be incompetent.

Dr. Rida Mazagri is a neurosurgeon in Huntington and a professor at Marshall University'sJoan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

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